Walking in the Spirit

Walk by the Spirit | Galatians 5:16-26 November 12, 2023 For years, my dad, uncle and cousin took my grandfather to the Indy 500. A couple years into their traditional trip, I began to tag along. We carried that on until 2007 or so. Our family are big race fans, so as a surprise in 2005, my other cousin took my uncle to a racetrack for one of his milestone birthdays. It wasn't to watch a race, rather it was to get into an Indy style race car, learn how to drive it, practice on the track with an instructor, then get out there on his own following the line of the lead driver. He loved it! But he also shared how difficult it was. Why? He said that when he went into the corners, the car wanted to pull up the track, right into the wall. He had to fight that wheel, to keep it off the wall. It was a constant struggle to keep that car under control. So is true of the Christian life. This morning, in our text from Galatians 5:16-26, Paul will share with us what our wall is. What our struggle is, and how to overcome it. Please follow along as I read our text: 16 BUT I SAY, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, AND YOU WILL NOT GRATIFY THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH. 17 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. 18 BUT IF YOU ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT, YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW. 19 NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE EVIDENT: SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, SENSUALITY, 20 IDOLATRY, SORCERY, ENMITY, STRIFE, JEALOUSY, FITS OF ANGER, RIVALRIES, DISSENSIONS, DIVISIONS, 21 ENVY, DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES, AND THINGS LIKE THESE. I WARN YOU, AS I WARNED YOU BEFORE, THAT THOSE WHO DO 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, SELF-CONTROL; AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW. 24 AND 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. Here's the main idea I want to walk through this morning: Walking by the Spirit forms your relationship with God, others, and self. Paul gives us two lists in this chapter to help form this idea. List one is the works of the flesh, and list two is the fruit of the Spirit. Each of these point to the individual's relationship to God, others, and self. There are many ways we can approach this passage, but instead of spending all our time on each of the lists, I think it's best to follow Paul's logical order. Let's begin first with verse 16. PAUL'S COMMAND (16a): * Walk by the Spirit. o It's no coincidence that Paul begins this section with the Spirit. o Specifically, the Holy Spirit, Who is mentioned seven times in this passage o The emphasis removes any possibility of our work to produce the fruit which will be addressed later. o Walk is in the present tense, which means that in our day to day lives, we are to walk with the Spirit. o We'll see this a bit later, but effectively it means to be aligned with the Spirit. To yield yourself to the Spirit, and His guidance in your life. o This is only possible if you have the Spirit living inside you. o This verse is a direct response to verses 14-15, which we saw last week. Here is what it said: 14 FOR THE WHOLE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD: "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." 15 BUT IF YOU BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER, WATCH OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT CONSUMED BY ONE ANOTHER. o It's the answer to the question, "how can this be done?" o Next, Paul provides ... THE REASON WE MUST WALK IN THE SPIRIT (16b-18) * There are five reasons Paul gives us in this section: o You won't gratify the desires of the flesh. (16b) * This is both challenging and, in a way, comforting. * First of all, we must remember that Paul is writing a church here, so he is reminding us that there are desires of the flesh. * Believe it or not, there are people who believe that you can become sinless after conversion. That is obviously not true. In fact, famous preacher CH Spurgeon once encountered such a Christian. The story goes: Spurgeon was at a conference where a preacher taught perfectionism in an outspoken manner and even claimed to have reached a state of sinless perfection himself. Spurgeon didn't challenge him on the spot. Instead, the next morning he poured a pitcher of milk over the man's head, to which the 'perfectionist' responded with the kind of rage and hostility that you'd expect from any sinner. Perfectionism debunked. * In other words, Paul is not saying that we will not sin, because we still have a sin nature. As alluded to last week, we won't reach perfection until we're united with Christ in eternity. * Maybe this next reason will help more, Paul says ... o The Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other (17a) * Notice how these are listed separately. This is to emphasize that these two are incompatible. They live in complete opposition to one another. * There is a struggle. * The best biblical example of this is found in Romans 7, here's what Paul says in verses 15-20: * 15 FOR I DO NOT UNDERSTAND MY OWN ACTIONS. FOR I DO NOT DO WHAT I WANT, BUT I DO THE VERY THING I HATE. 16 NOW IF I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT, I AGREE WITH THE LAW, THAT IT IS GOOD. 17 SO NOW IT IS NO LONGER I WHO DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME. 18 FOR I KNOW THAT NOTHING GOOD DWELLS IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY FLESH. FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, BUT NOT THE ABILITY TO CARRY IT OUT. 19 FOR I DO NOT DO THE GOOD I WANT, BUT THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT IS WHAT I KEEP ON DOING. 