Walk By the Spirit

As we continue our study through the New Testament letter of Galatians, we come to the last half of chapter 5. Paul has been writing to these Christians in the area of Galatia (modern-day Turkey) to confront some false teachings that had crept into their churches. People were coming from Jerusalem saying that along with trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, a person had to observe the Law of Moses if that person wanted to be right with the Lord. If you read the Bible carefully, you will see that there is nothing that we can do in our own strength to make us right before the Lord. We are fully dependent on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, and that work is sufficient for all of our needs.

In chapter 5 of this letter, Paul began emphasizing the freedom that a person has in Christ. This freedom is freedom from our trying to work ourselves into a right relationship with God — which cannot be accomplished.

In the passage that we will look at today, Paul encourages Christians to “walk by the Spirit.” This point is a very important truth that Christians must pay attention to. We must recognize that Paul’s words to the Galatians are not merely his thoughts or opinions. These words come from the heart of God by way of the Holy Spirit putting them into Paul’s mind. This is not so much Paul speaking to these people as it is God.

The Need to Walk by the Spirit

In verses 16-18, Paul shows the need that every Christian has to walk by the Spirit.

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:16–18 (CSB)

The word “walk” in verse 16 isn’t just about how you put one foot in front of the other to move about. It is a phrase that points to how a person lives. It is a continual action that lays out a person’s direction in this life.

Whether you realize it or not, something is leading the direction of your life. What directs your life is what determines the destination of your life.

Paul encourages the Galatian Christians (and us today) to walk by the Spirit that lives inside us. The Holy Spirit is not some mystical force that dwells among us. He is the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit lives within everyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

John 14:16–17 (CSB)

The guidance of the Holy Spirit is not just for those that some see as “super-Christians.” The Holy Spirit doesn’t just live within missionaries, preachers, and the saints of old. The Holy Spirit lives within each person who trusts in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

One of the reasons the Holy Spirit lives within Christians is to give them new desires so they do not have to submit to the sinful desires of their broken hearts. The Holy Spirit gives the Christian new desires — God’s desires — but He doesn’t force them upon the Christian. This is why Paul tells the Galatians to walk by the Spirit, so they do not carry out the desires of their sinful flesh (v 16).

In verse 17, we get a picture of the battle that takes place within every Christian. It is a battle for the heart. Walking by the Spirit cannot coexist with walking in the flesh. Verse 17 points out that these two things have completely different desires. They are going in opposite directions. Because of that, you cannot walk according to the Spirit and the flesh at the same time.

‌Evidence of Walking by the Spirit

In verses 19-23, Paul contrasts the fruit that comes from our sinful flesh with the fruit the Holy Spirit develops in our lives.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19–21 CSB

The Fruit of the Flesh

Paul lays out a list of fruit that comes from the desires of our sinful flesh. When you look at these things Paul listed, you realize nothing good can come from walking according to our sinful flesh.

Jesus shares in Mark 7 where all of these things come from.

²⁰ And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹ For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, ²² adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a person.”

Mark 7:20–23 CSB

Our hearts, by nature, are drawn toward sin. This is why we cannot just “trust your gut” or “follow your heart.” If there has not been a spiritual heart transplant that has taken place by us putting our faith in Jesus, then our hearts will lead us down a path where nothing good can come from it.

‌The Fruit of the Spirit​

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

Mark 7:20–23 CSB

In verses 22-23, Paul shows the stark contrast between the fruit the Holy Spirit develops in our lives. These nine things that Paul lists can only be produced in our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is important to note that Paul mentions this fruit in a singular manner. Each description Paul lists makes up a single fruit the Holy Spirit works in a person’s life. One commentator noted that Paul uses the singular form of fruit to show that they collectively make up what we know as Christlikeness. The new desire that the Holy Spirit brings about in our lives is to reflect Jesus more and more each day. This act will not happen by “trying harder.” It is a work the Holy Spirit does in our lives as we intentionally say no to our flesh and allow Jesus to lead our lives.

‌Three Important Reminders

In verses 24-26, Paul shares with us three important reminders.

‌Our Position

²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:24 CSB

When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they are transferred from a kingdom of darkness to His kingdom of light.

¹³ He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. ¹⁴ In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13–14 CSB

Our position is no longer one of condemnation. We are placed in a position of victory — Jesus’ victory.

⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6 CSB

Though we may still feel the struggle with wanting to sin in our lives, we do not have to give into it any longer. We are positioned with Christ in order to share in His victory over sin.

‌Our Power​

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 CSB

We can walk or live each day with access to a power greater than anything we can muster on our own. We have access to the power of the Holy Spirit to live in victory over sin in our lives. Just because we have access doesn’t mean that we don’t have to do anything. We have to rely on His power fully and, as Paul said, “keep in step with the Spirit.” This means we are prayerfully living each day, leaning on His understanding and leading rather than our own. It means we spend time in the Holy Spirit-inspired Word to learn what direction to go.

‌Our Purpose

²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:26 CSB

We are not given a new position in Christ and His power to overcome sin in our lives to become conceited. Being conceited or arrogant only leads to us taking our eyes off Jesus and putting them on others. We begin to compare ourselves with others to gain validation. That is not our purpose.

Our purpose is to exalt Jesus above everything else and help others come closer to Him.

⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:6–7 CSB

‌Conclusion‌

It is true that in this life, we face a battle. On one side, we have our flesh seeking to please itself. Doing so causes us to run away from God’s good and perfect plan for our lives. For the Christian, there is another side where the Holy Spirit is trying to lead us into God’s good and perfect plan. Which side will see more growth in our lives? The answer to that question is found in the path we are walking.

