Pertunia Sekgota

Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?”

Every year begins with great spiritual intensity. January is often marked by prayer, fasting, declarations, vision boards, and renewed devotion. Churches are full, altars are busy, and hearts are stirred with expectation.

But the Apostle Paul asks a sobering question in Galatians 3:3, one that still confronts believers today: “If you started by the Spirit, why would you think you can continue, or finish by your own strength?”

This verse is not a rebuke against effort, discipline, or planning. Rather, it exposes a subtle danger: beginning the year dependent on God, but slowly shifting to self-dependence as the year progresses.

Many believers start the year in the Spirit: prayer is intentional, fasting is committed, scripture reading is consistent, faith is vocal and bold. But as months pass, life becomes busy, goals demand attention, pressure increase, and challenges arise. Slowly, prayer becomes occasional, the Word becomes optional, and faith is replaced by strategy alone.

Paul reminds us: what began by the Spirit must be sustained by the Spirit. Prayer and fasting are not meant to be spiritual events we outgrow by February. They are a foundation for the entire year, not a box to tick at the beginning.

Prayer keeps us aligned, fasting sharpens our spiritual sensitivity, the Word sustains our faith, and the Spirit provides wisdom, strength, and endurance. When we drift away from leaning on God, we unintentionally start leaning on the flesh; our own understanding, effort, and control.

Consistent Dependence

Spiritual maturity is not measured by how powerfully we start, but by how faithfully we continue. Anyone can pray when motivation is high. Anyone can fast when the year is new , but walking with God in April, trusting Him in July, and obeying Him in November requires consistent dependence on the Spirit.

Consistency says: “God, I still need You—just as much now as I did in January.”

Paul’s message is clear: grace does not expire after the fast ends. The same Spirit who inspired your vision must empower your discipline. The same God who heard you in January must be trusted in December.

You cannot perfect in the flesh what was initiated by the Spirit.