Led of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-18)

2024-07-03

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (Galatians 5:17-18)

This is much like our inner war of Romans 7:7-25. This time, though, it is our flesh warring against the Holy Spirit. We have Spirit-given desires to do things for the Lord, but we cannot find a way to do them. In fact, we find ourselves battling the Holy Spirit rather than submitting to Him.

But what can we do? It appears the flesh must be out of the way, which it is by way of crucifixion. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25). With the flesh crucified, we are free to follow the Spirit’s lead.

Why do we still heed the flesh, then? It (or shall we say, “we”?) still speaks from the grave, and we obey it. But we would not have to. By faith, we believe the old man crucified and therefore powerless, and by faith we now can yield to the Spirit’s call.