Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Galatians 5 and Psalm 136

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh … ¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

It is very easy to misunderstand the freedom we have been given in Christ, and to think that this freedom somehow gives us the right to sin.” On the contrary, this freedom is the Spirit-given desire and ability to do what is pleasing to God.

Our new life in Christ is a matter of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. From within us, the Spirit leads us in new and Christlike ways of thinking, acting, speaking and relating to others. We are not bound to some sort of external law that obliges us to live in certain ways for fear of punishment. Instead the Spirit within us transforms our desires. He inspires us, moves us, and empowers us to live in the new Way of Christlikeness.

In this new life of Spirit-led freedom, our part is to remain constantly open, sensitive and yielded to the Person and work of the Holy Spirit within us. When we live with this yieldedness, we may find Him guiding us in paths we feel unable to follow Him down, but we can rest assured – where He leads, He will empower us to follow.

Life Application: In the words of Galatians 5:²⁵ “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Stay deliberately sensitive to the Holy Spirit within you today. In every situation, quietly ask, “Holy Spirit what is Your pleasure? What is Your desire?” Then step out in obedience in His strength.