20 NOW IF I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT, IT IS NO LONGER I WHO DO IT, BUT SIN THAT DWELLS WITHIN ME. * Paul doesn't stop there; he continues in verses 24-25: 24 WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH? 25 THANKS BE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! SO THEN, I MYSELF SERVE THE LAW OF GOD WITH MY MIND, BUT WITH MY FLESH I SERVE THE LAW OF SIN. * There is a clear and distinct struggle within us. * Paul here affirms that these two natures live inside us, and the Spirit is which of these natures we are to follow. * He will not lead us astray. As clearly noted in the next reason. Which is ... o Walking with Spirit will keep you from doing what your sin nature wants to do (17b) * Because we were born as sinners, we want to sin. * By nature, we are opposed to God. * This is why Jesus said to Nicodemus that we need to be born again. * I heard it put this way: * Our flesh represents our natural birth. * The Spirit represents our new birth. * Next, Paul says ... o You are led by the Spirit (18a) * Paul is progressively moving through this, so this is a continuation of the prior note. * Paul is giving us affirmation that the Spirit will not lead us astray. * James, half-brother of Jesus, reminded us in chapter one of his letter that God cannot tempt us, God will not lead us astray. Of course, the same is true of His Spirit that dwells inside us. * Finally, Paul says ... o You will not be a slave to the law (18b) * Of course, Paul brings it back to the Law, an argument he's been making all along in his letter. * Notice that the Spirit is actively at work in your life. * But we should also make note that we have a choice of which voice - so to speak - we are going to listen to. * Paul's command, if you recall, was that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. * So, naturally, the question is: WHAT ARE THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH (19-21) * Here is how Paul put it: 19 NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE EVIDENT: SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, SENSUALITY, 20 IDOLATRY, SORCERY, ENMITY, STRIFE, JEALOUSY, FITS OF ANGER, RIVALRIES, DISSENSIONS, DIVISIONS, 21 ENVY, DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES, AND THINGS LIKE THESE. I WARN YOU, AS I WARNED YOU BEFORE, THAT THOSE WHO DO SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. * I don't believe it's necessary to go through each one of these 15 works of the flesh, but I think it is noteworthy that each of these represents our relationships. * In verse 19 - SEXUAL IMMORALITY, IMPURITY, SENSUALITY - these are all works of sexual immorality. * In verse 20 - IDOLATRY, SORCERY - these are works of a counterfeit and manufactured religion. * In the rest of verse 20, into verse 21 - ENMITY, STRIFE, JEALOUSY, FITS OF ANGER, RIVALRIES, DISSENSIONS, DIVISIONS, 21 ENVY, DRUNKENNESS, ORGIES - these are all works of broken personal relationships. * Each of these misrepresents the things of the Spirit. It's twisted and perverted. * While we don't have time, nor do I think you want to go through each of these, there are a few things that are worth talking about. o First. The word "EVIDENT" in verse 19 indicates that these sins, or works of the flesh, are seen by all of society as not of God. o Second. The word SORCERY in the Greek is pharmakeia, which is where we get the word "pharmacy." One commentator noted that it refers to "the use of any kind of drugs, potions, or spells." * It's also most often associated with the occult. o The word, "DIVISIONS" in the ESV is the Greek word hairesis, which is where we get the word heresy, implying that he's addressing those who twist and pervert the Gospel of Jesus within the community of believers. * Three more things on these works of the flesh before moving on to the fruit of the Spirit. o First, notice that Paul closes the list with, AND THINGS LIKE THESE, which indicates that this is not a complete and exhaustive list. o Next, at the end of verse 21, he notes that WHO DO SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, which is a call back to chapters 3-4. A better translation would be "those who practice such things" as the language and context speaks to those who do these things constantly, not just every once in awhile. A constant practice of the works of the flesh may indicate an unchanged heart. o Lastly, a challenge for you. I'm sure we've all been guilty of one or more of these sins, even after your gospel conversion. So, when you get home later, or maybe even later this week, find a quiet place with your Bible and something to write on. Go through this list and make note of anything that you may struggle with. Take it to the Lord. Ask the Spirit to work through you to fight against these works of the flesh. * Of