You Didn’t Fall… You Drifted | The Spirit vs Flesh Battle
- meetgodattheedgeof
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Galatians 5:16-17
[16] If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires. [17] The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.
Enemies.
Sometimes when I read the Word of God, I like to check out different versions. Some I don’t really click with, but others resonate with me on a deeper level. I really connected to this particular version of the verses, and I felt like the Lord led me to it.
My usual version says the Spirit and my desires are opposite—like the Spirit wants me to do one thing and I want to do another. But this version really cuts through to the core of things.
If our desires are not aligned with the Lord’s, then they are essentially the enemy of the Spirit.
Wow.
That hits different.
As a follower of God, the opposite of Him—or being associated with the enemy—is the last place I want any part of what I do to be. I admit, I’m naturally a little self-centered, and it’s easy for me to want to use what I receive for myself.
And that’s exactly where the Spirit vs flesh battle shows up.
But thankfully, our Heavenly Father knows us well and understands that we’ll struggle with this. He provides everything we need each day to overcome that selfishness and get back on track with His will.
Have you ever been here?
You’re leaning into the Lord during a struggle, but once He provides and you make it through… you almost forget all about it.
Right back to old spending habits or old eating habits—like a dog returns to its vomit.
That’s the reality of the Spirit vs flesh battle. It doesn’t just disappear after one victory.
Rely on the Lord, not your own strength. You are not strong enough, nor equipped, to fight a spiritual battle on your own.
Set boundaries—and stick to them. Staying away from things that trigger that selfishness will help when you’re relying on the Lord for strength.
When those desires creep up, let’s turn to prayer, Scripture, and focusing on godly thoughts—all while remembering how you got here and who brought you across that Jordan.
Because this Spirit vs flesh battle isn’t won by trying harder…
It’s won by staying aligned with Him.
Renew your mind.
Ephesians 4:21-24
[21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
