THE PATH

Galatians 5: 16-17 “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.” NLT

Everyone wants to know if they are on the right path in life and sometimes it becomes downright fuzzy as to where we are. There is a difference between the path dominated by the Flesh(Our own abilities and desires) or a path influenced and orchestrated by the Spirit of God. Oftentimes I am asked “How can I know if I’m walking according to my flesh (Own abilities and desires) or if I’m walking in the Spirit?” (His ability and His desires) The Bible has drawn a very clear line of distinction regarding the two:

FLESH:

Galatians 5:19 “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.”

The Message translation states the same verse this way: “It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community.

SPIRIT:

Galatians 5:22 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.” The Message says it this way: “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Isn’t it time to pause and reflect on whether you are pursuing Your own agenda or God’s? I know if you’re reading this blog, you love God in the best way you know how. Aren’t you tired of running your own affairs and ending up in the muck and mire time after time?

Romans 8: 13-14 sums it up in this manner: “For if you live according to the flesh (your ability and desires) you (or areas of your life) will die; but if by the Spirit (His ability and His desires) you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

It’s time for you to ask God daily and even moment by moment to take over ALL the affairs of your life (Even the ones you think you are able to handle!). Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 “ Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

He says that first we must come to Him, and Take His yoke (His ability and His desires). Next we let Him teach us the way of life and in this we will find the rest we seek. Joshua 1:8-9 “This Book…shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Take time today to run to the Lord and ask Him to take over your own willpower and infuse your path with His ability. Phillipians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."