Daily Devotions - God’s Spirit and Our Own Desires

Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV)
16 So I say, walk 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. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.

 

Is the crucifixion of the sinful nature done to or by the Christian?

 

Jesus, thank You, that when I came to faith in You and accepted Your gift of Grace, I was justified and made right in Your sight. My sinful nature was crucified with You and Your divine nature was given to me. Thank You that all these wonderful changes initially took place in the spiritual world. I was changed and saved for eternity. You then gave me the Holy Spirit to reveal Your divine nature in the way I think, feel, talk and act. My old way of life, which was controlled by my sinful nature continues to be transformed as my new way of life, controlled by the new divine nature, continues to grow. Through Your Holy Spirit, You are working in every circumstance to lead me to die to my sinful desires. As I am guided by Your Spirit my selfish thoughts and choices have less power over me. Your Spirit and my desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other. This is a challenging process that will not be complete until You take me home to glory. Continue to have patience with me and help me to get stronger as my sinful desires continue to get weaker and I want to conform to Your Holy nature.  Holy Spirit, transform the way I live to reveal Your fruits in my life so as to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, and demonstrate self-control. Guide me to use Your nature to love and serve others and to share the precious story of Your saving Grace. Keep me in step with Your Spirit to bring You glory. I am thankful to You and praise Your Everlasting, Mighty, and Holy Name. Amen