Our sinful nature makes it natural for us to live wrong, but the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit can empower us to live right. This is how it happens:
1. We overcome our sinful desires by the Spirit’s power working in us.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. The acts of the sinful nature 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 5:16, 19-21)
a. As born-again believers, we do struggle with our sinful nature, which could be overcome by choosing to live by the Spirit (v. 16).
b. As believers, we overcome our sinful nature not only by the Spirit’s power, but also by crucifying our sinful nature (Gal. 2:20; 5:24).
2. We produce Christlike character by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us (Gal. 5:22-23).
a. The clustered fruit of the Spirit pictures Christ’s character in us.
b. The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in us as we remain in Christ (John 15:1-8).
Insight for living:
As you live your daily life, do you overcome the desires of your sinful nature through identification with Christ’s crucifixion (Gal. 2:20; 5:24), and through living by the Spirit as our guide (Rom 8:14; Gal. 5:16)? How do you rate yourself in light of this Bible meditation? What are you challenged to do and to be in order to live right?
