Live by the Spirit
Recently as I was reading through Galatians, there were a few points that stood out to me. I sat pondering those amazing truths. Then I began writing down my thoughts. That is when I knew I wanted to share my findings with you.
Live by the Spirit.
Galatians is very clear that we are to choose what we will live by. If we live by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Our flesh can be loud and insistent, wanting us to speak and act in ways that make us feel better in the moment, but giving in empowers our flesh to entangle us once again.
Have you ever had a thought in your mind, and you feel such a strong desire to say it? We think, “If I don’t say this, I may combust”. That is our flesh wanting to have its way. I know in my personal life when I am being rude, inconsiderate, fearful, or full of doubt that my flesh is getting stronger within me.
Galatians 19-21 spells out the acts of the flesh which are obvious such as sexual sin, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, envy, drunkenness, and the like.
Jesus died so that we do not have to give into the flesh. As a matter of fact, He has given us His Holy Spirit to equip us to say no to the flesh and yes to God’s way of living, which will produce wonderful fruit.
Being able to live by the Spirit starts with our freedom in Christ.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) (emphasis added)
It is for freedom that Christhas set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-23 (NAS) (emphasis added)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV) (emphasis added)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
When we notice ourselves rolling our eyes, shutting down, being impatient, fearful, or filled with doubt… which are all easy to do … We need to choose whether we will feed our fleshly desires or if we will throw off those desires and keep in step with the Spirit of God.
Daily as we are trying to stay in step with the Spirit, we can ask ourselves a few questions:
Is this loving or kind?
Am I being patient and gentle?
Is this good?
Because He is working with us, we can ask Him:
Lord, help me to be faithful and have self-control.
Lord, fill me with your peace and joy as I trust you with all that concerns me.
Lord, help me to enjoy the journey that I get to have with You and those you have entrusted to me.
Friend, let’s live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh.
He is for you, and He loves you!
Dawn