GALATIANS  5 :17,18  

The KJV states it this way:  "The flesh lusteth against the (Holy) Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.  But if you be led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law". 

In the MESSAGE BIBLE, it reads:  "Live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit.  Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness.  For this is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free Spirit, just as the free Spirit is incompatible with selfishness.  These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.  Why don't you choose (it's a choice you make) to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?" 

The lust (earnest) desire of the Holy Spirit is against the flesh because He wants to draw us and pull us out of it ... just like the father of the "prodigal son" is waiting and watching ... looking for ... the opportunity to run down the road to meet us and to draw us back into sonship.

Reverend Robert W. & Mary C. Butler