I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire
WEEK 36
LONGING FOR THE FRUIT OF THE
SPIRIT
GALATIANS 5:16-26
I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
OUR FATHER, Your Word makes it clear
there are only two ways to live: by the flesh or by Your Spirit. One is sinful and the other holy. One represents those who are without hope and without You;
the other is characteristic of those who belong to You. Empower us by Your Spirit to be people
who are loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful, and self-restrained. Since we live by the Spirit—our spiritual life comes from Him—
we beg You to help us walk daily in His strength. Anything less is neither worthy of You
nor consistent with our new nature as Christians.
You, our God, are the source of all life. We were by nature dead in trespasses and sins,
in bondage to the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind— children of wrath.1
You alone could redeem us from the curse of our sin. Even now we stand in desperate need
of Your mercy and grace, and we are thankful
that You are slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.2
We yield ourselves up to You as living sacrifices.3
We rightly belong to You—all of us;
every aspect of our being— body, soul, spirit, intellect, will, and affections. Grant that we would have purified minds
to seek and obey divine truth. Give us cleansed hearts to love You better. Give us right spirits to serve You more faithfully. And give us a new disposition that desires Your will rather than our own.
O gracious Father, hear our prayer and empower us to live
in a way that gives honor
to the One who has given salvation so freely to us! Let not our vision of Christ be clouded or blurred
whether by deliberate sin or by careless negligence. May we not trifle away our lives
in foolish or worldly pursuits. May we instead make the most of every opportunity
for service, ministry, and worship. Take us by the hand to keep us from stumbling.
Never allow us to do anything that would cause
Your truth to be obscured, Your people to be injured, Your name to be dishonored, Your Spirit to be grieved, or Your Son to be blasphemed. May all our labors be useful
to accomplish Your will on earth as it is in heaven.4
Keep us ever mindful of the grace that drew us to Christ,
the blood that cleanses us, the righteousness that justifies us, and the truth that sanctifies us. We long to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength—
but to do that we need the Spirit. May He control us completely so that we live for Your glory,
to the praise of Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
1. Ephesians 2:1-3 2. Psalm 145:8 3. Romans 12:1-2 4. Matthew 6:10