Spirit Living

Walking in the Spirit in the Grey

grey means unclear or not obvious. Moments or seasons in life where we are sure what direction we should go, what we should do or not do, or what is right or wrong.

last week we talked about 3 ways to discern if something is wise or good based on 1) how does it effect me, 2) others, 3) God

this week we are going to look at how God gives us His spirit to guide us through the grey areas.

Galatians 5:16–26 CSB

I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

There is a war going on inside us that we may or may not be aware of.

it is a spiritual war that Paul calls the war between our flesh and the Spirit.

when you become a Christian, the Bible says the Spirit of God comes to live in you.

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live our lives in God’s ways, directing us, convicting us, strengthening us, reminding us, and equipping us.

without the Spirit, we would be on our own to navigate this world and overcome temptation and trials.

Pauls main message in Galatians is about unity and living in the grace of Jesus together.

chapter 5 is focused on the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives to guide us and to help us not be ruled by the desires of the flesh.

Living in the Spirit is a walk toward being our most genuine self in light of the gospel.

Living in the Spirit, or bearing spiritual fruit, is not a search for some audible voice, or immediately becoming someone who always does the right thing (though God can change us suddenly and supernaturally).

We are made alive by the Spirit, and to be guided by the Spirit is an intentional walk (v. 25), stoicheō, a purposeful march, toward the things of God.

Paul is essentially saying when we don’t know what to do, do what the Spirit leads us to do.

the fruits are marks/evidences and aspirations for how we are to live.

and as a Christian we should BE these things and PURSUE them.

Hearing the Spirit

So how do we activate these fruits in our lives?

Psalm 119:11 ESV

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

John 14:26 CSB

26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

When we hide the Word in our hearts, the Spirit is the one that will bring it to remembrance in our minds.

John 10:27 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

When we know the Word of God, we can hear His voice above all the other voices.