The Holy Spirit is the only true fashion designer. He, in fact, has special inner garments for you to wear that are always in style, fitting for the occasion and works best for every season of your life. He lives in you and has created inner clothing that has true and lasting value.

“But the fruit of the Holy Spirit the [work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness, (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence) Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge.]” Galatians 5:22 – 23 Amplified Bible

The Holy Spirit desires that we wear the new clothing from within, but your flesh can be the opposing force.

17 “For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. 18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. 19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies).”  Galatians 5:17 – 20 Amplified Bible

This scripture reminds me of a shopping trip during the holidays! Have you ever made a last minute rush for a Christmas gift that you forgot, and found yourself right in the middle of a bunch of rude, pushy bargain shoppers?

After you finally made it through the hectic traffic, you found the one tight parking space left and actually made it into the store! Everywhere you look signs are posted, “90 percent off”! By the unction of the Holy Spirit, you pick out a spiritual garment and about that time a nasty shopper (strife or selfishness or some other opposing force of the flesh) snatches it right out of your hand. So the Holy Spirit reveals to you another garment from within such as love, joy or peace. And as you go about to put it on and make it your own, the opposing force of the flesh elbows its way in front of you and grabs it right out of your spiritual hand.

Your flesh is an opposing force! Even though the Holy Spirit is your guide, and has made clothing available for you to wear, you will have to stand firm and hold fast to what belongs to you!

Your spirit and your flesh are dramatically opposed to one another. As long as you operate in one, you will not be able to operate in the other. Because the spirit and the flesh are opposing forces, the negative characteristics of the flesh that you have been in the habit of yielding to will oppose what the Holy Spirit is trying to do in you today! Only the Holy Spirit’s work from within will give you the power needed to oppose works of the flesh and hang on to those spiritual garments.

“But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).” Galatians 5:16 Amplified Bible

Make a fresh commitment to the “new” (the work which His presence within accomplishes), and hold fast to it.  Be responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit. Don’t become out dated; the old just won’t do for the new season of your life!