DAD'S DAILY BREAD

16 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. Gal 5:16–17

This verse is a great reminder that everything you do has the opportunity to feed the Spirit or you could be feeding your flesh. But it is never doing both at the same time. Because they are in opposition with each other. Every action has a reaction. Even something good like providing for your family can turn into motives under the surface that end up only feeding your flesh. Your flesh can disguise itself as something good. Something that feels good and feels right usually ends up feeding an idol you have in your heart. Feeding envious and jealous motives that are created when you live in a world that is constantly racing to have more and better things.

A big one for me is my pride. Sometimes after work I will return home and when I feel like I’m not appreciated or respected I can instantly have a bad attitude and start to be unloving and harsh towards my family. In my mind I feel like I have been serving them all day and I deserve to be treated a certain way. When I should be serving the Lord first in everything I do. Regardless of how I feel. How can I be serving the Lord and at the same time allowing my feelings to dictate how I treat my family? In reality I am making it all about me. Serving myself and feeding my flesh. Sometimes I cant even see it until the Lord breaks through and shows me what I’m doing. The more time I spend in God’s Word the easier it is for me to recognize when I’m feeding my flesh.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:22–24

The Bible can show you your motives. The best way I have found to expose what side I’m feeding is by measuring it with scripture. Am I living and acting out the fruits of the spirit or am I selfishly, self absorbed and focusing on myself. All it takes is to read those few verses and you can see what side you’re feeding. Be honest with yourself and be quick to ask for forgiveness! I am at a time in my life where the Lord has helped to destroy most of the large life dominating sins but that doesn’t mean the battle is won. Envy, pride, anger, comfort, jealousy and dissensions are all sins that lead to death. It is a daily battle so never give up and never stop fighting to be more like Christ! Thank you Lord for everything You do, every second of my life, to help me fight against my flesh! May You give me the strength to be victorious and to bring You all the glory. You are God and i am not. Help me to serve Your Spirit at all times even when It doesn’t feel good.

APPLICATION:

Read my Bible. Morning and night. Don’t react to my feelings but go back to scripture every time I feel uneasy. Don’t let my feelings dictate anything I do. Trust the Lord and not myself! Be humble and thankful at all times. Stay in the Word and pray all day long!

IN HIS NAME