Important to walk in the spirit, not the flesh

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 7:25–8:8)

Flesh is a term for our old nature. It is intellect/mind, emotions/feelings, and volition/will and makes up our human soul. Without Christ, it is our life, decisions, preferences and choices because the spirit is dead. However, when in Jesus Christ by faith, the Holy Spirit becomes the connection to God and the source of new life. That old nature is no longer needed as before, only to heed what the Lord says through our new nature — the spirit made alive by Him.

Our issue is knowing the difference. The Holy Spirit produces fruit: 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

If this fruit is missing, then I know I’m not filled with the Spirit. But what about commands and actions? How do I know if my ideas are from Him or that old nature?

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)

These are obvious and usually identify someone who is not a Christian at all. Yet what about those actions that are not so obvious? I’ve learned two things, both being gifts from the Lord:
Know His voice. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

 Read His Word. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

He makes things plain also when I refuse to rely on my own ideas, or become overwhelmed by negative emotions such as rage, worry, and others, or when I have strong I wants and say things like “I must have this now” rather than hearing it from the Lord. 

Jesus, I get stirred up by those with “I problems” yet realize how easily I can listen to myself instead of You. Keep me in the Word and keep working on my ears. I’m so thankful that You love me and refuse to give me those ‘I wants’ that will do me harm. Bless Your Holy Name!