Today's reading

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 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. –Galatians 5:16-26 NIV

January 24, 2019

Live in Freedom: Fruit of Living in Freedom

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 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. –Galatians 5:16-26 NIV

Have you ever participated in a tug-of-war? As far as sports go, it’s all about a test of strength. The fortitude of the team you’re on determines whether you win or lose. The strong grip and steadfast grit from each participant is the momentous sway for the winning team.Like a physical tug-a-war that takes place between two opposing teams, a spiritual one takes place in believers’ lives. The difference is that the conflict takes place between our flesh and God’s Spirit within us. When we yield and live by way of God’s Holy Spirit, the flesh is crucified and loses its grip on the things that are not of God. On the contrary, every time we give in to our flesh and dabble in sins of darkness, such as those listed in Galatians 5:19-21, we’re pulled into the pit and realm of darkness and become captive to the enemy of our soul.The two fruits of the Holy Spirit that will help you overcome the desires of the flesh and instead live by way of the Spirit are the fruits of faithfulness and self-control. When you remain faithful to God and exercise the fruit of self-control, you keep in step with the Spirit and walk in perpetual freedom. Every time your soul—mind, will, and emotions—yields to the Spirit rather than giving sway to the flesh, you become spiritually stronger. Fasting and prayer helps you crucify the flesh and experience the fruit of living in freedom.

prayer focuses

Praise God for giving you the strength of His indwelling Spirit.

Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to stand strong against ungodly desires of the flesh.

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about the

Author

2019 Revolution Contributors

Devotions for Bayside Community Church's 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting are written and edited by: Gloria Shrock, Barbara Alpert, Dan Richards, Dave Thomas, Kate Hahn, Carol Lewis, Traci Bray, Lisa Christy, Rosemary Valentino, Liz Shirey, Angela Shears, and Kris Rowland.

With content direction and final edits made by Bayside's discipleship and creative teams.