course, there needs to be an antidote to these works, and the next section reveals that. So ... WHAT DOES WALKING BY THE SPIRIT LOOK LIKE? (22-23) * Paul reminds us in verses 22-23 what the fruit (or works if we want to use the same language) of the Spirit is: 22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, 23 GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL; AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW. * Now, there are two ways to interpret this section, as I pointed out last week. o First, seeing that fruit here is singular, is Paul saying that "love" is the fruit of the Spirit, since it is first? * There are a few things that may point to this. * First is the immediate context from verses 6 and 14 where Paul speaks about faith and service, both as a product of love. * Second would be Paul's letter to the Colossians. In chapter 3, Paul speaks about putting on the new self, and in verse 14, he speaks these words: 14 AND ABOVE ALL THESE PUT ON LOVE, WHICH BINDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY. * In 1 Corinthians 13, the great "love" chapter, he emphasizes love as the greatest gifts. In verse 13 Paul said: 13 SO NOW FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE ABIDE, THESE THREE; BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. * The third reason this may be the case is the word itself. Paul uses "agape" for this type of love. Agape love is that self-denying, sacrificial love, putting others before yourself type of love. * And how is that accomplished? JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, 23 GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL * In other words, Paul could have stopped with just that one word: agape love. This love encompasses the other eight characteristics of the Christian. * The other way to view this list, of course, is that they are all individual characteristics of the Christian. Either way, it does not lose the meaning of Paul's writing. o Just like we saw with the other list, there's a bit of a grouping of these also. o If we included love, then the first three (LOVE, JOY, PEACE) portrays the attitude of the Christian towards God. o The next three (PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS) portrays the attitude of the Christian towards others, and ... o The final three (FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL) portrays the inner attitude of the Christian, his or her character. * And just as we saw earlier, Paul implies with his phrase, AGAINST SUCH THINGS, that there are other characteristics that describe the Christian who is walking by the Spirit. * Just as I recommended above, take this list too, and identify those that maybe you struggle with. Circle them and pray that the Spirit strengthens those areas of your life. * There is one final thing to discuss, NOW WHAT? (24-26) * In just a few verses, Paul lays out five key actions that the Christian is to take: o Crucify the flesh (24) * If you're still taking notes, list Galatians 2:20 and Romans 6:6. In these verses, Paul teaches that we were crucified with Christ. * Verse 24, however, implies that we have to crucify our flesh. * In Mark 8:34, Jesus foretells of His death, and Mark records these words: 34 AND CALLING THE CROWD TO HIM WITH HIS DISCIPLES, HE SAID TO THEM, "IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW ME." * The cross was an instrument of death. Paul - and Christ - are both saying the same thing. When we make the commitment to follow Christ, we are making the commitment to put to death the old person. * Both of these lists, if nothing else, should reveal to you that you are a follower of Jesus, then your identity should mirror more closely with the fruit of the Spirit than the works of the flesh. * Which is why Paul now says, we are to ... o Live by the Spirit (25a) * This is different than walking by the Spirit as Paul opened with. * It's effectively choosing which path you're walking: law, or Spirit? * Paul asked the question in Romans 6:2, "HOW CAN WE WHO DIED TO SIN STILL LIVE IN IT?" * Similarly, Paul next says to ... o Keep in step with the Spirit (25b) * This is a disciplined and intentional stride by stride walking with the Lord. * Not running ahead, or lagging behind ... accomplished through prayer, the Word of God, fellowship, and worship. * Finally, o Do not become conceited (26a) * Again, this is a self-seeking activity. The Spirit is outward, with others in mind, while the flesh points to self, and our internal sinful condition. Conceit leads to ... * Provoking one another (26b) or * Envying one another (26c) * It's two extremes. Believing that you are better than someone else or believing that they are better than you. So, you either rub it in their face, or are envious of what they have or are. * Either way, the reliance on God is only a shadow to the reliance on self. This morning we saw: Walking by the Spirit forms your relationship with God, others, and self. My prayer for you this morning is that you use this passage for self-examination. Not to beat yourself up but rather to shape and form your relationships. With God and with others. Understanding who we are in Christ, will help us to develop healthy and meaningful habits that honor God, and walk in step with the Spirit. Let's pray. 2