by Jerry Senn
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Here Paul is drawing attention to the sufficiency of the Holy Spirit to overcome the flesh. “If you walk by the Spirit, you will in no way, not a chance, absolutely not fulfill the desires of the flesh!” (Todd Wilson).
This is an amazing promise! In our efforts to overcome our natural inclination to submit to sinful desires, Paul is fully assured of our victory over the flesh, if we submit our lives to the leadership of God’s Spirit.
The flesh is strong, as we all know. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:17).
We must fully believe the Spirit is stronger and He will most certainly ensure our victory over the flesh. “It isn’t about willpower, but the Spirit’s empowerment” (Todd Wilson).
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25a).
But the Holy Spirit does not work in a vacuum. He uses the Word of God, prayer, worship, and the fellowship of believers to build us up in Christ. The believer who spends time daily in the Word and prayer, and who yields to the Spirit’s working, is going to enjoy freedom from sins of the flesh.
“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man (or woman) who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.”
(Henry Varley)