What, in the Word of God, is called “meat”, we can interpret as our inner man, our self, our self-will. And by “spirit”, we understand that part of us that is dormant until we are born again, where the Holy Spirit comes to live when we have a personal encounter with Jesus. I emphasize that when the Bible refers to the Spirit (with a capital letter) it is referring to the Holy Spirit of God, and not to our spirit (with a lowercase letter)!
Regarding “living in the flesh and in the spirit”, there are several revealing texts in the Bible, and these passages help us to position ourselves and chart new routes through the most diverse offers, suggestions, temptations…
“The spirit is what gives life, the flesh is of no use. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63).
“Those who live according to the flesh love what is carnal; Those who live according to the spirit appreciate the things that are of the spirit. Now the aspiration of the flesh is death, while the aspiration of the spirit is life and peace. Because the desire of the flesh is hostile to God, for the flesh does not submit to the Law of God, nor can it. (Rm 8,5-7)
“Therefore, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, that we should live according to the flesh. Indeed, if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the flesh, you will live, for all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” (Rom 8:12-14).
“You, brothers, were called to freedom. However, do not abuse freedom as a pretext for carnal pleasures…” (Galatians 5:13)
I reaffirm: Live a life in the Spirit, and in no way will you satisfy the desires of the flesh, for the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit; and the Spirit, which is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
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Now the works of the flesh are these: fornication, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, superstition, enmities, quarrels, jealousy, hatred, ambition, discords, parties, envy, drunkenness, orgies and other similar things. I warn you of these things, as I have already warned you: those who practice them will not inherit the Kingdom of God!
On the contrary, the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, mildness, temperance.
For those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk according to the Spirit. (Galatians 5,19-25)
When I need to make decisions in my life, or about something, I always put these “two weights” on the scale, and ask myself: “What do I feel about this decision, is it the fruit of the flesh or the Spirit? For me to be able to give an answer in a life in the spirit, it is necessary to always have this scale.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. What a man sows, that he will reap. Whoever sows to the flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; whoever sows to the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. (Galatians 6,7-8). In other words, we can say: “If I live a life in the Spirit, the end is eternal life.” Which life do you want to live? We know death is certain, but it will be the life you choose to live that will give you an eternal life of glory or dread.
Therefore, this is what I say and adjure in the Lord: do not persist in living like the pagans, who are at the mercy of their frivolous ideas. Their understanding is obscured. Their ignorance and the hardening of their hearts keep them away from the life of God. Indolent, they gave themselves over to dissolution, to the passionate practice of all kinds of impurity.
New man
However, that is not what you learned from Christ. Indeed, you have heard of him, and were taught in him according to the truth that is in Jesus. As for the old way of life, you were taught to put off the old man, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in your thinking and to put on the new man, created to be like God in righteousness and in holiness from the truth.
Therefore, each of you must abandon lies and speak the truth to your neighbor, for we are all members of the same body. When you get angry, do not sin. Appease your anger before the sun sets, and do not give way to the Devil. He who stole, steal no more; rather, work, doing something useful with your hands, so that you have something to share with those in need.
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is helpful in edifying others as needed, so that it may give grace to those who hear it. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, indignation and anger, shouting and slander, as well as all malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God forgave you in Christ.
Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice of a pleasing aroma to God.
Our heritage
Among you there must not even be a mention of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity or greed, as these things are not appropriate for the saints. Let there be no obscenity, no foolish talk, no immoral jests, which are inconvenient, but rather thanksgiving. For you can be sure of this: no immoral, or impure, or greedy person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive them with foolish words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon those who live in disobedience. Therefore, do not participate with them in these things.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light, for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, justice and truth; and learn to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the fruitless works of darkness; rather, expose them to light. Because what they do in secret, even mentioning it is shameful. But everything exposed by light becomes visible, for light makes all things visible. That is why it was said: Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you” (Ephesians 4:17-32; 5:1-14).
By seeking, striving, praying, fasting and offering pain, sacrifices, penance and giving meaning to suffering, we will be able to live a life in the Spirit, no longer in the flesh.
Living a life in the Spirit is opening yourself to the force coming from Pentecost, seeking the anointing of that room that inaugurated the Church and, incessantly, asking for the Holy Spirit, before and after any activity you may carry out in your daily life. Whether it’s when you wake up, before a meeting, a test, a conversation that could be tough, in your relationship with your spouse, at bedtime, etc.
I wish that at Pentecost you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit, and that your soul will be rekindled.
Fraternal hug,
@robsonluiscn – Be bold so God can use you!
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