“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.”

Galatians 5:16-17
Though most anyone you talk with on the street would tell you people are basically good, the truth is the human heart and mind are basically evil (see Jeremiah 17:9). Sin taints every part of us and creation. Our history books record episodes of human wickedness vastly beyond the pure beauty that existed in the very beginning of time.

But God knows us better than we know ourselves. He looks deep within our hearts and minds. “All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean,’” Jesus said in Mark 7:23. Paul describes our sinful nature, then points us to the life-changing fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), all of which have been lived out perfectly for us in Jesus.

Those who trust God are like a tree whose roots tap into underground channels of water, one that “does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green” (Jeremiah 17:8). Hope is found in the deep nourishment of our faith in Christ, so that out of His glorious riches He strengthens us in our inner being (see Ephesians 3:16). There is hope!



Scripture Focus

Galatians 5:16-26

Insight

God created us for Himself and only He can ultimately satisfy the inner man in heart and mind.

Bible In A Year

  • 2 Samuel 20-21
  • Psalm 146
  • 1 Timothy 1-2

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