"Guided by the spirit". These words from Paul's Letter to the Galatians are a succinct definition of the ideal Christian life and indicate to us how to lead a holy life. In contrast to "spirit", Paul uses the term "flesh".

In general, "flesh" indicates the whole human person, marked by human weaknesses and separated from God. Paul develops this notion of "flesh" by listing the sins that we must avoid.

At the beginning of our Eucharist, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. Though Paul has not systematically structured his list to demonstrate these three areas of sinfulness, he does, in fact, point to different sins of thought (jealousy), word (outbursts of rage, bickering) and deed (e.g. "lewd conduct", idolatry).

Nowadays, we would extend the category of sins of thought to include sins of attitude, namely, all forms of discrimination, lack of concern, and refusal of responsibility.

Paul goes on to speak of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so we can be sure that he is not simply thinking of the human when he says "guided by the spirit." He certainly intends to include the teaching that the Holy Spirit is our guide in leading holy lives.