Galatians 5:16 - Live and Walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16: Live and Walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye
shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (EAV) But I say, walk and live [habitually] in
the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the
Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of
the flesh (of human nature without God).
Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your
lives. Then you wont be doing what your sinful nature craves.
WORD STUDY
FLESH. the sinful nature is received at birth and never
eradicated in this life. But it can be controlled by the Spirit. Walk.
i.e., take each step of the Christian life in dependence on the Spirit
to have victory over the flesh and its works. [Ryrie SB]
LIVE. The present imperative live could be translated,
keep on living. By continually depending upon and yielding to God,
the believer can live under the control of the Holy Spirit and does
not need to carry out the desires that seek to hold sway over his
physical body (the "flesh"). [New Bible Companion]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Intentional Negligence
The Kingdom life is a matter of walking in the Spirit. That's
not a controversial statement; virtually every Christian would agree
with it. But not all Christians remember it on a day-by-day or
moment-by-moment basis. Instead, we turn our attention to the flesh and try to
stamp it out, starve it, get rid of it, or any other such direct
approach. Human logic tells us that if we want to stop gratifying the
desires of the flesh, we should focus on denying those desires. But this
logic leads us only to frustration.
Think of the absurdity. Are we really going to be able to
stamp out the power of the flesh in the power of the flesh? Is
self-discipline really our best option when the self is the problem to begin
with? Does any problem really get better by our obsessing over it? Or
is there perhaps a better way?
Paul says there's a much better way, and it doesn't involve
addressing the flesh at all. Instead, we choose to walk by the Spirit
without even paying attention to the flesh. If we're filled with the
Spirit and living by His direction and desires, we won't exactly have
room for the flesh to grow stronger. Ignoring our misplaced desires
may seem negligent and irresponsible - doesn't somebody have to deal
with them firmly? - but focusing on them only honors their power. Pay
them no attention. Invest yourself fully in the Spirit. Let that life
overcome the one you're leaving behind.
If what we focus on tends to grow larger, then the only way
to become stronger in the Spirit is to focus on the Spirit. Or for
another commonly used illustration, whatever you feed will strengthen,
and whatever you starve will weaken. Just as God is not at all
obsessed with His enemies, we don't have any reason to be obsessed with
ours - even the ones within. Our only preoccupation is a holy
connection with the Spirit Himself. In Him, we have everything we need to
think, feel, desire, speak, and act in Kingdom ways. [The One Year
Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
COMMENTARY
Spiritual Living
The Holy Spirit fuels spiritual living. This is where freedom
resides and where fruit bearing takes place. The flesh is pre-conversion
to Christ living; it is reliance on self to seek security. The
Spirit is post-conversion to Christ living; it is reliance on God to
secure earthly and eternal security. The Spirit and the flesh conflict,
but the flesh has been put to death by faith and the Spirit has come
alive. Spiritual living submits to Christ. Spiritual living thrives as
we surrender daily to Jesus.
The way we became a Christian - by grace through faith - is
the same way we continue as a Christian. Yet, the flesh tries to
flaunt its old habits as teasers to entice us not to trust God. But we
know better - its better not to boast in the flesh, but be humbled
by the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit we are empowered to bear
the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit brings wisdom when we consider
ways that are unwise. The Spirit brings conviction when we begin to
drift from our convictions. The Spirit brings comfort when we struggle
with discomfort. The Holy Spirit is heavens secret to spiritual
living. [Wisdom Hunters Devotional re Gal. 5:25]
Spiritual Living And The Word
To "walk in the Spirit" means to have our daily lives under
His control, and this means under the direction of the Word of God.
"If we live in the Spirit" (this is salvation, being made alive by
the Spirit), "let us also walk in the Spirit" (this is
sanctification, allowing the Spirit to command and control our lives). Compare
Eph. 5:18-24 with Col. 3:15-19 and you will see that to be filled
with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Word of God, for the
results are identical. "Walking in the Spirit" is not some emotional
experience, detached from everyday life. It is the daily experience of the
believer who feeds on the Word, prays, and obeys what the Bible says.
[Wiersbe Expository Outlines]
Spiritual Living Is A Relationship
Christ in us can manifest His holiness if we will yield our
flesh to Him. This is not a human operation; it is a spiritual one.
Jesus installs His holiness in us by grace. Not a once-for-all-time
transaction, this is a daily, moment-by-moment striving to live more by the
Spirit and less by the flesh.
Though becoming more holy is God's work in us, it is not a
passive enterprise. Our part is active, to strive and stain toward the
high calling we have received. God's part is to forgive our failings
based on the merit of Christ's atoning death.
