Continuing my study of Galatians 5:16-17, I am focusing today on the last part of v. 17. Scroll down to read the entire verse in context, also because I want you to read Jimmy Davis’s very helpful comments on that post which help us understand even better the difference between the “flesh” and the “sinful nature.”
“They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want.”
Keller says that the “desires” of the sinful nature is the Greek word epithumia, which translates literally into “over-desires” or “inordinate longings.” It is not desire which is bad – it is taking a good thing and making it the key to your salvation: “I’ll die if I don’t have a date to the prom.” “I must have the constant approval of my co-workers[fill in the blank.]” These would be examples of taking desires for good things and making them the driving force of our lives.
Here’s the good news – the Spirit is in us, and it creates desires too. And guess what, these desires are even more powerful than the “over-desires.” What we really want, or desire, is what the Spirit wants. What does the Spirit want? To “glorify Christ” (John 16:14). The Spirit wants to reveal Christ and to make us more like Christ.
And that’s good news. Because even with “flesh” or “sinful nature” bent toward wanting what we think will make us happy or safe or powerful, as Christians, we have new hearts that want what we were really made for – to glorify God and to enjoy God. To love others more than we love ourselves. To give rather than take. To say, “I will be sad if I don’t have a date to the prom, but I won’t die, because God will dance with me.” To know, God’s approval is unfailing because I have Christ’s righteousness and thank God, I don’t have to work work work to please my co-workers, boss, friends, spouse, children.”
Let’s live today asking the Spirit to help us live the way we really want to live.
