January 13—Walk in the Spirit—Galatians 5:16.

Walk in the Spirit.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16.

What is “the lust of the flesh”? 1John 2:16 says it is something that comes from the world not from the Father.

Physical Cravings
This can include gluttony, sexual immorality, or substance abuse (Galatians 5:19-21). Though physical appetites themselves are part of human life, they become destructive when pursued outside the boundaries God has established.
Emotional and Mental Desires
Jealousy, anger, bitterness, and uncontrolled ambition can also be considered outworkings of the flesh. These attitudes-if left unchecked-lead us to relational conflict and spiritual distance from God.
Idolatrous Pursuits
The lust of the flesh compels us to make gods out of pleasure, comfort, or self-gratification. Any time we elevate a desire or habit to a position above God, it becomes an idol (Exodus 20:3).

Lust is a strong physical desire to gratify the flesh. It can be a physical, emotional, or mental craving that if pursued beyond the boundaries that God sets for us to live a normal, godly life, can be sinful and destructive to our well-being spiritually, physically and mentally. That is why Paul is saying if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh, because the Holy Spirit will give us the strength, we need to overcome those desires that could become sinful. The Spirit will lead us away from temptations and false teachers that might cause us to stumble into sin. That is why we daily need to walk in the Spirit, so we keep our focus on the things of God and not on the world.

Now the practices of the [a]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 Amplified Bible.

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