His will is that we become holy ... This kind of holiness is
not the result of our own best effort...
The forgiveness of Christ makes us holy; He washed away our
sin. In reality, God in us - the Holy Spirit - makes us holy. There
is no possibility of holiness apart from His grace. He calls us,
He justifies us, He sanctifies us (makes us holy), and He will
glorify us - all by His grace.
Our part is to surrender in faith; God's part is to implant
the sanctifying Holy Spirit in us. "So I say, live by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature"
(Gal.5:16). Because of His everlasting love, we know Him, and He is
faithful to mold us into the character of His Son Jesus Christ - to make
us holy. Patrick Morley; [Time with God SB]
Spiritual Living Has Characteristic Fruit
Love, joy, peace, patience.... The "fruit" of the Holy Spirit
is the visible result of God's Spirit working within us. Yet there
is a struggle going on in the heart: human nature versus the Holy
Spirit. As a follower of Jesus, you are sealed with his Spirit. You have
the Holy Spirit living in you, convicting you of your sin and
effecting changes in your life to help you become more like Jesus (2
Corinthians 3:18). But you have a choice every day. You can choose to follow
your own desires or you can choose to follow the Spirit's leading.
Paul says, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives." It is
important to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives because he
produces character traits that are not natural for us, but which are
found abundantly in the nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the "true
grapevine" (John 15:1-5). By staying rooted in the vine (through things
like Bible study and prayer), we allow the Spirit to produce fruit in
us.
Submit every aspect of your life to the Spirit's guidance,
keep in step with the Spirit's leading, and then watch for fruit to
blossom in your life. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Gal.
5:16-26]
Much of modern-day Christianity is lacking power and
conviction because it lacks a close encounter with this aspect of the
Spirit's resources. If we are to experience the fullness of the Spirit in
our lives, then we must open ourselves to everything He wants to
give us. We must not pick and choose and say, "I'll take this but not
that," for in order to be God's true representatives in this world, we
must know Him in all His fullness.
I watched a man on television one day examine a beautiful
painting. He studied it for a few moments and said, "Its perspective is
good, the coloring is fine, the tones are excellent, the idea behind
it is to be commended, but it lacks . . . that."
The same can be said of a lot of Christian activity in this
generation. Our preaching is correct, our worship services are
well-structured, our music is fine, our organization is superb, but it lacks one
thing"the throbbing power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the
Spirit in our midst, we are preaching unquickened truth"truth that
doesn't fall upon the soul with convicting, sobering, awakening,
converting power. Our Christianity is not bad"it is just dull. The Holy
Spirit, when accepted and obeyed, turns insipidity into inspiration,
dullness into dancing, and mediocrity into magnificence. If we are not
careful, we may find ourselves in court one of these days accused of
contravening the Trade Descriptions Act!
Ouch, Lord, this hurts! But I know from experience that You
hurt me in order to heal me. Begin with me today, and set me on fire
that others may catch it, too! Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with
Selwyn Hughes devotional re 1Co. 2:4]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Did you know that God gives you the motivation to do what he
wants you to do [Phi. 2:13]? This includes the motivation to get
physically healthy. He gives you not just the power to do it, but also the
desire to do it. The motivation to do God's will actually comes from
God himself.
So if you don't already desire to get physically healthy so
much that you're willing to schedule movement into your calendar or
take healthy steps with your eating, ask God to give you that desire.
If you aren't motivated to get enough rest or take time alone with
God each day, ask him for the motivation. Tell him, "Lord, I don't
want to make these healthy changes, but I want to want to make them.
It's been tough trying to shift my mindset, but I desire to do that.
Please fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that I love what you promise
and desire what you command." He longs to answer that prayer.
God is eager to give you the motivation to make the healthy
changes you desire. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
How did Enoch walk with God? He educated his mind and heart to
ever feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity
his prayers would ascend to God to keep him. He refused to take any
course that would offend His God. He kept the Lord continually before
Him. {1SAT 32}
Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to
conquering sinful desires (see v. 25; Ro 8:2-4). [NIV SB]
In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of
getting into His stride, but once we have done so...the individual
person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God's stride and
His power alone are exhibited. [In His Time; My Utmost For His
Highest]
EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATION
Two Wolves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8CHjX8HauA&feature=related
EXCELLENT VIDEO ON EXPERIENCING GOD
Experiencing Gods Grace by Dwight Nelson:
https://vimeo.com/18654483
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
