Sucker Punch – Conquering Addiction - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (ESV)
Anyone who knows me knows that I love to learn. I’m a lifelong learner and I’m constantly reading. I surround myself with folks that can teach me new skill sets and I prefer TV shows that educate rather than entertain. Although I love to learn, I hated school as a kid. I was a terrible student and my grades reflected it. But there was one school day of the year I loved: Field Day! Near the end of the school year, the faculty and staff would arrange a day for all the students to participate in outdoor games. There were plenty of activities including the three-legged race, sack race, wheelbarrow race, the obstacle course, and tug of war.
I always played tug of war. Our goal was to get our opponent to cross the center line or pull them down completely. We would line up, grab the rope, plant our feet, and pull with all our might. My teammates behind me would pull me back, while our opponents would pull me forward. I usually lined up somewhere near the front while the biggest and strongest kid was usually in the back. He would act as an anchor for the entire team and would pull all of us to safety.
In Galatians 5:16-17 Paul writes, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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.”
In this life, it is as if we are all caught in a very real game of tug of war. The desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are at odds with each other. We may try to keep our feet firmly planted, but we are being pulled back and forth. The desires of the flesh pull us toward our demise, while the desires of the Spirit pull us to victory. With Christ as our anchor, victory is certain.
REFLECTION
Do you ever feel as though you are caught in a spiritual game of tug of war, being pulled back and forth by your desires? Pray today for the Holy Spirit to lead you so that you may not gratify the flesh and to show you where you should obey.