Week 1 - Hunger & Thirst | Day 4

SCRIPTURE - GALATIANS 5:16-25

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION

In this passage, Paul explains that there are two ways we can live: gratifying our flesh or walking by the Spirit. Feeding the desires of our flesh always leads us toward destruction. It’s a life marked by selfishness, anger, and emptiness. But walking by the Spirit leads us into a life filled with love, abundance, and real fruitfulness. 

Our flesh craves power, control, possessions, and an endless list of other things. And if we’re not careful, we can drift into the very mindset Paul warns about—living to “do whatever you want.” But the Spirit leads us in a different direction. When we walk by the Spirit, He shapes our desires so that we begin to want what God wants. That’s why Paul says those who belong to Christ have “crucified the flesh.” Through Jesus, the power of those cravings has already been broken. And through the Holy Spirit, we now have the strength to say “no” to the desires of our flesh and “yes” to the things of God. When we give authority to the Spirit instead of our flesh, our lives begin to produce real fruit.

APPLICATION

Fasting is one of the most practical ways we can deny our flesh and learn to walk by the Spirit. For the past few days, we have been intentionally denying our cravings in order to seek the will of God for our lives this year. During this fast, God may be revealing harmful cravings that have become strongholds in our lives. He wants to break those strongholds and replace them with the fruit that comes from walking by the Spirit. Take a moment to look at the list of fruits Paul gives in verses 22 and 23. Which of these do you see reflected in your life? What fruit is God calling you to seek more of right now? In every season, there is at least one of these that God wants to develop in our lives. This fast is an incredible opportunity to allow the fruits of the Spirit to become what we hunger for more than anything.

PRAYER

Today, allow God to reveal any cravings in your life that are contrary to the Spirit. Ask Him to help you walk by the Spirit instead of gratifying the flesh. Seek to hear from Him about which fruits He is calling you to grow in during this fast. 

God, thank you that you have given me power over the cravings of my flesh. I ask you to align my desires with yours and help me live by your Spirit. Produce your fruit in every area of my life, and show me the places where You want me to grow. Amen.

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