For Spirit or Self? // Galatians 5:24

Galatians 5 gives us a powerful parallel for what it means to live for the flesh or live for God. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). The Apostle Paul contrasts this by saying this is what life is like when we live for God: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). This leads us directly to today’s verse when we read that we need to crucify the desires of our flesh. Friends, crucifixion is an awful means of execution. It is brutal and intended to be a spectacle. The awful nature of crucifixion points to the dangerous results of our sin. When we surrender to God, and see the horror of our sin, then Christ’s holiness is made plain for us. The Lord’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy will transform us and resurrect us from the acts of the flesh. Then, may we allow our passions and desires to shift from self to Spirit as we commit to serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.