The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practise.

Romans 7:19

Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16

An African Christian once visited a missionary because a constant struggle in his heart worried him. He was desirous of doing God's will, but could not be obedient. He thought he was inclined to do evil, just as he was earlier before he became a Christian. The man described his inner conflict as a "dogfight", telling the missionary, "It's as if a black dog and a white dog never stop attacking each other." The black dog, so said the African, was the wicked one, and the white dog the good one. "And which dog wins the fight?" asked the missionary. After some thought the man replied, "The dog that I feed."

That simple Christian had considered the matter carefully. He had come very close to the answer that the epistle to the Galatians as to this problem: "Walk in the Spirit." That is the way to feed the "correct dog".

The verse does not say that we should walk in the Spirit and try not to fulfil the lust of the flesh, but that we "shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh". The result of conduct that is according to the Spirit is assured.

The apostle Paul shows the Galatians that for all who belong to Christ "the flesh with its passions and desires" found its end at the cross (v. 24). The believer is no longer "in the flesh but in the Spirit" (Romans 8, 9). Paul argues therefore: "If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the spirit" (v. 25).

A Christian's behaviour must stem from the fact that the Spirit of God is both the source and power of our life.

Good Seed Calendar, February 24/06