November 15th
14For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 15But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.16But 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). 17For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. 18But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.19Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,20Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),21Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [ that can bring a charge].24And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.] 26Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. Galatians 5:14-26 AMP
This passage from the Amplified Bible helps us nail down the concept of walking according to the Holy Spirit. Walking according to the Spirit is important because it is the vehicle through which we are transformed into the new self and break free from the lusts of the flesh.
The main idea of walking the Spirit is that we respond to the Spirit’s promptings and stop responding to the temptations of sin. The Holy Spirit often works through our conscience, which serves as a type of referee in helping us discern right and wrong. When we are sensitive to our conscience and turn away from things it tells us are wrong, we are being sensitive to the Holy Spirit. When we disregard our conscience and proceed into sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit and give place to the lusts of the flesh. The more we ignore our conscience, the less sensitive we become to the Spirit.
By responding to sin’s impulses, we set ourselves up for lifelong conflict, because the flesh and the Holy Spirit are opposed to each another. By yielding to the Spirit’s desires, we gain spiritual strength to crucify our sinful desires and stop the conflict between our flesh and the Spirit. It’s not that we deaden ourselves to our flesh, but rather, that we bring our flesh’s desires into submission to God’s authority. We are then free to enjoy earthly pleasures within God’s parameters and have the perfect peace of God that surpasses understanding and cultivate the growth of the Holy Spirit’s fruits in our lives.
Questions for further thought:
How does our thought-life impact our ability to walk according to the Spirit? (Romans 8:5-8)
Instead of trying to keep the letter of God’s law by observing every commandment, what can we focus on that will accomplish this and more? (14)
If we don’t take steps to crucify the flesh’s evil desires, what are some possible results? (19-21)
Prayer:
“Lord God in Heaven, Thank you for the powerful gift of the Holy Spirit that is mine in Christ. I repent from giving ground to the sinful desires of my flesh. I recognize the war within me between my flesh’s evil desires and the Holy Spirit’s desires. Please teach me how to crucify the evil desires and stop responding to them. Please sharpen my conviction to obey the Holy Spirit every time. I desire to be led by the Holy Spirit and live as a son of God and co-heir with Jesus. I praise you, Father, and I invite your Spirit to work in me afresh today. Thank you! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”