Vince Miller Podcast Vince Miller

Do you sense the war that's raging within you?
Our call out today goes to all the men from Texas I spent time with this weekend at Rough Creek Lodge & Resort. I love you guys. Thanks for hosting me at this incredible location.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. — Galatians 5:17
This verse describes one of the harsh realities that often rudely awakens many new believers. We learn that Jesus's free gift of eternal life doesn't free us from our temporal struggles. Within us continues to rage an ongoing war.
The war within is a specific battle, one of the desires. One is a longing to fulfill our human desires, and the other is the longing of the Spirit and his desires. It's important to clarify that this is not a war between our flesh and our spirit. Rather, this is a war between our flesh and His Spirit, which by nature infers victory is within our reach.
You see, at the moment of our salvation, our eternal address was changed, but we were also given a divine gift, the Holy Spirit, who now resides within us. The Holy Spirit is the person of God who possesses the power of God. He equips us to combat the desires of our flesh as we await our ultimate salvation. Without the Holy Spirit, we would lead a life of daily defeat. But with the Spirit, we can engage in a daily battle. By learning to walk by the Spirit (as Paul mentioned in the previous verse), we can discover a path that leads to satisfaction in God, not in the flesh. This means that we can experience day-to-day victory when we obey the Spirit's will and desires.
So today, if you feel like a war is raging inside you. You are right. There is one. It's a battle between your fleshly desires and God's will for you. To overcome this, you are going to have to do some things differently, which Paul is going to make clear in the coming verses.
But for now, do this. Start by recognizing your will and the Spirit's will. Differentiating and discerning between these two wills is the first step to waging and winning the war within.
#WarWithin
#SpiritualBattle
#FleshvsSpirit
ASK THIS:
How can you actively discern between your own desires and the prompting of the Holy Spirit in your daily decisions and actions? What practical steps can you take today to align your will with God's will, thus gaining victory in the ongoing battle within your soul? DO THIS: Start discerning the Spirit's will.
PRAY THIS: Father, grant me the wisdom and strength to discern and overcome the desires of my flesh, as I surrender to the leading of Your Holy Spirit within me. Guide me in walking faithfully on the path of victory over the internal battles that wage within my soul.
PLAY THIS: Whatever Your Plan Is.

Are you walking right today?
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. — Galatians 5:15
For the rest of this chapter and much of the next, Paul will show the Galatians the right way to act. This is an example of great discipleship. Up to this point in the book, he has:
Addressed false Gospel teachings. Shared his transformation through the Gospel. Highlighted tension between Jews and Gentiles regarding the Gospel. Centralized justification by faith in the Gospel. Demonstrated the Law's role in revealing the need for the Gospel. Pointed to the promise of the Covenant and the Gospel's fulfillment in Christ. Emphasized freedom from the Law through the Gospel's revelation. That is a comprehensive discipleship method. It reminds me of discipling my children. I have to say it, then say it again, then say it again but differently, then show them how, then get angry with them, then someone else tells them, and they finally listen. In education and psychology, this is affectionately called the "Rule of Seven." It suggests that people typically need to encounter information around seven times before it sticks in their minds. So go back and notice how many items are in that list above. Seven!
Yet, Paul's about to introduce an eighth point, and this one's vital. He's not just going to outline what they shouldn't do; he'll also emphasize what they should do. This move by Paul is great discipleship. Great disciplemakers, teachers, and parents know how to do this. They know how to teach both what not to do and what to do. The operative line that Paul wants the believer to do is "Walk by the Spirit."
When Paul uses the word "walk" in this context, he employs it metaphorically. He is using this word to describe the way believers should conduct themselves. But catch this: In the Old Testament, there were clear commands about how to "walk" and "conduct" yourselves. Numerous times in the Old Testament, followers were instructed to "walk according to the statutes of the Law." (Exodus 16:4, Leviticus 18:4, Jeremiah 44:23, Ezekiel 5:5-6). Even in the central declaration of the Jewish faith, the "Shema" of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 commanded teaching and walking in God's commands.
Can you discern the internal conflict that these believers were having? Jewish believers only understood God as revealed by the Law. They were commanded repeatedly to walk by it. They were so used to one way of walking that they could not see another way. Paul is telling them they shouldn't walk in the old way because there is a new way. As you will see later in this chapter, Paul will parallel walking according to the law with walking according to the flesh.
Without giving a lot away in the coming verses. This is why people get stuck in repetitive issues with sin. They don't see another way to walk. They keep walking in a new life in an old way. But here's the deal: we must find a new way to walk. And the only way to do this is not by our power. It's by the Spirit's power. To discover how to do that, you will have to show up for a few more days.
#WalkByTheSpirit
#SpiritLedLife
#NewWayToWalk
ASK THIS:
How can you practically incorporate "walking by the Spirit" into your daily routine and decision-making process? Reflect on a recent situation where you relied on your own strength rather than the Spirit's guidance. How might the outcome have been different if you had surrendered to the Spirit's leading? DO THIS: Learn a new way to walk.
PRAY THIS: Father, guide me today to walk in step with Your Spirit, that I may honor You in all I do and experience the abundant life You have promised. Grant me the wisdom and strength to surrender my will to Yours, trusting in Your guidance for every step of my journey. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Walk With You.

