“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5 NIV)
Devotion determines desire.
Devotion to the flesh produces sin and eventual death. Yet devotion to the Spirit produces holiness, eventual life and and peace.
We must ask ourselves, what am I devoted to?
“So I say walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NIV)
Desires of the flesh include sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, faction and envy, drunkenness and orgies. Resist the urge to let your eyes slide over the list without truly examining your heart. I read it aloud and my troubleshoots light up like indicators on a dashboard. My flesh drags me towards death every day, if I allow it.
If we keep reading, though, we’ll find the desires of the Spirit, listed as familiar fruit: love, joy peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We take one look at this list and realize our deep need of the Holy Spirit’s help in cultivating this sort of produce from the branches of our lives. He alone can redirect our desires.
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us stay in step with the Spirit.”
(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
Lord, help us stay in step with You. Redirect our desires toward life not death. Even now, as we are in our homes, tug our hearts in Your direction. Grow godly fruit in our branches today. Amen.