New Life In Christ Pt. 13 You Either Walk in the Spirit or you live in Sin.

Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

Paul now uses a slightly different phrase to describe the thoughts, attitudes and actions of a born again believer. This is another imperative that says "Walk in the Spirit" and Paul adds that this is the only way that we can avoid sinning with our bodies. Remember, that we have an imperative to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2). 

Next, Paul describes what the lust of the flesh looks like and it is a bleak assessment of living for self instead of God. 

We are in a major spiritual battle. 

Galatians 5:17-18  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. 18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

This text tells us about the battle that we are in each and every day. If you do not experience this battle as Paul tells us about in Romans 7, then I urge you to examine your heart to ensure that you are born again. 

Satan actively goes after the true children of God but if you are not born again, then you will not experience this real struggle. It is a war between our flesh and the indwelling Spirit of Christ that God put in us at the moment we received the new birth. 

The word "lusteth" means wanting to do all of the things that God's holy law forbids (For example, Thou shall not kill). It also means refusing to do those things which God's holy law tells us to do (For example, Honor your parents).  

This is why we need to be taught to walk after the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. God's Spirit is fighting against the lusts in our flesh. He is battling against our "old man" and seeks to strengthen our "new man." 

Those of us with a business background have probably heard the statment "paralysis by analysis" which means that someone is too absorbed in attempting to figure out every "What if" scenario before making a business decision. That person ends up not making a decision because they cannot decide. They are literally paralyzed by too many possible outcomes. 

This is what Paul means when he tells us that the battle between our fleshly lusts and the Spirit are contrary to us. We become spiritually paralyzed and unable to do the things that God would have us to do. This is why we MUST walk in the Spirit and after the Spirit. This is the key to God enabling us to live for His glory. We must choose this path because it is not something that our "old man" wants to participate in. Walking in the Spirit enables us to live by God's standard instead of indulging in fleshly lusts. 

The brutal unholiness of sin. 

Galatians 5:19-21  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. 

Ancient writers were often good at organizing material into lists and there are four main types of sins listed in these texts.

Sensual sins. These sins are primarily sexual in nature. Adultery and fornication involve illicit sexual relationships outside the blessing of marriage. The word "uncleanness" means having impure motives and the word "lasciviousness" refers to sexual lusts that are out of control, unbridled. 

Idolatry. This sin involves denying the One, True God of heaven and worshipping manmade idols. The word "witchcraft" refers to magical arts and the Greek word is seen in the word "pharmacy" which indicates drug usage of some type was ongoing.  

Personal Relationships. These sins involve hating other people, always arguing with them, or being jealous of what other people have that you do not have. It also involves what we might call "stirring the pot" which refers to troublemakers going from one person to another to create constant  conflict. It means causing strife and discord among people even to the point of committing murder.

Drunkenness. This sin is self explantory and is related to the cult of Dionysus/Bacchus where drinking too much wine and drunken orgies were observed. This sin could also include the use of drugs that is so widespread today. 

The Powerful Fruit of God's Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

The fruit of the Spirit is pictured like a beautiful tree containing nine desirable and precious kinds of fruit. Fruit is manifested in us by the power of God's Spirit. It is not something that we can work into ourselves but we can dedicate ourselves to praying for His working to make His fruit manifest in us. 

Love. This word describes the highest love that is like the unconditional love of God for man (John 3:16). "Agape" love involves our whole heart and mind. It is not a mere emotion but a deliberate principle where we love sacrifically, unconditionally, seeking God's best for the people we encounter. We are to love our enemies. Why? That we might love others as God loves them. In it's simplest sense, "love" is love that we have for God and love for others. 

Joy. True joy is found when we are saved by the power of Christ's cross and regenerated by His Spirit. True joy is maintained by close communion with God through reading His word, spending time in prayer and gathering to worship with other believers. Joy is synonomous with "gladness" of heart. 

Peace. This word refers to being at peace with God through the new birth whereas we were at war against Him before He saved us. It is the peace of God that passes all human understanding. It enables us to remain peaceful even when troubles and trials surround us. We can have peace toward our enemies even though they may mistreat us. It is a life without conflict. This person has harmony with God. It is a life of physical and mental safety. 

Longsuffering. This word refers to patient endurance in the way that God patiently leads us along as His children. It reflects how God wants us to patiently endure with other people in order to lead them to Christ and to help them spiritually mature. The word really means "long tempered" which contrasts with being "short tempered." This person is looking at investing himself into another person to seek God’s best for that person. Thus we need help from the Holy Spirit to become patient and enduring.

Gentleness. This word means we need to receive a benign kindness toward other people. It is certainly very much needed in today's depraved culture. It refers to having an attitude of wholesome goodness toward our fellow man.

Goodness. This word refers to having an honest, morally upright heart. It manifests itself by acts of kindness toward others. It means having goodness in our thoughts that will guide our speech and direct our actions.

Faith. This word means having a strong conviction of knowing what is true about God from His Word. It results in being faithful to God because of our conviction of His faithfulness to us.  

Meekness. This word refers to  having a gentleness of disposition that is not easily provoked. It also means submitting to the will of God without murmuring or complaining. It is the idea of a wild animal being tamed which can live in harmony because it controls its wild impulses.

Temperance. This word refers to someone who has self control and is able to overrule his sensual passions. It is having a patient calmness that leads to chaste and sober behaviors. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see the dramatic contrast between the horrendous and destructive works of the flesh compared with the beautiful work of God's Spirit producing His fruit in our lives. 

We must walk in the Spirit in order to avoid fulfilling the lust that is in our flesh. We must walk in the Spirit in order to allow Him to do His necessary work in us, to make us more like Christ and to be fruit producing believers. 

I pray that the Lord of Glory will direct His Spirit to help us surrender fully that He might do this mighty work in our hearts. 

Bob