God's Holy Fire: 'Contrary to the Spirit'

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

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.
— Galatians 5:17-18 NIV

Key Thought

Our flesh, our sinful nature, is at odds with the Spirit of God. Our flesh and the Spirit are at war. So we must yield to the Spirit's leading rather than doing whatever we want. Our desires can be purified only by the Holy Spirit's transformation of us into the likeness of Jesus. Only the Spirit's power can help us put to death the misdeeds and desires of the flesh (Romans 8:13).

Today's Prayer

O Father, I am tired of tripping over my own religious striving. I confess to you my inadequacy at becoming holy on my own willpower and strength. I want to be led by your Holy Spirit. I want to live by the power of your Holy Presence within me. So liberate me from my human desire to show myself righteous, and deliver me into the transforming power of your Spirit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

8 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Flesh Versus the Spirit
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, giver of your Spirit, Help me to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of my flesh. For the desires of my flesh are opposed to...."
Spurgeon AM Devo for Jun. 2nd
Devo: Morning & Evening
"In every believer's heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active, and loses no opportunity of...."
Spurgeon PM Devo for Sep. 6th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"We who looks at his own character and position from a legal point of view, will not only despair when he comes to the end of his reckoning, but if he...."
Keep in Step with the Spirit
Article by Phil Ware
Can you dance with the Holy Spirit Phil Ware continues his short series on the Holy Spirit focusing on dancing with the Spirit and keeping in step with the Spirit.
See All 8 Related Resources about Galatians 5:17-18

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:17-18 NIV — But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 1, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Doing What God Wants' (Jn. 3:20-21)
"[Concluding his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Corinthians 7:6
"And who comforteth like him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressed child of God; tell him sweet promises, and whisper in his ear choice words of..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God Can Use Even People's Ignorance'
"[Peter continued,] "Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Surround Yourself with the Word of God'
"And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about...."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations