The next two verses explain that it is because the flesh always goes against the (Holy) Spirit, they are always in opposition to each other. But further down the same chapter it says that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” That means on the day the believer lets Jesus be his LORD and SAVIOR and asks Him to dwell in his heart his life in the Spirit begins (the new life – he is born-again) and he also promises not to continue to sin but to crucify the flesh, just as Jesus was crucified on the cross. Earlier in this Book of Galatians the apostle Paul declared, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” The moment the person turns around from his old ways to believing in Christ and making the decision to let Jesus be LORD and SAVIOR of his life the Holy Spirit comes into the person’s heart and helps him to live a life obedient to God, not out of fear for the Law (the Ten Commandments and all the Old Testament teachings that come with it and their punishments) but because the Holy Spirit sets him free from the bondage of the sinful human nature and gives him the freedom to walk with Him, the Spirit of Jesus, resulting in the fruits of the Holy Spirit being evident in his life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control – the complete opposite of the sinful nature. It is important to note that this kind of life is lived “by faith” in Jesus Christ – can the person believe that with Jesus in his heart he can actually crucify the flesh because of the resurrection power of Jesus that will start working in his life when he decides to let Him be LORD and SAVIOR of his life? It could mean a daily crucifying of the flesh, with the help of God, until it ceases to be a struggle. This is what “walk by the Spirit” means.
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Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible, Bible App by YouVersion.com
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Art courtesy of YouVersion Bible app. I am using the Bible App by YouVersion.com for my daily devotion. Download it now for your mobile device. https://j794q.app.goo.gl/nd4yPrGj7Hbhy9Kk8
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