Why can’t we do what we want to do?
Oct 27, 2011
The Race for Grace - part twenty in a study of the book of Galatians
By Mike Gaudet
Why can’t we do what we want to do?
“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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” Galatians 5:16-18
Our “spirit” influences us to gratify divine desires.
Our “sinful nature” (literally “flesh”) influences us to gratify human desires.
We’re like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz with some desires that point “this way” and others that point “that way.” Our desires “are in conflict with each other.”
We are at war within ourselves!
We experience this internal conflict daily . . . but we don’t recognize it for what it is. We tell ourselves, “If only I could do what I want”, I’d be at peace.” Or we think, “If only he/she would do what I want, I’d be at peace.” The reality is that there is a “war of wants” that rages within each one of us.
This means that you cannot really “do not do what you want” because you want to do two different things. If you gratify the desires of your spirit, the desires of your flesh are frustrated. If you gratify the desires of your flesh, the desires of your spirit are frustrated.
When we fail to make room for internal conflict we inevitably assign blame. Some of us point accusing fingers at ourselves. Others of us blame those around us. When we fail to recognize the root problem we hold others or ourselves responsible for our lack of peace.
The reality of war within also explains why “geographical cures” usually don’t work. We imagine that a change of scenery or a different group of friends will solve our problems. The problem is this; when we embark from the plane or step out of the car, the source of our conflict “came along for the ride.” As the saying goes, “We have met the enemy . . . and he is us.”
What are we to do?
There is only one way to effectively manage this conflict! If we “live by the Spirit,” we will not “gratify the desires” of the flesh.
There are lots of different ideas of what it means to live by the Spirit. Some people identify the Holy Spirit with a special prayer language. Others link the Spirit with supernatural experiences or subjective impressions.
What was Paul thinking when he told us to “live by the Spirit”? He tells us: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”
When we live “under law”, obedience is driven by fear. We attempt to conform our behavior to God’s standard in order to escape His punishment and condemnation. When this is our motivation, the war within escalates. We become more judgmental, less gentle . . . less Christ-like. Conflict increases and peace decreases.
When we are “led by the Spirit” obedience is driven by trust, not fear. We relate to God as a son or daughter relates to a father. When this is our motivation, the war within subsides. We become less judgmental, more gentle . . . more Christ-like. Conflict decreases and peace increases.
Living with the tension of conflicting internal desires is a normal part of the Christian life. Not until our immortal spirits are housed in immortal bodies on the far side of grave will this conflict cease.
God doesn’t condemn us for experiencing this internal conflict. In fact, He came to Earth in the person of His Son in order to experience it personally.