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However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Romans 8:9, LSB

Paul reminds us of the nature meant to drive us as Christians, the Holy Spirit always pointing us to Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to cede control to our Lord. If we always do what we want (that is, our fleshly desire), then we are not being guided by Christ, and therefore, one may have to question whether or not the Holy Spirit is truly within you. For the Christ follower, Christ is the center, and all things are meant to point to Him. Does this mean that Christ followers are sinless? By no means! When we follow the fleshly side of ourselves that remains until our Lord’s return, we are quickly made aware of the wound as it afflicts us and brings about a penitent spirit. As we move in the Spirit of God, we find our hearts are transformed, and things of this world become less and less tempting. The fleshy parts are less appealing. As Christ takes greater control in our lives, His calling becomes clearer, and our desires switch from desiring to be like the world to wishing to bring salvation to all trapped in the snares of worldliness. It is through Christ and Christ alone that we find our peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.