Biblical Blueprint for Walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)

Preliminary:

Read Galatians 5:16-18

Galatians 5:16–18 KJV 1900

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Introduction

Today, we delve into the heart of what it means to walk in the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:16-18. This passage provides us with a blueprint for living a victorious and fulfilling life in Christ by aligning ourselves with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let's explore how we can practically apply this blueprint in our daily walk with God.

A blueprint shows exactly how things are supposed to go together and what they will look like. Before a house or a building is constructed an architect is usually called in to draw a blueprint. This blueprint serves as a model and a guide by which the structure is built. The beauty and quality of the building will be largely determined by the efficiency of the Blueprint.

We are given a blueprint in this passage for walking in the Spirit

I want to skim over these meaning of the verses before I begin:

Galatians 5:16 - Discuss the contrast between walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:17 - Explain the internal struggle between the flesh and the Spirit and how this affects our daily lives.

Galatians 5:18 - Emphasize the freedom we have in Christ through the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 - Highlight the fruits of the Spirit and how they manifest in a believer's life.

Galatians 5:24-26 - Discuss the importance of crucifying the flesh and living in accordance with the Spirit's guidance.

Out of this I see four principles given to us from this passage that show us how - exactly how to walk in the Spirit - and for my fifth point I want to show the result of this practice.

I. Continuous Connection: Align with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25)**

- Maintaining a constant connection with the Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual growth and victory.

Galatians Walk in the Spirit (5:16–26)!

the verb “walk” communicates a perpetual activity, the present tense imperative should be pressed here: “keep walking.”

When you go hiking , whether that is just out in the woods or field somewhere or if you hike up a majestic mountain. It is not always going to be smooth. The path may be steep, rocky, and filled with obstacles. As you begin your ascent, you realize that the key to reaching the summit is to keep walking, step by step, without giving up.

1. Starting the Journey: Just as the hiker starts the journey with determination and a clear goal in mind, we begin our spiritual journey with a desire to grow closer to God and live according to His Word. The first step is crucial, setting the pace for the journey ahead.

2. Perseverance in Difficult Terrain: As the hiker encounters difficult terrain, steep inclines, and challenging obstacles, they must persevere. Similarly, in our spiritual walk, we face trials, temptations, and struggles that test our faith and commitment to following Christ.

3. Encouragement along the Way: Along the hike, the hiker finds encouragement in fellow climbers, encouraging signs, and beautiful vistas that remind them of the reward at the summit. In our spiritual journey, we find encouragement in fellow believers, God's Word, and the promises of God that fuel our perseverance.

4. Resisting the Urge to Stop: At times, the hiker may feel tired, discouraged, or tempted to give up. However, they push through the fatigue, relying on their determination and the goal of reaching the summit. Similarly, in our spiritual walk, we must resist the urge to stop or turn back, staying focused on our goal of growing in faith and righteousness.

Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered What Does It Mean to Walk in the Spirit?

Those who walk in the Spirit will show forth daily, moment-by-moment holiness. This is brought about by consciously choosing by faith to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide in thought, word, and deed (Romans 6:11–14)

- By seeking the Spirit's guidance in every aspect of our lives, we align our hearts with God's will and experience clarity in our decisions.

II. Clear Decisions: Trust the Spirit's Guidance (Galatians 5:18)**

- The Holy Spirit provides believers with clarity in thought, enabling them to make decisions that are in line with God's purpose.

Have you ever used a GPS (Global Positioning System) to navigate through unfamiliar roads or find your way to a specific destination? Just as a GPS provides real-time guidance and direction, the Holy Spirit serves as our divine GPS, leading us through life's twists and turns towards our ultimate destination in Christ.

1. Real-Time Guidance: Much like a GPS constantly updates your location and provides the best route to your destination, the Holy Spirit offers real-time guidance in our lives. He speaks to our hearts, directing us towards God's will and helping us make decisions that honor Him.

2. Course Correction: Just as a GPS recalculates the route when we veer off course, the Holy Spirit gently corrects us when we stray from God's path. He convicts us of sin, guides us back to repentance, and sets us back on track towards spiritual growth and maturity.

3. Destination: Christlikeness: While a GPS leads us to physical destinations, the Holy Spirit leads us towards the ultimate destination of Christlikeness. He transforms us from glory to glory, shaping our character, and conforming us to the image of Christ.

embrace the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our divine GPS. Let Him lead us, correct us, and guide us towards the destination of becoming more like Jesus. Just as a GPS ensures we reach our earthly destinations safely, the Holy Spirit ensures our spiritual journey leads us to eternal life in Christ.