Are you caught in the crossfire of a battle over words?
Today, our call-out goes to Craig Rogers from Long Island, NY. Thanks for your encouragement!
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. — Galatians 5:15
This verse gives us new insight into all the issues Paul is trying to address in Galatia. The churches were engaged in a civil war. They were biting, devouring, and consuming one another with their words and opinions.
Conflicts and divisions can be disheartening in our family or in the church. Once they begin, they can quickly escalate, especially if our selfish motivations take control. This is precisely why, in the preceding verses, Paul emphasized the importance of love as a motive. In addition, Paul will guide us in a new, more loving way in the following verses.
But right here, we are reminded of the crushing and consuming power of words. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is a lie. Words do hurt. They are weapons that wound, leave lasting scars, and permanently damage relationships.
When I was a child, I overheard a statement my biological father said one day to my mother one day in an argument. He was unaware I heard it, but I will never forget it. I remember every detail of this day because what he said left such a pronounced scar. From his truck, he yelled to my mother, "I don't want to spend time with him. You spend time with him!" and then he drove off. These words hurt and marked one of the last times I would spend time with him.
Give attention to your words today. Don't bite, devour, and consume people. Speak the truth, but say it in love. And if there is something you need to rectify, repent quickly before a nasty wound leaves a permanent scar in a relationship with someone you love.
#SpeakLife, #WordsMatter, #LoveInAction
ASK THIS:
Reflecting on your recent interactions, were there moments when your words may have unintentionally caused harm or division? How can you proactively seek reconciliation and restoration in those relationships? Consider a time when you experienced the impact of someone else's hurtful words. How can that experience shape the way you choose to speak to others, especially in moments of conflict or tension? DO THIS: Give attention to your words.
PRAY THIS: Father, grant me the wisdom and humility to speak words that build up and encourage, rather than tear down and wound. May Your love guide my tongue, leading me to reconciliation and healing in all my relationships. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Speak.

What drives your action? Your love or Christ's love?
Today, our call-out goes to Craig Rogers from Long Island, NY. Thanks for your encouragement!
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Galatians 5:14
This is an interesting line from Paul because, throughout this letter, he has been referring to the law and the works of the law negatively. But here, he makes an abrupt turn. He encourages obedience to the law summed up in a single command. So why this change?
He does this only because he views the law through the life of Jesus, who fulfilled it. In Jesus's fulfillment of the entire law, we are freed to love. In loving others, we embody Jesus's love because his love sustains and empowers us to love ourselves and others rightly.
Returning to the previous text, this all hinges on what motivates our love. Is our love motivated by selfish intent or selfless intent? Do we love our neighbor with our selfish love, or do we love our neighbor with his selfless love? There is a vast difference between these two motives.
This is the motivational tightrope we walk every day, and the hope is that all our motivation is driven to love others perfectly from his perfect love working through us. So go, love people today. But love them differently. Look at them and love them by his love, not your love. Love them selflessly, not selfishly. Love them like Jesus loved them, and I pray all your actions will reflect more of him and less of yourself.
#ChristlikeLove #SelflessAction #MotivatedByLove
ASK THIS:
Reflect on a recent interaction with someone. Did your actions reflect selfish love or Christ's selfless love? How could you have responded differently to align more closely with Christ's example? Think about a challenging relationship in your life. How might intentionally choosing to love that person with Christ's love instead of your own impact the dynamics of the relationship? What steps can you take to embody Christ's love more fully in that relationship? DO THIS: Love like Jesus. Selflessly.
PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to love others with the same selfless love that You have shown me, guiding my actions to reflect Your heart for humanity. May Your love flow through me, transforming my motives and empowering me to love others as You have loved me. Amen.
PLAY THIS: For God So Loved.

