The War Zone

by Jerry Lewis

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

galatians 5:17

The Spirit is God’s agent of prevention.  Without the Spirit, no one knows what you might have done by now.  The Spirit “keeps you from doing the things you want to do.”  Someone has already irritated you this morning.  You want to tell them about it.  The Spirit says “no.”

Why is He qualified to speak to such matters?  He knows their heart–you don’t.  He knows what kind of morning they had–you don’t.  He knows them and He knows you.

This is why the war within shouldn’t catch us by surprise.  As a matter of fact, if you can continue in sin without the war, you’re in trouble.  The ability to sin uninhibited points to the absence of the Spirit in your life.  If the Holy Spirit isn’t preventing you from sinning, He will not also prevent you from spending eternity in Hell.  The Spirit who drew you to Jesus is the same Spirit who will prevent you from sinning.

What a great gift we have in the Spirit.

Father, thank you for the gift of the Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank you that you reside in me, that since I’ve been born again, I’ve never again been alone. Thank you that I walk with a traveling companion, with someone by my side (thank you Jesus!) and someone inside (thank you Holy Spirit!). Help me to listen today, to trust, to obey, to do what you’re calling me to do. In Jesus’ strong name. Amen.