Galatians 6:8
Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
Have you ever tried really hard to stop sinning? Impossible, right? It seems like no matter how hard you try, there’s always a trap to fall into. It can be a big as that really embarrassing sin you keep locked away for no one else to see, or as simple as taking the last donut at work when you’ve already had one and you know other people haven’t had one yet.
I don’t think I’ve ever been able to put a stop to “sinful desires” by focusing on them really hard until I stopped doing them. Looking back on it, I was able to conquer those things by focusing on my relationship with Jesus. I mean, really honing in on a lifestyle of prayer, bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
With that in mind, let’s go back and read this verse again. Only this time, let’s take some of the preceding verses into consideration.
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
2 Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else….
8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.
9 So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
10 Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
How can we “please the Spirit” today? Not by trying our best not to sin, but by “sharing each others troubles and problems” and not “comparing ourselves to others.”
Those big, fat hidden sins aren’t going to go away overnight, but my experience tells me that they really can go away if we live a life of humility and by “doing good.”
