Spirit Over Flesh – Thriving in Godly Character
Image courtesy of : PierceDesigns
Devotional by J.Pierce
Read Time:
8-10 minute read.
Prayer:
"Heavenly Father, we come before You with hearts open to Your Word. Teach us today what it means to live by Your Spirit and not by the flesh. Help us understand the depth of Your love and grace as we seek to grow in godly character. May Your Spirit transform our hearts, minds, and actions, so we can reflect the beauty of Your holiness. In Yeshua's name, we pray. Amen."
Introduction:
Every day, we face a battle within ourselves—the choice between living according to our fleshly desires or walking in step with the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:19-21, paints a vivid picture of this contrast. On one side are the "works of the flesh," which lead to brokenness and separation from God. On the other side, the Spirit produces godly character that leads to life, peace, and joy.
In this devotional, we will explore what it means to choose "Spirit over flesh," and how we can thrive in godly character through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Exploration:
Galatians 5:19-21, 22-23 (NRSV):
"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
"By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things."
Deep Dive: Understanding the Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit
The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is something every believer experiences. The "flesh" represents our natural human tendencies, driven by selfish desires, sinful inclinations, and a life disconnected from God's Spirit. These tendencies lead to behaviors such as anger, envy, jealousy, and immorality, all of which tear down relationships and hinder spiritual growth.
On the other hand, the "Spirit" represents the life-transforming presence of God within us. When we walk by the Spirit, we produce qualities like love, joy, and peace—evidence of a life aligned with God's will.
Paul's list of the "works of the flesh" is not exhaustive but gives us a clear sense of the behaviors that arise when we live apart from God's Spirit. These actions reflect a life that is inwardly broken, filled with conflict, and disconnected from the peace that comes from walking with God.
Relatable Scenario: Choosing Between Flesh and Spirit
Imagine a moment of conflict in your day-to-day life—perhaps with a family member, co-worker, or friend. A heated argument begins, and you feel anger rising within you. Your flesh wants to lash out, to let the other person know how deeply they’ve hurt you. You’re tempted to use harsh words or walk away in bitterness.
In that moment, you are faced with a choice. Will you allow the flesh to lead, responding in anger and pride? Or will you pause, invite the Holy Spirit to take control, and respond with gentleness and self-control? Walking in the Spirit doesn’t come naturally, but through His power, we can respond with love, patience, and humility—even in the most challenging moments.
Core Message: Thriving in Godly Character
Paul’s message is clear: to thrive in godly character, we must make a daily, conscious choice to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. We are not left alone in this struggle—God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and empower us to live in ways that please Him. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives that reflects God's own nature: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Unlike the fragmented and destructive works of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit grows together as a unified whole. As we abide in God’s Spirit, we begin to see these qualities develop and flourish in our lives. This fruit not only blesses us but also overflows into our relationships, fostering harmony and reflecting the love of Christ to the world.
Life Stories: From Brokenness to Blessing
Consider the testimony of a person struggling with bitterness and resentment. After a painful betrayal by a close friend, their life was marked by anger and strife, leading to division in many areas. Yet, as they began to seek God in prayer, the Holy Spirit started working in their heart, transforming the anger into forgiveness and the bitterness into peace. Over time, they were able to extend grace to the one who had wronged them, and their relationships were restored.
This story reminds us that no matter how deeply we may be entangled in the works of the flesh, God can restore us through the power of His Spirit. He can take our brokenness and turn it into blessing, shaping us to reflect His character.
Common Experiences: The Flesh at Work
We all encounter moments when the works of the flesh rear their ugly heads in our lives—perhaps it's the jealousy we feel when someone else gets the recognition we crave, or the anger that boils up when things don’t go our way. These moments serve as opportunities for us to pause, reflect, and invite the Spirit to guide our actions.
The good news is that we are not bound to the flesh. In Christ, we have been set free to live by the Spirit. Each time we choose the Spirit over the flesh, we take one more step toward thriving in godly character.
Everyday Challenges: Walking in the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit is not a one-time decision; it's a daily surrender. Every day, we face small and large choices that determine whether we will allow the flesh or the Spirit to lead. It's in these moments—when no one is watching—that our character is truly shaped.
Consider your day: Are there areas where the flesh is trying to gain control? Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you in those moments, guiding you to choose love over envy, peace over anger, and patience over frustration.
Reflection & Application:
Take a moment to reflect on the "works of the flesh" that Paul mentions in Galatians 5:19-21. Are there any of these behaviors that you recognize in your own life? What steps can you take to surrender these areas to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them into something life-giving?
Application:
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Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal areas where the flesh may still be at work.
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Memorize Galatians 5:22-23, meditating on the fruit of the Spirit and asking the Lord to cultivate these qualities in your life.
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Practice pausing before reacting in moments of stress or conflict, inviting the Spirit to guide your response.
Closing Prayer:
"Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, who enables us to walk in godly character. We acknowledge the areas of our lives where the flesh still tries to lead us, and we surrender them to You. Help us to choose the Spirit over the flesh in every decision, every conversation, and every challenge we face. May Your love, peace, and joy fill our hearts, and may our lives reflect the beauty of Your holiness. In Yeshua’s precious name, Amen."
Further Study:
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Romans 8:1-14 – A deeper exploration of living by the Spirit and not by the flesh.
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Ephesians 4:22-24 – Putting off the old self and putting on the new self in Christ.
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John 15:1-8 – The importance of abiding in Christ to bear fruit.
Concluding Thoughts:
Choosing the Spirit over the flesh is not easy, but it is the path to true freedom and godly character. As we daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, He shapes us to reflect more of God’s nature, allowing us to thrive in all aspects of life. May we continue to walk in step with the Spirit, bearing fruit that glorifies God and blesses those around us.
We are faced with decisions and choices daily, choosing the direction is our privilege. When we choose Spirit over Flesh it shows discipline and growth, allowing the Holy Spirit to control the situation and build Godly Character within us. The Holy Spirit teaches us patience and to look beyond the situation and the power to overcome the challenges... (The Flesh Not So)