Galatians 5:17
“For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.”
When we're born again, God puts a new heart in us (Ezekiel 36:26). It wants to do the things God wants. What a blessing that is. Unfortunately our fleshly nature is still with us desiring selfish aims (Romans 7:22). Today's verse makes it clear that these two natures in us want different things. It's like a company with a planning team in which one member is always in opposition. Progress is difficult for this reason.
We have a choice in how much influence and power the fleshly nature has. If we feed it, it's stronger, if we starve it, it gets weaker. Not everything the fleshly nature wants is sin. So, it can be indulged without sin. But it gets more influence. Thus is stronger and demands more, which can lead to ungodliness and sin.
If we ignore our old nature, it's voice and demands are weaker and less of a problem. It's voice becomes barely perceptible. This is a good place for it. In it's own pen far away from our attention. It still wants opposite things, but it's less of a distraction.
Every once in a while temptation comes and the fleshly nature is right there in full power. Jesus taught us to pray against this in the Lord's prayer (keep us from temptation). Sometimes we fall, hopefully less and less. It takes time to coral the fleshly nature again and get things back to normal.
Ephesians 6:13 gives us advice on how to avoid this, "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." As we grow in Christ we learn ways to be prepared as well as resisting temptation. In verse 16 of that same chapter in Ephesians we're told "in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one".
The flaming arrows are damaging to our spirits, but fuel to the flesh. Like nitro fuel to a race car, the arrows enliven our flesh. The shield of faith can put these fires out. Our faith knows that the arrows are bad and we shouldn't be influenced by them. In Hebrews 11:25, it says of Moses the it was by faith he chose "ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin". Faith knows it's better.
The old nature feeds off these temptations, but our spirits know of something better, God's peace in our hearts. Yes, we are denying ourselves pleasure, but it's actually for something more satisfying, God's peace and the joy of His presence. So, as we mature in Christ, we don't want to interrupt our connection to Him.
Those of the world don't have this. While we see temptations as bad, many see them as opportunities. I Peter 4:4 says, "In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you". They don't get it. They don't have the new nature and don't feel God's peace and presence. So when we resist things in an effort to maintain our relationship with God, they don't understand. They think we're fools.
Lord, thank You for Your wonderful presence. Thank You also for the new nature that relates to You. Thank You for this faith that helps us stay true to You.