Galatians 5:16-26 WALK IN THE SPIRIT It seems like those who try to do the works of the law to be righteous before God have a serious problem. They can't get along very well. They are like dogs that yap at each other and if they get a chance, bite each other. To compare my works with those of another is a very common practice. Comparing my garden with another will make me proud if mine is better than his or critical of him if it is not. The same is true about almost every effort we put forth in the energy of the flesh. Law keepers have the same problem. No matter how hard people may try, all come short of fulfilling the requirements of keeping the whole law and not "offending" at one point. The motivation of love rises above that because love wants the best for others and that motivation comes from "the love of Christ that constrains us."
When the Holy Spirit leads a person, we are not just moved by feelings, emotions, and any other subjective things. Those might be the result of being led by the Spirit, but not proof of being led by the Spirit. The leading of the Spirit gives a desire for the Word of God to be read and understood. The leading of the Spirit will prompt us to be the answer to our own prayers at times by acting in the best interests of others. Walking in the Spirit assures us that the list of evil practices will be avoided. There is no possible way to mix the sin- stained works of the flesh with the holy qualities of the Holy Spirit leading us. With the Word of God in our hands, the power of divine Persons in us, and with us, we a challenged to go forward in faith and hope.
The conflict between the flesh and Spirit is not that they are two equals in conflict. The Holy Spirit is omnipotent. The flesh is weak. But we do have a responsibility to walk in the Spirit. That is a choice we make. Obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit is not imposed on us. If left to ourselves though, we would make wrong choices because we still have within us evil desires. Those are within us and we can't ignore them. The law doesn't give us the power to overcome this characteristic of our humanity. Any person who ignores the temptations of the flesh as of little importance, and yields to them is not a Christian. The Holy Spirit on the other hand is passionately opposed to the works of the flesh. There is no way the flesh and the Spirit can cooperate in a believer's life. The word of God through the Spirit of God is our rule of life and He is our Guide. The Holy Spirit does not lead us into law keeping because the law does not give life or strength to live as overcomers.
The fifteen wicked works of the flesh that are listed in this chapter begin with three obvious open sins that begin in the mind and then show themselves openly as works of darkness. Other fleshly sins listed are not really as obvious because they are within us. Evidence of them can be seen in our attitudes, facial expressions, body language, and other outward results. Any rules or laws do not have the power to stop these sins and others like them from happening. Laws expose them and pronounce those who do them - guilty. Rules against drunk driving do not stop people from drinking and driving. Openly condemning and/or passing laws against rioting and reveling does not put a stop to this practice. There has to be a change of nature to bring this about. It is only the Spirit of God within us that gives us the power to conduct ourselves as God intends.
There is no difficulty in discerning the work of the Spirit in contrast to the works of the flesh. Love for God and God's people is obvious in a true believer. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be duplicated in the energy of the flesh. We cannot be trained in some special way to claim the fruit of the Spirit. The spiritual Christian shows the fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is Love. Love is caring for somebody else as much as I care for myself. • Joy is love in jubilation: love cannot truly rejoice without other people. • Peace is love in repose: the spirit of tranquility can be passed on to other people. • Longsuffering is love on trial: tolerating frustration and refusing to become frustrated. • Gentleness is love in society: compassion and forgiveness (kindness). • Goodness is love in action: as gracious and generous as the Lord Jesus. • Faith is love in endurance: keeping its promises and sticking to its commitments. • Meekness is love at school: refusing to be harsh and demanding when it has every right to push its own interests.
• Temperance is love in discipline: voluntarily putting the brakes on its own feelings and actions.
When a believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, evidence of this holy fruit will be seen. This happens because the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ has been implanted in the child of God. Like our Lord Jesus "did always those things that pleased the Father," this is also the desire of a child of God. The Spirit grows these characteristics in us when we have been joined to Him by faith and we wish to imitate Him. When the Lord Jesus Christ is in control, we will "love the Lord our God ... and our neighbor..." These two contain the whole law. We do not observe rites and rituals and legal symbolic acts in order to be righteous. But there is a desire to demonstrate the character of our Lord in our lives.
When we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we were set free from sin's dominion. We are able to turn from sin and its temptations and tendencies because we have power over these things by the Spirit within us. There is a sense in which we crucify daily the desires of the flesh to act in the ways of the world around us. The Spirit makes it possible to bring our values into conformity with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to daily "draw nigh to God and He will draw night to [us]." When we are led by the Spirit of God every part of our life is submitted to God's control. Those I live with, work with, study with, and have spiritual fellowship with will be able to see if I am living under the power of the flesh or Spirit. Such a person is not self-centered, a troublemaker or impressed with his own importance. The standards of life that form the foundation of our faith come from God to us through His word. The values we conduct life by are given authority in our life by the Holy Spirit who guides us. Being led by the Spirit and walking in the Spirit won't make me conceited nor will it make me popular. But it will give God's approval, and that is what counts in life. The contrasts are unmistakable, there is no common ground.
One is definitely from God, the other from pressures around
To be conformed to the ways that are most acceptable to men.
The other power that comes from God gives power to us within.
When led by the flesh there is deceit, guilt, and often serious contention.
Walking in the Spirit makes visible the nature of the new creation.
The energy of the flesh is very weak even when trying to do right.
The fruit of the Spirit is evident in those walking by faith, not sight.
The flesh tries and fails to change the wrong things we are prone to do.
The Spirit brings to light God’s holy things that are faithful and always true.
Flesh wants to accept sin as a normal life without serious consequences.
The Spirit guards and guides us in life providing us a strong defense.
The point of saying all of this is so that in the Spirit we will walk.
When led and guided by the Spirit of God we then can talk the talk.
The fruit of the Spirit will be known as we keep in fellowship with Him.
The power of the Spirit will enable us to resist the power of sin.
As we with obedient and thankful hearts yield to God’s control
We will have a positive influence to reach some searching souls.
The joy of the Lord will give life meaning as we live from day to day.
Perhaps through the work of the Spirit today, some people will find the Way.
“Father, may Thy servant be guided and led by the Spirit of God in these three days of conference meetings. May sensible, reasonable, and understandable teaching be given to bless those who attend, and may much glory be brought to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”