Galatians – Week 10 – Day 3

Galatians 5:16-18 

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 

Paul contrasted the works of the sinful nature to the work of the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer (see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30). Notice that these two forces in the believer’s life fight each other. The believer in Jesus is to be sensitive to the nudging of the Holy Spirit to do what honors Jesus rather than what dishonors Him. 

REFLECT 

Is it news to you that the Holy Spirit lives in you?  

RESPOND 

Talk with a Christian friend about the importance of the indwelling Holy Spirit in each believer. While Jesus was on earth, He promised that after He left He would send the Holy Spirit who would be in believers (see John 14:16-17).