Walking the Walk Sermon
I have really missed teaching Sunday school. Teaching Sunday school every other week forces me to study the word. When I don't teach, I still have my quiet time, my prayer time, my Bible reading time. But, and I am ashamed to admit this but I don't actually spend much time studying unless I have to prepare a lesson. All that's got me to wondering if there are other areas specifically related to my spiritual growth in my life that I've been neglecting. So this morning as much for me as for you, were going to look at walking the walk.
You've heard the phrase "oh they can talk the talk what can I walk the walk?" We as Christians, as mature believers are called to live a holy lifestyle. We all know that. But in our minds living the holy lifestyle means that we don't drink, take illegal drugs, indulge in pornography, or participate in other bad habits.
Turn with me to the book of Galatians 5:16-26
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Live by the spirit -- what does that mean?
As a believer walks through life, he should depend on the holy Spirit for guidance. How do you do that? How do you depend on the Holy Spirit to guide you?
We know the Holy Spirit in indwells the believer. He is there to help us. BUT that doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit operates automatically. It just means that he is available. He waits for us to ask him for help.
In the original Greek language, that verse actually says,
So I say keep on walking by the Spirit!
Grammar lesson: The verb is in the present tense this means it has a continuous action and not a one time thing. It is also in the imperative mood, which indicates it is a command, not a statement or suggestion.
In other words, Paul is commanding us to continually ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and then follow his leading.
So I say, keep on walking by the spirit,
When you walk do you stand still?
No, you advance, you move , you make progress. Step by step the Spirit leads you from where you are to where God wants you to be.
Let’s clarify something here:
Who is actually doing the walking?
We are. The Spirit will not walk for us. That is not his job. His job is to tell us where to go, what to do. It is the believer’s job to go where the Spirit guides him and do what the Spirit leads him to do.
16 So I say, keep on walking by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Another interpretation of the word desire is lust – a strong compelling desire for something. In the Greek, lust can be either for good or evil. When you desire something, you want it. When you lust for something, you really want it.
16 So I say, keep on walking by the spirit, and you will not gratify the lusts of the sinful nature.
Paul says it this way in Romans 13:14
“put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts”
Christianity 101: every human being has a sinful nature. He has no choice it's a part of the birth process. If you are human then you inherited a sinful nature from your father Adam. Every Christian inherit a second nature from Jesus. Both natures have desires. Your Adamic nature has a desire for evil. Your Jesus nature has a desire for holiness. Both natures are in conflict with each other. They each want supremacy in your life.
17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
If we listen to the instruction of the Holy Spirit, if we learn what God wants from us through the teachings of the Holy Spirit then we will not give in to the urgings of our sinful natures. We know that. We know that if were in tune with God we no longer have desires for ungodly things. People who have been miraculously delivered from alcohol, drug, or smoking addiction will tell you that they no longer have an appetite for those things.
But if we are not in tune with God, then our sinful nature takes priority. We desire ungodly things: we can be tempted to go to movies or watch television programs that are unedifying. We can be tempted to go to the casinos or play the lottery. We can be tempted to overeat or pick out on unhealthy snacks. The point is if or not in tune with God we can be tempted to yield to our sinful nature.
Look at the next verse
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
All of those things I mentioned on edifying television programs, playing the lottery, over eating -- none of these are illegal acts. Paul tells us that were not under the law. In some churches, in some denominations, is against the law of that church for the members to gamble, go to the movies, wear makeup, listen to rock music. This church is not one of those churches. While those things do not grow you up in Christ you will not lose fellowship if you partake of them. That's why Paul continues,
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
These may be divided into the following areas sexual sin – sins against one’s body, religious sin – sins against God, and social sins – sins against society or your fellow man.
sexual sins:
sexual immorality,
the Greek word here is porneia this is the same word we get pornography from and refers to all illicit sexual relations: such as adultery, sexual relations outside of marriage, incest, homosexuality, and prostitution. Matt 5:27-28 says,
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
impurity
literally means unclean, in medicine and refers to an infected oozing wound. In Scripture. It's used for moral and ceremonial uncleanliness -- something that would prevent you from approaching God. having a dirty mind thinking evil thoughts, using foul language
and debauchery;
This refers to someone who has a sexual addiction, someone who only has regards for their own gratification and doesn't care how this will affect other people. This would include pedophiles, rapists, and people who knowingly spreads sexually transmitted diseases. This also includes those who flaunt their sexuality: dressing provocatively, making rude gestures, or dirty dancing like you might see in some of the music videos on television today.
