We Cannot Do What We What To Do
“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17). In this passage of Scripture, we see that we have the capacity to lust after things of the flesh. We all have certain passions and desires, which, if not kept in check, can lead us into sin. A few verses later in Galatians chapter 5, Paul lists the “works of the flesh” (verses 19-21). In that list of sins are sexual sins, sins of attitude, the sin of religious division, the sin of drunkenness and others.
However, Paul states in the text cited above, that the “Spirit is against the flesh.” By this he means that the Holy Spirit wants to influence us to avoid the sins of the flesh. The Holy Spirit, by means of God’s Word, the Bible, can exert a strong influence in our lives if we allow Him to do so. This means we must spend time with God’s Word, studying and applying it to our lives that we might have the strength to resist fleshly temptations. Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). In the spiritual battle Christians fight, the Spirit’s sword, God’s Word, will enable one to prevail.
Paul ends Galatians 5:17 with these words: “so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” In other words, because fleshly desires may lead to sin, we are warned that cannot do as we wish. If we allow ourselves to be ruled by the flesh, with its desires and passions, we will certainly engage in the works of the flesh. There are times when, perhaps, we may “want” to commit these sins and “would” commit these sins if we did not choose to follow the Spirit as He leads by God’s Word.
Therefore, the conclusion is this: “we cannot do what we would.” We cannot live as we wish. While it is true that we all have fleshly desires and passions, these can be and must be controlled. The world says, “Live as you wish. You are your own god. Follow your own heart. Follow the flesh. Fulfill sinful desires.” On the other hand, the Bible teaches that we “cannot” do what we want.
Further, the way to lasting happiness and fulfillment in life is not found by doing as we want, but by doing God’s will. God is the Creator; we are the created. Shouldn’t God know best?
