The War Within

I've been thinking quit a bit lately on the idea of the internal war mentioned within Galatians 5:17. People will often quote Paul saying that he struggles to do the things he knows are right, however, this seems to be mentioned in reference to a "nobody's perfect" mentality. God didn't leave us without an understanding of what it looks like to walk in the flesh or in the Spirit. Just look at verses 19-21 for a full mp to the locations of nearly every sinful production of the wicked desires of our hearts. Yet, look still at vv. 22-24 to see what life lived in the Spirit produces within us. Our desires are not necessarily sinful, it is the heart behind them and the actions that flow out of them that are sinful.

Even looking at the list in vv. 19-21, desires or cravings of the sinful nature are not just sexual or financial. They’re anything you want more than the living God. These are your god-substitutes—what you worship instead of God (idols). There is only one thing to do when you feel trapped by your response to trouble. You turn. You go and sin no more. You die to self, pick up your cross and follow him. Easier said than done, but if we walk in the Spirit, the power to do what we are called to do has already been supplied and all we need do, is return again and again to the power bestowed on us by our Heavenly Father to fulfill His commands.

I love the way that James Montgomery Boice explains it in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary:

"Life by the Spirit is neither legalism nor license—nor a middle way between them. It is a life of faith and love that is above all of these false ways. Being led by the Spirit does not imply passivity but rather the need to allow oneself to be led. Responding to the Spirit is described by three mutually interpreting words in Galatians 5:16, 18, and 25—“walk”, “led,” and “live."

Walk in the Spirit. Be led by the Spirit. Live in the Spirit.

Literally, we are to have Spirit-filled, Christ centered, God honoring lives.

Today

"For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,," Psalm 95:7-8

At these historical places Israel had acted shamelessly against the Lord (cf. Exod 17:1–7; Num 20:1–13). Despite God saving Israel, they questioned and tested the Lord, much like you and I do. Verses 1 and 2 call us to remember his works of salvation in our lives and to let our praise and gratitude to flow out of that. When I'm grateful, I might ask for more, but I'm recognizing what has already been given and contentment flows out of that. 

Psalm 95 speaks volumes about how great our redeemer is, but also about what He has done. he has been patient and long suffering. This is because real love is persistent and God loves His children. We also are called to be long suffering with the idle, timid, and weak. That means we are to warn, encourage, and help one another for a really, really long time! Change does not happen in us or others overnight. 

God knows our past mistakes. He knows how we have failed Him before, but there is so much grace in that word "Today" in verse 7. If he calls on you to do something today, do it and know that your heavenly Father loves you and is for you. Move forward, past fear, into obedience.