Are we living each day intentionally under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are we taking time to pray and study His Word so that we hear His direction? Or are we just living each day under the guidance of the current of something else — just drifting along, taking whatever comes our way?

Paul shows us in this passage that we will never get where we need to be by just simply drifting along in life. Let us wake up to the reality that we have been given a new position in Christ, the same power that brought Jesus back from the grave, and a purpose to lift Jesus high and see others come to know Him.

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Not A Filler

At the church where I serve as Pastor, we have been studying 1 Timothy on Wednesday nights. This has been so good to look at for our church. This letter was written by an experienced pastor (Paul) to a younger pastor (Timothy) to encourage him.

As you come to the second chapter, one can see that Paul makes a shift in the focus.  Chapter 1 focused on the gospel and battling false teachers from outside. In chapter 2, Paul turns his attention to the work within the church.

When you think about all of the “ministries” that could be in the local church, it can be a little overwhelming. There can be ministries of preaching, teaching, small groups, youth, children, senior adults, music, and on and on…  What is the most important ministry of the local church? What would be the one ministry that the church could not do without?

Paul starts 1 Timothy 2 out with a very clear phrase: “first of all” (NASB). Paul uses this phrase to show the importance of prayer in the local church. It is interesting to me that he did not mention any of the other “ministries” right here, but he centered in on prayer. It’s not that other ministries are not important. It is the fact that if the church isn’t praying, the other ministries will not function properly.

It is sad that in many cases where a local church has different services throughout the week, the one that is typically least attended is the prayer meeting. There are various excuses that people give, but what I’ve heard most is that “there’s not much going on in the service.” I believe that this reveals a consumeristic mindset that is present in many congregations.

The truth is prayer is so much more than a filler or tradition. Prayer is the power cord of the church. Without the empowering of the Holy Spirit, the church cannot do anything. They may go through some motions, but for anything to truly happen, the Holy Spirit has to be behind it. The way this happens is when the church prays faithfully. Paul knew  this and reminded young Timothy to prioritize prayer in the local church.

Does the local church that you are a part of prioritize prayer, or is it more of a religious filler? 

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Empowering of the Holy Spirit Part 2

As we continue looking at the Holy Spirit and the power with which He brings to our lives, we want to look at the power He gives us to live the life that God desires.

When a person comes to faith in Christ, one of the first things that flood their soul is the desire to do what their new King would desire.  The problem is that on their own there is no way for this to happen.  Because of the impact of sin on a person's life, there is no one who can do what God desires on their own.  This is a work of the Holy Spirit within the life of a believer.  He gives us the power to live the life that God desires.

There may be times when we find ourselves in situations where we want to do God's will, but we are not sure what it might be.  The Holy Spirit will give us the direction that we need.  Jesus said in John 14:26 that "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit - the Father will send Him in My name - will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you."

When there are times when we are not sure what to do, we can rest assured that the Holy Spirit will keep His deal and help us in our time of need.  Because of His work, we now have the power to live the abundant life that God desires for us.

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Empowered by the Holy Spirit Part 1

The Holy Spirit.

Those three words can raise many thoughts in people's minds.  For some, it can be down right scary.  Maybe they heard the old school teachings of the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  Ghosts have a way of instilling fear in people.  That is not what should be with the Holy Spirit.  For others, the term brings great joy as they think about the One who has come alongside them and carried them through tough times.  This is a more accurate image.  Sadly, there are those that have a huge question mark in their minds when they hear about the Holy Spirit.  They have not heard much, if anything, about Him.

The Holy Spirit has been cast off into the corner by some denominations of the Christian faith.  It may be that there is nothing in this physical realm to which we can relate Him to.  It is easier to understand the role of the Father because we have one.  The Son is not hard to grasp because many of us are sons or have them.  The Holy Spirit is different.  There is nothing in all of creation like Him, but to not know Him is a great tragedy.

When we look to the Bible, we see that the Holy Spirit is vital to us.  Over the next couple of days, I want to take a look at some of the different ways in which the Holy Spirit brings power to our lives.  The first area of power that will be discussed is the power of salvation.

Salvation takes place when a person is completely saved from their sins.  Romans 3:23 plainly tells us that every human being since the Garden of Eden has been tainted with sin.  This sin separates us from have a relationship with the living God of the universe.  Nothing that we do on our own can ever make that right (Isaiah 64:6).  This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.

This salvation (forgiveness of sins and a new life capable of having a relationship with God) is made available only by the power and work of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus talked with a man named Nicodemus in John 3 about what it takes for a person to be right with God.  In verse 5, Jesus says that a person must be born of water and the Spirit to see the Kingdom of God.  This is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  How does this work happen?

First, the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth of our sin.  John 16:13 says, "When He [the Holy Spirit] comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment."  The Holy Spirit first shows us what is present in our lives and keeping us from God - our sin.  When we begin to see the sin in our lives for what is really is and what it is doing to us, that is the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit calls us to Jesus.  In John 6:44, Jesus tells us that "no man can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day."  The Holy Spirit not only points out the sin in our lives, but He also points us to the only way of forgiveness and true life - Jesus.  No person just wakes up one day on their own and says, "I am going to be a follower of Jesus now."  That decision comes as the Holy Spirit pulls our hearts to our Creator.

If this was the only thing that the Holy Spirit ever did, it would be enough to praise Him.  Because the Holy Spirit has the power to break through any person's sin barrier and show them the way of life, we should get to know Him more... we should love Him more... we should follow His leading.

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