One of the most precious morsels of Good News "bread" in Galatians is almost hidden there. It's a message from heaven to encourage your tempted soul. It's Galatians 5:17 (GNB): "What our human nature wants [KJV = "flesh"] is opposed to what the [Holy] Spirit wants, and what the [Holy] Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature ["flesh"] wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do."
The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but if we read it backwards from what it says, it can be made to tell us Bad News. And that's what has happened with this text. People read it as though it says you cannot do the GOOD things you would like to do because of this constant enmity of the flesh against the Holy Spirit. So they feel doomed to endless defeat, and sincerely believe the Bible agrees with them. "I've been smoking two packs a day for years and I want to quit but I can't! The 'flesh' is too strong!" Or, "I'm an alcoholic; my 'flesh' craves another drink, and the craving is so great I can't help giving in!" Or, "My sexual lust is so strong I can't keep clean! The 'flesh' is master of my life!"
They have Galatians 5:17 exactly backwards! Look at verse 16: "Let the [Holy] Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature." Or better still, the KJV: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh." It's as if Paul says, "Go for a walk letting the Holy Spirit hold you by the hand and I guarantee you will not give in to those sinful desires of the flesh, because the Holy Spirit, the mighty Third Person of the Godhead, is stronger than your flesh!"
If you see what Paul is telling you in Galatians about what it cost the Son of God to save you from eternal hell, how He died your second death and condemned sin in your flesh (and mine!), even though your flesh tries to entice you to sin, you can't do it, because the Holy Spirit is stronger! Now, THAT'S Good News!
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 17, 1998.
Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them tosubscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/dailybread/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
To un-subscribe click on this link: Unsubscribe me from this contact list
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