Religious sins:
20 idolatry
Idolatry by definition, involves worshiping pagan gods or bowing to idols. What we fail to recognize today is that idolatry is not only to foreign gods. In today's society we have many idols. Many things that draw our focus away from God. For some people it's their jobs -- even secular society identifies those people who are consumed by their work we call them workaholics.
For some people it is money, how much they have, how much more they need, how they can get more. For some it’s their children. For others its is their home, car, boat.,, the list goes on.
and witchcraft;
man made religions, sorcery, magic, astrology, tarot cards, séances, palm reading, ouija boards, curses & spells. In truth - anything that leads to imposing your will over another person. Its tools are intimidation, condemnation, and manipulation.
Finally social sins –those that relate to human relationships that are defiled by the specific sins.
hatred or enmity,
This are hateful attitudes that cause strife among people. Hatred or bigotry against a people group, for race, sex, lifestyle, age, etc.
discord,
The natural result of hatred – people cannot get along. If I hat your group, there is no way I can compromise, let alone submit to you.
jealousy,
is a form of anger and hateful resentment that comes from lusting after something that belongs to another person. It is self centered and clouded in suspicion. You become overly possessive. Jealousy often leads to angry outbursts without provocation or justification and causes strife in relationships.
fits of rage,
Irrational outbursts of temper.
selfish ambition,
This is stepping on other people to get what you want. We see this when people put others down to make themselves look better.
dissensions, and factions
We see this a lot in the church. “I don’t agree with you”, or “I won’t submit to that”. Our discussions aren’t going my way, so I get other people to agree with me, and the next thing you know the church splits. What’s left in the fall out is a lot of hurt feelings.
21and envy;
This is different from jealousy in that, not only do I lust over what you have, but I want it for myself. I want your job. I want your friends. And I don’t care if you get left out.
drunkenness,
We know what that is. You can also include consuming drugs recreationally.
orgies,
This refers to the actions that take place under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Acting without control.
and the like
I love this – just to show that these are not all the acts of a sinful nature.
21I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this
Other translations to read "those who practice such things."
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice first that it says practice. Practice refers to doing something again and again. That's the problem with evil. It tastes good. Your desire turns to lust. You have to have more and more.
Paul warns us that we will have to pay a price for practicing evil. I want you to notice it doesn’t say “will lose their salvation”, it says that you will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Back to Christianity 101: We know that term Kingdom of God refers to the rule of God – they way He does things. We also know that when we do things God’s way there is a reward
or a blessing. Paul is saying here that people who let their sinful natures lead them will not reap the rewards that come from doing things God’s way.
What are these rewards?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Notice that fruit is singular as in one fruit. A person who Holy Spirit led, who puts down their sinful nature and submits to the Holy Spirit will have ALL of these qualities. Notice that I said submit to the Holy Spirit. Remember I said earlier the you have to ask the Spirit to guide you and then you have to do what He says.
I’m not going to teach on the fruit on the Spirit this morning. I just want to point out that little sentence that follows the list.
It says:
23b Against such things there is no law.
This means that no one would have a complaint against someone who has the character traits. You can’t help but be drawn to them.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
This is another reference to the Kingdom of God, belonging to Jesus (the king of Kings) and doing things his way.
How do we do that?
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Step by step our Christian walk needs to conform to the Spirit’s direction. If we don’t, if we do our own thing, rely on our own power, strength, intelligence, education, money… we will become conceited, provoking and envying each other and exposing sinful nature.
In Romans 13:14. Paul tells us to "make no provision for the flash in regard to its lusts". The easiest way to fall into sin is to put yourself in a situation where temptation is. The safest way to avoid sin is to avoid situations that will present temptations. We have to actively resist evil. This is warfare! It's not easy. We have to do more than just say "I surrender to the Holy Spirit". We have to do what he tells us.