Sinful Nature v. Spirit

Published on by Sarah E. Cooley

So, more recently, God has been showing me how the flesh is weak! These verses keep popping into my life one way or another. In class, I was told to look up my favorite verse. It happens to be in Galatians 5, so I looked it up and read down the chapter happening upon verses 16 through 18.

Galatians 5:16-18
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”

Those hit me pretty hard. Then reading further into the chapter was 19- 26. WOW.

Galatians 5:19-26
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”

These verses were not only convicting, but were inspiring and hopeful! I want to have the fruit of the spirit! I’m tired of the acts of the sinful nature! They only weigh me down!!

Reading into the next chapter verses 7-10 really stood out to me!

Galatians 6:7-10
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

It is definitely true that we reap what we sow! In the past, when I have been living in sin, I reaped the acts of the sinful nature, which eventually sucked the joy right out of my life, along with all the other fruits of the spirit. It became an endless cycle of grief and pain. But God kindly and patiently reminds us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

If we stay on the right path, good will come to us. It might not be in this life. (I’m sure that God delights in giving you things in this life, but its not guaranteed.) But, it is definitely guaranteed when we get the opportunity to see Jesus’ face. In my opinion, that is the BEST gift I could ever get!!

These verses will constantly be tested in my life, but I hope to show in the next couple months that I have applied them to my life!

To Be Continued… =)

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