“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24

In Step with the Spirit

I’ve been telling the Lord for some time that I’d like to write about “sin.” Why? Well, I just keep sinning, particularly in the area of overeating. It’s so frustrating!

Here’s what happens—an emotional trigger occurs in my life: anger, sadness, loneliness, stress, menopause, you fill in the blank. All calls to indulge in something, anything to feel better, whether it’s chocolate or a juicy piece of pie smothered in melty ice cream. Yum! Sure, I can blame it on the pandemic, but I’m getting a muffin-top that won’t quit! (Muffin-top: slang for that curvy roll that spills over the top of the britches—pretty sure Jesus didn’t have one.)

I was crying out to the Lord, who, by the way and by His grace, loves me with or without a muffin-top. Why, why, oh why can’t I get a grip on this? Sometimes I seem worse than ever about feeding my flesh by indulging in unhealthy foods. We know God designed our bodies to require food, and even gave us tastebuds to enjoy it, so obviously we can’t quit eating. But personally, I need a re-training, a re-vamping, a re-volution in my eating habits. My life!

Remember that funny little action song we all tried to do in unison as kids,”The Hokey Pokey”? “You put your right foot in, you put your right foot out” and eventually everyone tried to “shake it all about”! Kids were all over the place trying to keep in step. Comical. I had the realization that often I’m like that little ditty in my walk with the Lord: my arms are flailing, my legs are going every which way, and there’s a “whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on” as I try to follow the Leader.

“So I say, 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. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want” (Galatians 5:16). Wow. No wonder I’m shakin’ and quakin’ all over the place.

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14). Now there’s where I blow it; I’m allowing myself to think way too much about foods that aren’t that good for me. The Lord tries to lead us toward healthy foods that will keep these bodies in it for the long haul.

I know from personal experience that guilt and condemnation camp out in our lives when we see ourselves “gratifying the desires of our sinful nature” day after day. These are not fun camping buddies. But that’s when we do a reality check, confess, and receive God’s forgiveness, grace and peace. “…since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Dear Jesus, we do desire to keep in step with You through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Forgive us when we misstep/sin by gratifying our flesh. Help us receive the abundant blessings You desire to pour into our spirits. Help us recognize the difference and cling to Your grace. Amen!