“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”  Galatians 5: 16 (New Living Translation)

Does anyone have a “sweet tooth”. I do.  Craving delightfully tasting desserts and candies is a great word picture that can describe our sinful nature, that inner drive to go against living in step with God’s Holy Spirit. Indulging in too much sugar can lead to becoming overweight or developing diseases such as diabetes or cancer. Living outside of God’s desires for us can lead to results that are very clear: “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” (verses 19-21)

Quite the list isn’t it? Every one of those words describes behaviors that are full of ugliness and make no mistake defining what is objectionable to God. The human nature to sin is obvious within all of us; the person who is humble and willing to be honest can find themselves in one or more of the behaviors that Paul writes about here in his letter to the Galatians. 

Within the foundations of Celebrate Recovery, along with using the common 12 steps, is the use of Jesus’ own words from the beatitudes found in Matthew. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5: 6) which corresponds with steps 6 & 7: “Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.”

“Follow your heart” has become a popular idiom encouraging people to make decisions based on deep emotions, intuition, and authentic desires rather than purely on logic. I would add it also means we are leaving God out of the process. While the exact origin of this phrase is unknown, its concept traces back to ancient philosophies and was popularized by 18th century romanticism and modern self-help culture. It’s a phrase that sounds wonderful, powerful and true, yet it’s actually dangerous as it most certainly leaves God out of decision making processes. I think this is why Paul wrote what he did, that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives to guide and keep us from straying into sin’s mire and muck.  Furthermore, Paul warns us that anyone living “that sort of life” will not inherit the Kingdom of God. So then,  how do we avoid being on the outskirts of God’s Kingdom? Thankfully, Paul answers that question.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.” To belong, we confess faith in Christ.

“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” To follow, we need to surrender control and yield to the Spirit’s authority.

The key word is “every”. Not some. Not a few. Not what we are willing to give up. The total sum of “every”–when nailed to Christ’s cross–gives us freedom from our sinful nature, grace to pursue lives that chase after holiness versus carnal desires that only lead to destruction and separation from God.

As I work to get cravings for sugar under control concerning healthier lifestyle changes, I’m learning to read food labels that show me where “hidden sugars” may be present. Likewise, to be more faithful following a Spirit filled life, I spend time reading scripture where thankfully healthy ingredients abound which teach, guide, and fill me–all in pure form, no fake additives!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good…!” (Psalm 34: 8)