The struggle is real — but so is the Spirit.
Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Galatians 5:17: “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Paul does not hide the reality
of the Christian life.
After assuring us that there is no condemnation
for those who are in Christ (Day 9),
he now tells us why the struggle continues:
The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict.
Galatians 5:16 leads directly into today’s verse:
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Paul then explains why that command is so necessary:
“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh…”
The believer lives with two opposing desires:
• The flesh, which pulls us toward self centeredness, sin, and old patterns.
• The Spirit, who draws us toward Christ, righteousness, and newness of life.
These two are not neutral.
They are not compatible.
They are not cooperative.
They are contrary to one another.
This means the tension you feel is not a sign of spiritual failure.
It is the normal experience of every believer who has been made alive in Christ.
Those in the world do not feel this conflict
in the same way;
they can only follow the flesh.
But you,
as a member of the Body of Christ,
have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
You are free to choose differently.
In society, laws are necessary because the human heart is sinful.
But in the Body of Christ, we are not governed by external rules.
We are guided by the Spirit who lives within us.
The old nature still resides in our flesh,
but we are no longer bound to obey it.
We can walk in the Spirit
and choose the things that please God.
Dear brothers and sisters, the path of grace is not always bright and easy.
There will be days when the flesh presses hard.
There will be moments when the old nature whispers loudly.
There will be seasons when the struggle feels intense.
Yet the presence of this conflict is evidence that the Spirit is at work in you.
The struggle itself is a sign of life.
Hold fast to the gospel of grace.
Trust the Spirit’s quiet leading.
And remember: the conflict is real — but so is the Spirit.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ga 5:17.
Meditation:
The flesh pulls, but the Spirit leads — and the Spirit is stronger.
Reflection Question:
Where do you most clearly sense the pull between the flesh and the Spirit in your daily walk?