“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” – Galatians 5:17
I want to tell you about a woman I know—someone whose story has stayed with me for a long time.
A Real life Story
She grew up in a strict, legalistic church. The kind where everything was about rules, appearances, and control. Her passion for God was real at one point, but over time, that fire got smothered—by religion, by people, by abuse, and by life. She was constantly told what she couldn’t do, how she should behave, and who she was not. Eventually, she broke.
After years of being silenced and shamed, she left. She walked away from her husband, from her church, and honestly, from God—at least the version of God that had been presented to her. She went to the opposite extreme. Started chasing after the very things she was once told were “worldly.” Started dancing for other gods, posting her achievements online, and trying to rewrite her story on her own terms.
At first glance, it looked like freedom. Like rebellion. Like she was finally in control. But here’s the thing—underneath all of it, she was still searching for worth.
God never leaves
And here’s what I believe: she’s born again. Even though she’s running, she’s still His. And because she’s born of the Spirit, she will never find true value anywhere else. She might find temporary highs and applause, but it won’t satisfy. It never does. That’s the tension Galatians 5:17 is talking about. The flesh and the Spirit are at odds. Not because God wants to ruin our fun, but because we were made for something better.
When someone who is born of the Spirit tries to live out of the flesh—trying to gain identity from success, applause, performance—it just doesn’t sit right.1 It feels off. It feels hollow. And at some point, it catches up. That’s when many hit rock bottom, often feeling more lost than ever. Not because they’re far from God—but because the places they looked for validation left them dry.
But oh, when she realizes where her true value lies—in the Lord, not in religion or rebellion—something beautiful happens. That’s when the fruit of the Spirit starts to bloom. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Belonging. Identity. That’s when healing begins, not through effort, but through surrender.
Because the Spirit always leads us home. Not by shaming us into performance, but by reminding us of who we really are.
So if you’ve ever felt that pull—the war between who you were told to be and who you’re trying to become—take heart. You’re not broken. You’re in the middle of the story. And the Spirit in you is gently, persistently, lovingly calling you back to rest in your true identity.
- Applause, success and all aren’t bad. It is only so, when we put our value in it. ↩︎
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