“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.  But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.  Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

I love the book of Galatians.  I am reading through it again right now for the 3rd or 4th time.  Every time I read it, God gives me new insights about life and his character.  Paul starts out by talking about faith, freedom and now our lives living by the Spirit.

He writes, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” – Galatians 5:16

What kinds of things are part of our sinful nature?

He explains this as well, “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and other sins like these.” – Galatians 5:19-21

Jesus wants us to stay away from these areas to protect us.  To protect our hearts.  He knows that these are only temporary pleasures that can lead to big hurts and ultimately not the fulfillment we desire.

By following the Holy Spirit, we will start to take on more characteristics of Jesus.  And “the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!” – Galatians 5:22-23

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” – Galatians 5:24-25

We must pray everyday for the Holy Spirit to guide us on the right path.  We’re gonna mess up, that is certain, but we don’t have to feel bad about it.  We are human.  Jesus already paid the price for our sins so all we have to do is humbly ask for forgiveness and it is ours.