In Galatians 5:16-18, we read ... " walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Many read this and they are taken aback. They suddenly feel like pawns and not as Christians ready to move out in the name of the Lord.
For this reason, a study in the Word is necessary. And, if one is just born again, it can be difficult to understand what it means to live in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Especially, when we read the same verse in the ISV, NET, NIV,NLT or ESV, we read different wordage.
International Standard Version
For what the flesh wants is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, and so you do not do what you want to do.
NET Bible
For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.
New International Version
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
New Living Translation
The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
English Standard Version
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.
When you are born again, born of the Spirit, you never want to do what you hate. You want to do what you want and that is what He wants. Most people read the Bible in the flesh and not in the Spirit. The last two are written in the Spirit. How? Because, they recognize that once born again one is born of the Spirit, and one who is born of the Spirit is of Christ and is guided by His Light and not the flesh.
Yet, some are still hindered by the flesh which is always in conflict with the Spirit in this fallen world. Because of that, they are hindered in their ability to carry out their Spirit filled intentions, they are kept from doing the Spirit filled things they want to do. They are kept in place by people/things of the flesh: by fear, doubt, material things, comfort of place, and even to include family.
Paul immediately proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, but was met with hesitation in Damascus and he nearly escaped death. In Galatians we read how three years after his conversion he went to Jerusalem... not knowing what he would meet there. In Romans specifically, we read that Paul struggled with those two forces (Spirit/flesh) and that he found himself doing what he hated and not what he wanted to do.
What did he want to do? He wanted to spread the Gospel but he stayed put for very long time. When he finally moved out from his staying put, he was doing what he was called to do in the Spirit, what he wanted to do - spread the Word, the Good News!
He was resurrected in Christ, he walked by faith and not by sight. He embraced the Kingdom within him.
Too many will still interpret Galatians in the flesh. They will continue to do what they hate and not what they want to do. They will continue to cling, to be afraid, and to stay put...
In the Old Testament context Paul would have had to wait to be directed and work according to the Jewish law. When we read about Paul and his conversion, waiting was nothing he wanted to do. Paul was not directed as man thinks of it. He was resurrected in the Spirit in the body of Christ. He immediately went out to preach the Good News!
He is the vine, we are the branches! ...Walk by the Spirit, and You will Not Carry out the Desire of the Flesh!" ~ Galatians 5:16.
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