The scripture that speaks of this is Matthew 21:28-32

’28 But what think ye? A [certain] man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I [go], sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of [his] father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen [it], repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.’
I believe Galatians 5:16-17 points to the processes happening within a person, as the parable in Matthew illustrates the two conditions when our physical desires and spiritual desires are in conflict. While the first son’s initial response may have been physical, he eventually fulfilled it in spirit, whereas the second son started in spirit but completed it physically according to his father’s request.

Galatians 5:16-17 says,
’16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.’

In other words, these verses show us that physical desires can divert us from spiritual guidance. What exactly are these physical actions? Galatians 5:19-21 lists them:

’19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.’

However, at the end of verse 21, there is a stern promise. Nevertheless, we have been placed by our Heavenly Father into His vineyard, and He asks us to work on His land.

What kind of work can our Heavenly Father ask of you?

Genesis 2:15 states, ’And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.’

This is something we all know because it relates to the physical aspect of our lives. But look at what Jesus said:

Luke 10:38 – 42 tells the story:

’38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’

In other words, being occupied in the Spirit is what you are called to do when you heard ‘go and work in my vineyard’ from our Father.

Today, if our Heavenly Father speaks to you through His Spirit to go and share the message of salvation in Jesus Christ with others, do not delay, do not look for excuses that you are not suitable for this task because even sharing one verse could be enough for our Heavenly Father to deliver His message to someone’s heart. And remember Colossians 3:23-24

’23 And whatsoever ye do, do [it] heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.’
Be blessed, dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, in His name.