Do you rightly understand the freedom you have in Christ?
Today, our call-out goes to David Fortney from Sidney, OH. Thanks for your support!
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13
This potent verse by Paul outlines three key ideas: liberty, license, and love. These concepts are crucial to understanding the spiritual life and the potential pitfalls that can lead us astray.
Liberty Believers have incredible spiritual liberty. Christ has set us free from slavery to sin. However, our freedom is threatened by the call of legalism. Legalism exchanges those old rusty shackles of sin for the new shiny shackles of our works. While we have incredible liberty, we walk a fine line every day between the call of our old life driven by self-centered sin and the call of our new life driven by our self-centered works. In both cases, the voice of our self-centeredness persuades us. One is the call of disobedience, and the other is the call of obedience by my works.
License Liberty is not a license to do anything we want. Think of it like being a newly licensed driver: you have the freedom to drive, but it comes with responsibilities. Just as we have rules of the road to keep us safe, there are boundaries to our freedom in Christ. On one side, there's the danger of indulging in lawless lusts of the flesh. Conversely, there's the temptation of legalism, trying to earn our standing with God through our efforts.
Love Then there is love. Love is the driving motivation for enjoying our liberty and the license. When aligned with God's love, love drives us to mind the boundaries. But we cannot love without knowing God's love. We must accept his love and then, by his love, serve others from his love. We are merely a conduit for this incredible resource. And note: It's how we love that exposes what we know about our liberty and how we mind the boundaries of our license.
If this has convicted you in any way today, consider one of these steps today:
Evaluate your motives and avoid abusing liberty through selfish sin or works-based effort. Set boundaries for yourself and steer clear of legalism and licentiousness. Allow yourself to be loved by God and then share this love with others. #FreedomInChrist, #LibertyVsLicense, #LoveDrivenLife
ASK THIS:
Reflect on a recent situation where you may have struggled to balance your freedom in Christ with the temptation to indulge in sinful desires or rely on your own efforts. What steps can you take to align your actions more closely with God's principles of love and righteousness? Consider how your understanding of God's love has influenced the way you interact with others. Are there areas in your life where you can more effectively demonstrate God's love by serving others selflessly and without reservation? DO THIS: Live in freedom and love.
PRAY THIS: Father, grant me the wisdom to discern between true freedom in Christ and the deceptive allure of legalism and license. Fill me with Your love, Lord, so that I may serve others with humility and grace, reflecting Your selfless love in all I do. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Freedom.

Is it okay for a Christian to use strong language?
Today, our call-out goes to David Garrett from Pasadena, MD. Thanks for your support!
I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! — Galatians 5:12
There are a few times in Scripture where we encounter very strong language. This is one of those accounts, if not the most vivid of all accounts.
But I would contest: this is not categorically strong language. It's extreme hyperbole (or exaggeration) that leaves room for imagination. Paul is doing something strategic. He is working out their logic. Paul, seasoned at debate, is playing out their theory regarding circumcision. In other words, if these people so adamantly support circumcision because they believe it will enhance a believer's experience, why just trim it up; cut that thing off.
Paul intends to illustrate the absurd nature of this religious ritual. If circumcision could have enhanced their relationship with God, then there would have been no need for Jesus. However, if it could by some means improve their relationship with God, why not cut the whole thing off? The progression of this logic suggests they would be even more holy.
I would put to task people who suggest it's okay because this text does not give us permission to curse. But if we were to emulate what Paul did here, it would permit us to play out flawed logic from woke teachers and use hyperbole to illustrate it that might be graphic and vivid. But Paul is not permitting us to curse.
In fact, this same man wrote other letters instructing believers to do the opposite. I have included those texts below.
So, to all my brothers who served in the military or spent time in prison and learned the F-word was a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, you might want to find some more edifying words.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. — Ephesians 4:29
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. — Ephesians 5:4
#ChristianLanguage #TongueTaming #SacredSpeech #WordsOfLife #GracefulCommunication
ASK THIS:
How can we balance authenticity and reverence in our speech, especially when faced with situations that might provoke strong emotions? Reflect on a time when you've been tempted to use strong language. How could applying the principles of Ephesians 4:29 and 5:4 have changed the outcome of that situation? DO THIS: Adjust those unedifying words.
PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to guard my tongue and use my words to build up others, reflecting Your love and grace in all my communication. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.
PLAY THIS: I Speak Jesus.