- Trusting in the Spirit's guidance leads to confident decision-making and a sense of peace and security.

III. Christlike Conduct: Emulate Christ's Example (Galatians 5:25)**

- Walking in the Spirit involves following the teachings of Jesus Christ and emulating His love, humility, and service.

- By aligning our conduct with Christ's example, we reflect the character of God and become beacons of light to the world.

IV. Consistent Holiness: Choose Obedience (Galatians 5:25)**

- The Holy Spirit empowers believers to choose obedience and reject sin, allowing them to live in a state of consistent holiness.

- Through the Spirit's presence within us, we have the strength to resist temptations and live in accordance with God's commandments.

Imagine you're faced with a choice: to indulge in a tempting but sinful activity or to honor God by choosing holiness. This choice is at the heart of walking in the Spirit and living a life that reflects God's character.

1. The Fork in the Road: Picture a fork in the road, symbolizing the choices we encounter daily. One path represents indulging in worldly desires, while the other represents choosing holiness and obedience to God's Word. We face this fork repeatedly, and our decisions shape our spiritual journey.

Gems from Martyn Lloyd-Jones Spirituality

‘Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh’ (Galatians 5:16). These two things, Paul says, are opposite to one another; as the one goes up the other goes down. A good illustration of this is provided by those little weather instruments that people used to have, with a little wooden man and a little wooden woman attached to a little wooden house. The man came out when the weather was wet and cold, and the woman when it was fine. They could not be both out at the same time. So it is in the Christian life. ‘The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh’, so, ‘Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh’. Build up the spiritual man that is in you—walk, live your life ‘in the Spirit’.

The Sons of God, 144–45

2. Consequences of Choices: Illustrate the consequences of each choice. Indulging in worldly desires may provide temporary pleasure but leads to spiritual emptiness and distance from God. On the other hand, choosing holiness brings peace, joy, and a deeper relationship with God, aligning us with His will and purpose for our lives.

3. Empowerment to Choose Holiness: Emphasize that through the Holy Spirit's empowerment, we have the ability to choose holiness. He strengthens us to resist temptation, empowers us to live righteously, and convicts us when we veer off course. Choosing holiness is not about perfection but about a heart set on honoring God in all things.

4. Examples from Scripture: Share biblical examples of individuals who chose holiness amidst challenges, such as Joseph fleeing from Potiphar's wife, Daniel's commitment to prayer despite opposition, and Jesus' unwavering obedience to the Father's will.

we stand at the crossroads of choices each day, let us remember the importance of choosing holiness. It's not always the easiest path, but it's the path that leads to abundant life in Christ. May the Holy Spirit empower us to make choices that honor God, reflect His holiness, and draw us closer to Him.

Are there areas where you struggle with the desires of the flesh? We are given the solution - seek the Spirit's help.

IV Cultivated Creation:

As we walk in the Spirit we produce the fruit of the Spirit.

We are not told here that we are given seeds and we must tend to them until they grow into fully mature plants - we are simply given what is the natural following of walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

These qualities are not something we manufacture through sheer willpower or effort; rather, they are the natural outgrowth of a life surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Think of a fruit tree in a well-tended garden. The tree doesn't toil or strive to produce its fruit; it simply abides in the soil, receives nutrients, and naturally bears fruit in due season. Similarly, when we abide in the Spirit, allowing His presence to permeate every aspect of our being, the fruit of love, joy, peace, and all the others naturally manifest in our lives.

This divine transformation is not about us trying harder to be good or moral. It's about surrendering to the work of the Spirit within us, allowing Him to mold us into the likeness of Christ. As we walk in step with the Spirit, His character becomes our character, and His fruit becomes evident in our words, actions, and attitudes.

This doesn't mean we have no responsibility in nurturing these fruits. We are called to cooperate with the Spirit, to yield to His guidance, and to remove obstacles that hinder His work in us. But ultimately, the growth of the fruit is a testament to the Spirit's transformative power rather than our own striving.

Urge them to prioritize spiritual growth through prayer, study of God's Word, and fellowship with other believers.

Conclusion:

I want us to remember that walking in the Spirit empowers believers to conquer the desires of the flesh and live a life of purpose, fulfillment, and joy. By continuously aligning ourselves with the Spirit, trusting His guidance, emulating Christ's example, choosing obedience, and trusting in His leadership, we can experience the transformative power of God's presence in our lives. Let us embrace this biblical blueprint for walking in the Spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into a deeper relationship with God.