Living in the Spirit

INTRO:

We all have a code of conduct we live by.

Some may not believe that but it’s true.

You have a certain way you live your life.

Your parents instilled some of those morals in you.

You learn some from others.

I hope that what most of us can say is that the morals we live by are Godly morals.

But for some, the morals they live by are not of God.

Some may argue “they are free spirits” (No your not)

Let me tell you why I say this .....

Galatians 5:16-18 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

What Paul is reminding the Galatians is that once they became followers of Christ .....

The Holy Spirit became their code of conduct, their way of living.

Their morals are now that of the God.

They no longer desire that of the flesh but their desires is now that of the Holy Spirit.

Paul writes this letter to remind them of this.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Why does Paul say this?

Because he has experienced this himself!

Because they have as well!

I read this quote the other day from one of my commentaries ....

“A life that is living in the Spirit is discernible by its effects.”

If this be the case then “A life that is living in the flesh is discernible by its effects” as well!

A life that is living in the Spirit is discernible by its effects and those effects are the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)

What are the effects of the “Flesh?” (The opposite)

BODY:

Let’s look at what Paul states to the Galatians in Gal. 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

First off, this is a command.

The word “Walk” can also be translated as “Live.” It is an Imperative!

Paul is not suggesting to “Live by the Spirit” he is commanding that they do this.

Romans 8:3-4 “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Paul states in Gal. 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

The word “Led” is the Greek word (AGO)

The significant thing about this word is the fact that it is a present tense (Continual)

Romans 8:14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

But Paul is stating that there is a result to someone who is living by the Spirit.

As a matter of fact, Paul list 4 things that happens when we live by the Spirit:

They WILL NOT GRATIFY the desires of the flesh. (19-21)

The word Gratify means to “carry out; fulfill; complete”

So you will not carry out, fulfill or complete the desires of the flesh.

Your desires are found/lived out in the Spirit. (Strongly wish for)

Your wants become what the Spirit wants. (Need to do something)

You are no longer under the Law but under Grace (Living in the Freedom of Christ)

Gal. 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

This verse is universally regarded as a summary of Pauls argument in the whole chapter.

What Paul is referencing when he states “not under the Law” (not being a slave to the law) is to not follow the Laws precepts in order to WIN God’s approval.

You are Free!

Live by the Spirit!

CONC:

Some of you here this morning might be struggling with the fleshly desires .......

It might be because you are seeking to gratify the flesh.

What is known by God’s word is that The flesh and the Spirit are diametrically opposed to each other.

It can never be Flesh and Spirit ........ It will always be Flesh vs Spirit.

As Paul is reminding the Galatians of this he is also reminding us as well.

I think there is a need today for God’s people to stop battling with the gratification of the flesh and start seeking to live in the SPIRIT!

I believe it’s time for God’s church to come and call for the Holy Spirits movement in our church, in our community, in our country and in our world.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

The enemy is a liar!

We are either living by the Spirit of living in the flesh. (the enemy will try to convince you otherwise)

We can’t live in both arena’s (Flesh and Spirit)

I believe what needs to take place today is God’s people coming and crying for the Holy Spirit to come today.

LORD WE NEED YOU!