Choose the Spirit Over the Flesh
(Day 9 – 27 Feb 2026)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22–24
Have you ever worked with someone in school or at the office who was persistently uncooperative—or worse, who went behind your back to undermine you?
Have you experienced interpersonal conflict in church—disagreements over music styles, administrative decisions, or, in extreme cases, disputes over issues that seemed trivial yet became deeply divisive?
Or perhaps you have felt tension within your own family or extended family, where miscommunication, financial stress, or unhealthy behaviours led to constant quarrels and strained relationships?
Most of us can relate to at least one—if not all—of these situations.
Each of us carries a unique personal history, set of values, emotions, and information that shape how we see the world and respond to daily life. These differences are often amplified by cognitive biases, emotional triggers, breakdowns in communication, personal agendas, and even competition for limited resources. As a result, opposing viewpoints are inevitable.
So how does our sinful nature respond when we encounter opposition?
Paul warns us clearly in Galatians 5:19–21. Left unchecked, our sinful nature reacts in ways driven by self-interest, pride, and the desires of the flesh rather than by the Spirit. Such responses not only damage our relationships with others but also weaken our fellowship with God.
In contrast, when we live by the Spirit, we rely on God’s Word and His grace to navigate conflict wisely. Some conflicts are unavoidable; others concern nonessential matters. Living by the Spirit means surrendering control and choosing, moment by moment, to trust the Lord rather than ourselves.
Within our faith communities, we depend on the Spirit to guide us toward a shared purpose that transcends our differences. In secular settings, we rely on the same Spirit to respond with empathy and grace toward those who have yet to know Christ. They may not immediately understand our faith, but they can certainly sense the difference when our responses consistently reflect His character (Galatians 5:16–18, 22–24).
We are all works in progress. None of us has attained perfection, and none of us will on this side of eternity. That is why we must continually immerse ourselves in His Word, persevere in prayer, and align our hearts with Him each day.
Through God’s love, His Spirit, His grace, and His Word, we grow—both in Christlikeness and in unity—until the day we hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:14–30) and are welcomed into His eternal presence.
Clement Chew🙏✝️
7th Haven Cell