The Spirit

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

Our pastor is doing a series on the Holy Spirit. It has proved most thought provoking - fairly simple, yet complicated too. Today in my daily Bible reading I ran across this passage and I thought of the sermon yesterday. There was an illustration that likened us to a runner. You're running as fast as you can, and your body says, "You should really slow down. I'm tired - STOP ALREADY!!!!" But your competitive nature says, "No, lookit that guy's ahead! Get him! Get him! Catch him!"

It's the same way with our flesh and the Spirit. "the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature." They are at battle! I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. BUT the sinful nature has been crucified! If we belong to Christ, it no longer has any control over us! Let us keep in step with the Spirit!