Today's Reading: Galatians 5:16-24

Daily Lectionary: 2 Kings 4:48-5:8; Ephesians 6:1-24

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)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Well at least you don't have to say, "The devil made me do it." No, Paul explains why you think what you think, say what you say and do what you. Your sinful nature is at war with the new creation in Christ. Your sinful flesh fights against the Spirit and so you know the right thing to do but don't do it. It's why you don't love God and your neighbor like you should.

Now understand something: If you were on your own, your flesh would win. You don't have the free will to choose to love God and others. You are born into the slavery of sin and were it not for Christ, that's all you would do.

But you have been given the Holy Spirit. Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead and sent the Spirit into the world wherever His Gospel is preached. You have that Spirit by your Baptism into Christ and because you hear God's Word preached and taught.

And the Spirit isn't just there to be a cheerleader so you can overcome your sinful nature with a little nudge or push. No, the Spirit is there to remind you that this victory over your sinful nature has already been won. The Spirit is there to stand you before God as holy and perfect in His sight, not a sinner at all, because of Jesus.

Your flesh hates that. It hates that it can't do whatever it wants and so it tries to anyway. It hates the news that it will be once and for all gone some day and so it rebels. But know this: Your sinful flesh is done for. Even when it gets the best of you in this life, its works have been wiped out by the blood of Jesus.

And the fruit of the Spirit is. . . well. . . fruit, meaning you don't have to come up with it yourself. The Spirit grows and cultivates it in you by His Word and working. That means that your whole life is under the care and direction of the Holy Spirit, whose job it is to keep you in Jesus. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you, O Christians lest the foe destroy you; For Satan has designed your fall. Wield God's Word, the weapon glorious; Against all foes be thus victorious, For God protects you from them all. Fear not the hordes of hell, Here is Emmanuel. Hail the Savior! The strong foes yield To Christ, our shield, And we, the victors hold the field. ("Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You" LSB 668, st.1)