Prior to unveiling the picture of the Spirit-led person, Paul tells the horror story of a life led by sinful desires. This sort of life isn’t much of a life at all as it drags its victims toward death and separation from God. The Spirit helps us see sin for what it is, but so often we live by our feelings rather than the Spirit. When we see sin for what it is, we don’t begrudgingly curb our sinful desires, we gladly strive for self-control like a sinking swimmer reaches for a life–preserver.
