In today’s world, there are endless distractions, temptations, and trials that seem to pull you in every direction, trying to shape you to fit in. But the good news is, you don’t have to give in to them.

We all have desires inside of us that make temptations seem more attractive. That’s the real battle—what’s going on inside you. You can’t always stop the distractions around you, and you can’t avoid every trial, but you can choose to resist from within, so that those temptations don’t seem appealing anymore. As James 1:14-15 says, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

What this really means is that temptation starts in the heart. It’s not just about what you do on the outside, but about the condition of your heart. Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The point here is clear: It’s not just the physical act that matters, but the hidden thoughts and feelings like lust, envy, bitterness, unforgiveness, and jealousy. These are the things God sees, even if no one else does, and He will hold you accountable for the state of your heart, not just your actions.

Now, you might think you can handle this on your own, that you can just decide to stop falling into these temptations. But the truth is, you can’t rely on your own strength. Apostle Paul explains it perfectly in Galatians 5:16: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Walking by the Spirit doesn’t mean floating in the air or doing something super mystical. It simply means shifting your focus from your fleshly desires to spiritual things. Paul also talks about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “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.” These fruits don’t just show up on their own—you need the Holy Spirit’s help to grow them in your life.

Here’s how it works: The Word of God is like a seed, your heart is the soil, and the fruits that grow are the qualities of the Spirit. As you focus on living by the Spirit, you’ll notice the desires of your flesh slowly losing their power. Over time, you’ll find that your heart is more in tune with God and His Kingdom, and less attracted to the distractions around you.

Remember, it’s not about trying harder on your own—it’s about letting the Holy Spirit guide you and shape your desires. Trust in God, and He will help you overcome. God bless you!