Daily Devotion for March 31 - Galatians 5:16 - 17

Verse

Galatians 5:16-17 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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.”

Meditation

The Christian life is a battlefield where the flesh and the Spirit war against each other. The old sinful nature clings to us, pulling toward selfish desires, while the Spirit leads us toward holiness. This conflict is not a sign of failure but of faith—an unbeliever does not wrestle with the Spirit, but the Christian does. Victory is found not in human willpower but in walking by the Spirit, submitting daily to His guidance. Christ has already conquered sin; through Him, we put to death the flesh and live as new creations.

Old Testament

Ezekiel 36:27 – “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes and be careful to obey My rules.”

The Lord promises His people a new heart and the indwelling of His Spirit, enabling them to walk in His ways. This is the fulfillment of what Paul speaks of—true transformation comes from the Spirit’s work, not from our striving.

Collect

O God, who has given us new life by Your Spirit, grant that we may walk not according to the desires of the flesh but by the leading of Your Spirit, that we may daily crucify our sinful nature and live in the freedom of Christ’s righteousness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse

"Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord,
With all Your graces now outpoured,
On each believer’s mind and heart;
Your fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
In holy faith Your Church unite;
From every land and every tongue,
This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung."
— Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord – LSB 497:1