Crossroads Church

SOAP = Scripture Observation Application Prayer

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S: Galatians 5 "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

O: The war within us. It’s always there. Flesh vs. Spirit. Sinful nature vs. new life in Christ. Good vs. evil. Holy vs. unholy. How do you know which is winning? Look at what Paul calls “the fruit” that’s produced in your life. Vs. 19-21 is a description of what my life looks like when the sinful side of me is ruling. Vs. 22-23 is a picture of what life looks like when God’s Spirit is in control.

A: I think that half the battle is simply recognizing that I’m in a battle. Every day of my life. That’s why Paul (in his letter to the church in Ephesus…see Ephesians 6) talks about dressing for the battle each day. He calls it putting on the armor of God. It’s the only way to win the battle we’re in. We need to pray for power and protection. We need to be in God’s Word every day, filling our minds with the truth. That’s what it means to let the Holy Spirit guide our lives. It’s me NOT trying to win the battle on my own. It’s me using what God’s given me…

P: Father, give me wisdom for the battle. Wisdom to dress appropriately by putting on your armor. Wisdom to discern the lies that the enemy spreads. Wisdom so that the right kind of fruit is grown in my life. Fruit that honors you and helps others.

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