Vince Miller Podcast Vince Miller

Do you feel like you are missing out on something in your spiritual life?
We are going to be starting a new book of the Bible soon. We are returning to the story of three men: Samuel the Prophet and Kings Saul and David. The book of 1 Samuel tells the story of Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy, marked by intrigue, betrayal, and divine intervention. Through the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David, it vividly illustrates the complexities of leadership, the consequences of disobedience, and the continuing faithfulness of God amidst human sin. So go to the website and grab the 1 Samuel Scripture Journal today so you are ready to go when we begin!
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. — Galatians 5:19-21
Paul clarifies the difference between a believer who lives directed by the Spirit and one who lives directed by the flesh. The core issue is corrupt desires. However, the problem is that we cannot see corrupt desires; we can only see their outputs. So Paul does this here: He lists fifteen seeable proofs of our unseeable corrupt desires. They can be grouped into four categories:
Group One: Impure Private Desires Sexual Immorality Impurity Sensuality Group Two: False Public Worship Idolatry Sorcery Group Three: Destructive Interpersonal Behaviors Enmity Strife Jealousy Fits of anger Rivalries Dissensions Divisions Envy Group Four: Excessive Personal Indulgence Drunkenness Orgies But what is most interesting is how Paul ends this long list of fleshy evidence. He states, "I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." His point of emphasis is not about missing out on inheriting a future kingdom. It's about missing out on experiencing a present kingdom (or present way of life with God) where God's kingship rules our every thought, action, and decision. In other words, living the Christian life directed by carnal desires resulting in carnal actions is to miss out on the leadership of Jesus and the direction of the Spirit.
So don't miss out on the Spirit's life. The Spirit's desires are greater than those old carnal ones. Living your life like a "Carnal Christian" is a misnomer. Don't live this way. Kill those old behaviors and desires, and invite the Holy Spirit to give you strong and new godly desires.
#KingdomLiving
#SpiritLedLife
#CarnalChristianity
ASK THIS:
Reflecting on your own life, which of the "fleshy evidence" mentioned by Paul do you struggle with the most? How can you actively work to replace those desires with godly ones? Consider a recent decision or action you took that was influenced by carnal desires. How might that situation have played out differently if you had sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit and aligned your actions with God's kingdom principles? DO THIS: Invite the Spirit to give you strong godly desires.
PRAY THIS: Father, I pray for strength to overcome my carnal desires and to walk in the guidance of your Holy Spirit, embracing the fullness of life in your kingdom today. Help me to continually seek your will and to live in alignment with your ways. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Holy Spirit.

Are you feeling weighed down by the expectations of others or limited by your inadequacy?
We are going to be starting a new book of the Bible soon. We are transporting back in time to the story of three men: Samuel the Prophet and Kings Saul and David. The book of 1 Samuel tells the story of Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy, marked by intrigue, betrayal, and divine intervention. Through the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David, it vividly illustrates the complexities of leadership, the consequences of disobedience, and the continuing faithfulness of God amidst human sin. So go to the website and grab the 1 Samuel Scripture Journal today so that you are ready to go when we begin!
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. — Galatians 5:18
Living by the Holy Spirit means living in freedom—but it's not freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want. It is freedom from being a slave to obedience by laws, which reduced obedience to precepts that try to win God's approval.
Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ, our primary guide is not the old way but a new way—not walking by the Law but walking by the Spirit. We are no longer confined to a static checklist of do's and don'ts. Instead, we enjoy a dynamic relationship with God. When we allow the Spirit to lead us, we step into a new experience of boundless freedom.
But this newfound freedom is not the absence of rules; it is the presence of someone far greater—a life lived with the power and person of the Holy Spirit. It's about being led by the Spirit in every decision, every relationship, and every aspect of our lives. When we surrender to his guidance, we discover a sense of purpose and fulfillment that transcends the old way and earthly constraints.
Yet many new believers, and even those of us who have been followers for a while, don't discover the wonder of the Holy Spirit's power and person. We live lives led by other "spirits," like the spirit of others' expectations, the spirit of our own inadequacies, the spirit of our past, and the spirit of personal effort. But none of these spirits lead to freedom. That is a life lived in bondage to the wrong spirit that leads to slavery.
Today, you are called to a life of freedom. A life free from the spirits that hold you back. You are called to be led by the person and power of the Holy Spirit. So, instead of heeding the whispers of those other spirits, make a choice today. Choose to listen to the Holy Spirit. Choose to live a life of freedom.
Holy Spirit, lead us today. Silence the other voices and their whispers. I choose to be led by only you today. Amen.
#SpiritLedLiving
#FreedomInChrist
#BreakTheChains
#HolySpiritGuidance
#LiveInFreedom
ASK THIS:
Reflect on a time when you felt weighed down by the expectations of others or limited by your own inadequacies. How did this impact your decisions and actions? What steps can you take today to break free from these constraints and live more fully in the freedom of the Holy Spirit? Consider the voices or "spirits" that often influence your thoughts and actions—the expectations of others, feelings of inadequacy, past experiences, or personal efforts. How can you discern the voice of the Holy Spirit amidst these competing influences? What practical steps can you implement to intentionally listen and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your daily life? DO THIS: Invite the Spirit to speak more clearly to you.
PRAY THIS: Holy Spirit, I surrender my heart to Your guidance today, freeing me from the weight of expectations and inadequacies. Lead me into the boundless freedom You offer, guiding every step and decision with Your wisdom and power. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Spirit of the Living God.

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.