Not all conflict is outside of us.  The most important conflicts go on inside our own hearts.  Although we are sinners by nature, God sends His Holy Spirit into every person who believes the gospel and trusts in Jesus (Romans 8:9; Ephesians 1:13), giving them the desire and the power to resist the passions of the flesh (Titus 2:12).  But our sinful natures are set to ignore or resist the Spirit of God and neutralise His instructions.  That is why we experience an inner contest between God’s will and our sinful passions: between His Spirit and our flesh.  They are totally opposed to each other.  Without God’s power we will fall, but if we let His Spirit challenge, inspire, motivate and empower us, He will help us to overcome those wrong impulses and use our energy in godly living.
 
The Christians in Galatia had been confused by false teaching.  Paul needed to explain that they were in a spiritual battle, every day.  It was not just their wrestling over doctrinal matters (such as ‘law’ and ‘grace’ which occupies so much of this letter) but in dealing with anger, immorality, occult practices and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21).  These wrong behaviours easily become commonplace habits and many believers were frustrated by being defeated in these areas.

So Paul wrote to tell them that because they belong to Christ they must listen to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:24-25), stay with Him, walk with Him and ask for His strength to resist their sinful impulses.  Instead of a rules-based religion, following Jesus is a relationship.  After His ascension into heaven, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit - who was as identical in character and power as Jesus (John 15:26), but without a physical body.  The bodies He inhabits are ours, all of us who love Jesus and are relying on His saving grace (1 Corinthians 6:19).
 
Who has the right to tell us what to do?  Our emotions or bodies are not designed to have the ultimate authority over us.  If you belong to Christ, let His Word and Spirit direct you.  When you feel the heat of the battle in your heart and mind, submit yourself to the Lord and ask for His help so that you may serve Him and not sin against Him.  That battle is not wrong - it is essential!  It may not be easy: that is why we must call on the Lord’s strength.  He wants us to win – it glorifies Him, shames the devil, enables us to be useful in His Kingdom, witnesses to His power in the world, gives us confidence to keep trusting and will be rewarded when Jesus returns.  So let the Spirit lead you into practical truthful decisions today.