Galatians 5:17 NIV
“For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”
Always being on guard and alert in our spirits is important, even when all is good and settled in and around us. The Scriptures give us at least two reasons for that. Firstly, the Word says, “…be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming” (Mat 24:42 AMP). Yes, without any doubt, “…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 The 4:16-17 NKJV). Hallelujah!
The thought of that reality should keep us alert and govern how we live to the honour of God every day. Secondly, the Word says, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8 AMP). The devil is a defeated enemy but still unchained and not yet shut up in the bottomless pit (Rev 20). How does he “devour”? The devil does that primarily through deception; for he “…does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (Joh 8:44 NKJV).
Regarding the foregoing, having a personal knowledge of the truth of God’s word—to counter the lies of the devil—cannot be overemphasized. Beyond that, acting or standing firm on the truth we know, regardless of who agrees or disagrees with us, is even more important; as most of the disagreement often comes from within our own selves. Yes, as in our reference text, we ought to be aware that “…the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (Gal 5:17 NIV). Thankfully, in both cases for being alert, the Spirit of God is our ever-present Helper. Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel