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\u201cI say then: \u00a0Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.\u201d\u00a0 Galatians 5:16\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n In Galatians 5<\/strong>, Paul warns us that without a fight, we will do what comes naturally \u2013 following our own heart\u2019s sinful inclinations and ultimately submitting to the folly of our own desires and influence. By doing so, we will not only experience the natural outcomes of our choice that lead towards destructive behavior, but we will also lose our heavenly inheritance.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The great news is that as followers of Jesus, we do not have to live life that way!\u00a0 We can live a life guided by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 When the Holy Spirit directs and influences our decisions, our character will reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So, how do we allow the Holy Spirit to direct our lives and influence our decisions?\u00a0 Later in the passage, Paul says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature and its passions and desires, and he urges us that <\/span><\/span>\u201cSince we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.<\/strong>\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/span> (Galatians 5:24<\/strong>).\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Submit to the Holy Spirit\u2019s influence: Let him be your Master, set your pace, and be your life manager.\u00a0 Let him refine, correct, and discipline you. Live your life for him \u2013 under his influence, supervision and power.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Real freedom is letting the Lord win the battle for control of your life.\u00a0 Fight for freedom!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Father, I want to keep in step with your Holy Spirit, with you in charge of my life.\u00a0Search my heart, correct me and bring me into alignment with your heart and will.\u00a0Thank you that as Galatians 2:20<\/strong> says \u201cI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.\u00a0The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me<\/strong>.\u201d Amen.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n By Donna Mitchell<\/a> \u2022 Fight, Flight, Freeze \u2026or Faith?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Fight\u00a0Like Jesus\u00a0Fights<\/a>\u00a0 \u2013<\/strong> by Jon Walker<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a08 Verses to Remember that God is\u00a0Fighting<\/b>\u00a0for You<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 by Laura Rath<\/p>\n RECEIVE These Devotionals in your INBOX Daily: <\/strong>\u00a0FOLLOW THIS Link to Subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Us On:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a> \u2022\u00a0Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nA raging battle exists within every believer: our own sinful nature versus the desires of the Holy Spirit. Who will win?<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Used by Permission<\/p>\n\nFURTHER READING<\/span><\/h3>\n