Galatians 5.15-26 - Walking in the Spirit Growing in the Gifts

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Pray

“Walk In the Spirit”

This is a wonderful phrase that seems really more philosophical then practical.

How do we walk in the spirit?

What is walking in the Spirit?

Are we doing some kind of dream walking or outer body experience, No.

To understand walking in the Spirit, you must first understand that all true believer has the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit Living in You. That was the gift that was given at Pentecost found in Acts. The Holy Spirit who is God comes and indwells / lives in you.

To walk means a course of life or conduct. A continuous action or a habitual Life style. It is the course in which we live.

So to walk in the Spirit means that we live a life that follows the course, the actions and conduct of God. And if you walk in the spirit you will not walk in the flesh.

Flesh refers to more than just the Physical body. It includes mind, will, and emotions which are all subject to sin. It refers to the part of us that is still not fully redeemed because we still have our earthly bodies. Still have our fallen genes passed down from Adam.

The flesh being fallen opposes the Spirit and leads people to sinful actions. Things that people will be compelled to do. Don’t have to because you are free in the Spirit.

Remember what we talked about last week. It was for freedom that You are free.

Fruits of the Flesh

Here Paul makes a list of things. Not every person is tempted in each area in the same degree. But this list is a list that encompasses three areas of human life. Sex, Religion, and Human Relationships.

Galatians 5:19–21 CSB

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Sexual immorality = Porneia

Its where we get the word porn from which is in words like Pornography. Porn on paper, or in photo, print, written porn. Refers to all illicit sexual activities including but not limited to. Adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and prostitution.

Promiscuity = Lacking restraint , sensuality.

Sorcery = Pharmakeia

Where we get the word pharmacy, Meaning drugs. In this since its referring to drugs to aid in the attempt to communicate with deities. Things some of you did in the 60’s don’t lie.

Religious sins

Idolatry

Sorcery

Sensual sins

Sexual immorality

Moral impurity

Promiscuity

Drunkenness

Carousing

Social Sins

Hatreds

Strife

Jealousy

Outbursts of Anger

Selfish ambitions

Dissensions

Factions

Envy

These are the things of the flesh

Fruit of The Spirit

Galatians 5:22 CSB

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

But the Spirit who dwells within a Believer. Gives gifts and who doesn’t like gifts. These Gifts are linked together. They fill the New Testament

These gifts aren’t just for the mature they are for all who life a spiritual life.

Love, Joy, Peace - God traits

Patience, Kindness, Goodness - Point to others

Faith, Gentleness, Self-Control - These are self traits.

These gifts are of the two greatest commandments

Love God

Love others as yourself

Walking in the spirit detonates some king do Movement some progress

Going some where. Growing the Gifts as we put aside the flesh. We grow in the spirit. Or more correctly as we grow in the spirit we put aside the flesh.

These gifts are for all not just the mature but as we mature in our faith so do these gifts

Here become the rub, the problem. Sometimes we stop Growing.

Some were young and never grew

Some once were on fire but now stagnation

Some gotten old maybe physically old as well, Got the attitude I’m old can’t teach old dog new tricks, or Happy where I am.

Not growing any more

Here in this passage we have a spiritual check list

First things we should shed away

Second things that We should mature

How do we mature them but exercising them. Don’t become kind with anger. We become kind by being kind.

Here we can evaluate our life:

How am I at each of these items?

Where can I feel God moving me in the right direction?

How is my flesh fighting in the wrong direction?

How am I at accepting these gifts?

If we walk in the spirit we will put away the flesh because it is contrary

Next Steps

I want you to pray that God will show you where you need to Grow.

But more than that I want you to take this home with you. Look at this list of Gifts that he has given you. John Maxwell says that we should always be working on one skill and one choice. Skill is something like greek, or walking. Choice is attitude or love, joy, peace ....

What are you resisting?

What do you need work on?

What areas of the flesh do you need to put to death do you need to crucify?

Not because you have to for some religious mumbo jumbo, No because the spirit is in you. Because you want to be pure and holy before the Lord. Like the bride before the groom.