A Spiritual Life: A SOAP Journal Based on Galatians 5

S = Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25

“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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

O = Walking is a common and appropriate metaphor for life. If we walk/live by the Spirit—if it is the Spirit that is operating in than through us—we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Here “flesh” is not used in the sense of the physical body but in the sense of the sinful self-will.  This chapter makes it clear that what is in us quickly shows in our attitudes and actions like some kind of spiritual Gatorade ad. The Spirit doesn’t lead us back under the law either (v.18) for there can be no limits placed on what the Spirit produces in us (v.22-23).

A = So what is oozing out of my life today, self or Spirit? Do I process life through the “I’ll-get-mine” or the “I’m his” approaches? Today I want to allow the Holy Spirit to simply do what he does—in me, and through me. I know I can’t produce spiritual fruit on my own. I confess that from the beginning. I simply say no to the sinful nature and say yes to the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:12-14)…but not out of some kind of sanctified self-effort. I desire to let the Spirit operate in me relationally…I want to walk with the Lord in response to his love for me. He is much better company than I can rustle up on my own (5:19-21)!

P = O Lord, you know how strange your ways seem to us as we walk in the midst of a world made toxic by our twisted desire to focus on ourselves. So please turn our hearts to see as you see, to think as you think, and to walk as you walk…together by the Spirit. Today I need to be filled afresh with your presence, not only for my sake but for my family’s sake, and ultimately for the sake of your good name. Lord, please detoxify my system again today and empower me to shape my culture for the sake of your kingdom.  Amen.