ICS Daily Devotions
Living a Spirit-Controlled Life
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Amplified Bible: But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
Walking in the Spirit is a Spirit-controlled life where we yield to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, teachings and making conscious decisions to be Spirit led. We do not allow the flesh or the carnal nature to take control and we remind ourselves that we have been crucified with Christ. We remind ourselves that our old man is dead and sin has no more power over us!
The flesh is the human nature, the sum of appetite that wants to live a life independent of God. It is the old man trying to have dominion and influence again.
Romans 6:13,18 (AMP) Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.18.And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).
We begin to allow the NEW OPERATIVE ORDER TAKE CONTROL! CHRIST IN US! THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE.
What is the work of the flesh?
Gal 5:19-21a Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[b] drunkenness, revelries
We are able to overcome the flesh by choosing to walk or yield to the Spirit, which is the newness of life in Christ Jesus!
For the singles and especially the young adults: the media and many other voices will be tempting you with the idea of cohabitation, fornication and idolizing a culture of no moral absolutes, and with no commitments needed in a relationship.
When we walk in the Spirit, it means having the fruit of the Spirit of self-control and patience to keep ourselves pure so that we can start the marriage right.
We are able to overcome temptation and live a godly life by living from the inside out! God has given us His precious promises. He has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness THEREFORE we need to take hold of the promise and live from the inside out by walking in the Spirit! Say No to cohabitation, no to staying in the same room while on holidays before marriage and the temptation to commit fornication.
For the married couples: individualism will always attempt to creep back into our marriage if we are not careful. Selfish ambitions are a sign of individualism where we want our own ways without considering or consulting with our spouse.
Sometimes, married couples stay together for the sake of their children, and as soon as their children leave for college or start their career, they file for a divorce. The works of the flesh are unresolved issues that lead to unforgiveness, contentions, hatred, jealousies, and outbursts of wrath.
Do not allow offense, anger, hurt, unforgiveness to linger otherwise it will lead to bitterness and ultimately result in a strained relationship. We are to choose to forgive quickly and embrace each other with love! When the devil tries to kill, steal and destroy, we need to choose to cling to each other and forgive immediately! DON’T LET THE SUNSET by procrastinating. Walk in the Spirit to forgive and experience the wonderful feeling of reconciliation, a breakthrough and a release from emotional entanglement.
Walking in the Spirit, in this case, is to allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit to flow from the inside out.
When we are offended by words and actions, we should allow love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and gentleness to cover the multitude of sins in the marriage relationship. LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.
We can overcome the flesh that constantly wants to act up whenever we are offended by words, actions, and attitudes from our spouse by living our lives from the inside out!
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
For those who have a lifestyle of drinking and revelries that lead to drunkenness, you can overcome it with the fruit of the Holy Spirit by having self-control because you are a new creation in Christ Jesus. It is choosing to be yielded to the new operative power to overcome the habit of drinking or addiction to drugs!
For those who are tempted by pornography, sexual sin or in committing adultery, you need to know that you can overcome the temptation and live in constant victory if you choose to live your life from the inside out. And continuously, remind yourself that you are a new creation in Christ, created in true holiness and godliness. Walking in the Spirit means to allow self-control to rule in our lives and live from the inside out.
Sermon Series: Principle of Sowing and Reaping
