August 22, 2024 -- Galatians 5:16-17 -- Fighting Desires and Fulfilling Right Desires

 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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 5:16-17 ESV

The Wednesday night Bible Study is examining the Word of God to learn what appropriate boundaries God has placed around sexuality. The study material is a video series based on Christopher Yuan’s book “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel”. Tangled into the world’s distorted view of sex and desire and orientation is a mishmash of definitions. Yuan suggests it is important to keep Biblical categories, not the world’s categories, to help understand God’s will and direction for His holy people.

Instead of orientation (which is not in the Bible) or same-sex attraction (also a worldly expression, not in the Bible), Yuan teaches that the word “desire” is appropriate. If one’s desire, when acted upon, leads a believer to act in ways that are contrary to God’s clearly stated rule for life, then it is a sinful desire. If a desire builds healthy community, leading the believer in the path of God’s commands, which are for the benefit and blessing of His people, then they are appropriate desires.

Thus, same-sex desires, and all the variations which are promoted as acceptable in this world today, are by definition sinful desires. They encourage the flesh to remain in rebellion against God and His commands. It is critical that church leaders and folks who follow Jesus get this right. The world is hijacking the conversation, but it is the Heavenly Father Who made all people, Who has the right to tell people how to live.

Prior to the Fall, when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, their desires were all good. They were created good. However, they rebelled against God’s command and ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Sin is a corruption that affects the inmost part of every man and woman. Sin clouds the judgment of all people. Sin has so polluted man’s understanding that he can not distinguish right from wrong without the Word of God and the Spirit of God’s powerful presence. One’s natural inclination, or desire, is for sin. Therefore, when Christ takes hold of the Christian, he must in the power of the Spirit distinguish right desires from wrong desires.

To walk by the Spirit is to pray, asking for the Spirit’s help in all decisions. Praying also to be conscience when temptations are near and to be alert to flee temptation and run to the power of the Holy Spirit so that all temptations are crushed before they get too powerful. To walk by the Spirit is to be committed to reading the Bible and planting its truth deep within. As the Psalmist wrote, “I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:11.

Yuan writes “A spiritual battle is raging ‘between God’s Spirit and the impulse to sin'. This impulse no longer enslaves the believer, but it can still have an influence. We therefore face a daily fight” (page 71). And, sadly, many fall into temptation and sin. Do not despair. The great promise of God is everyone who confesses his sins will be forgiven! Confess your sins. Find deep Christian community where you can talk about the struggles of your heart and flesh. Most importantly, deep Christian community also encourages walking together in the spiritual path of obedience to God’s commands.

Following God’s commands is not dreadful duty, it is in fact, affirming the new life that belongs to every believer. You are not struggling alone. That is the lie of the great deceiver, the Devil. No! You are under the watchful, loving gaze of your Heavenly Father. Jesus, Your King and High Priest, prays for You. The Spirit of God lives inside you, ready to help you fight every temptation. The Triune God, forever living in deep and rich community as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, give to you the blessings of Christian community, where you can experience the joy of following Jesus together.

O LORD our God, under the shadow of Your wings let us hope. You will support us, both when we are young, and even to gray hairs. When our strength is from You, it is strength; but, when our own, it is feebleness. We return to You, O Lord, that from their weariness, our souls may rise towards You, leaning on the things which You have created, and passing onto You Yourself, Who has wonderfully made them; for with You is refreshment and true strength. Amen.

Prayer of St. Augustine

https://youtu.be/io8GX4zMemg?si=85HkL3ZsEAI9USZC “Weary Traveler”