Live by the Spirit | Anchored in Hope Devotions

Everything in the life of a Christian comes down to a battle between two opposing forces.

On one side of the arena we have the Spirit, pushing us to live a life that reflects our Savior, Jesus Christ. This Spirit from which we were sealed (Ephesians 1:13), when we put our faith in Christ, is in the process of transforming us into the image of Christ.

Philippians 1:6 says “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

On the other side of the arena is our former partner in crime, the flesh. We are no longer bound to follow his commands (Romans 6:11-18). Yet, the flesh, despite having no authority, still acts as if he owns all of us. He tempts us to do the very thing we wish not to do, now that we follow the Spirit.

Romans 7:18 says “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”

If there was any question as to the difference between what the flesh wants and what the Spirit wants, Paul addresses this very clearly in his letter to the Galatians, a church rampant with fleshly living.

Galatians 5:19-24 says “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

So, believer, since you are no longer under the flesh (Romans 8:9-11), what must you do?

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)

This week, seek to keep in step with the Spirit, following the criteria of Philippians 4:8, which will be the topic of next week’s devotional.

- Ramiro D. Franco