The Spirit and My Sin

The Spirit and My Sin Galatians 5:16-26 July 25, 2021 Review o “The Holy Spirit” – is the 3rd person of our Triune God. We have one God who is three persons. [Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2] o “Spirit” – in Hebrew word is “ruach”, which means “wind” or “breath” and often points to the divine energy and power that can only be of and from God. In Greek the word is “pneuma”, which also means “wind, breath, or air”; the invisible force of the Lord’s power at work. Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) 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. 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. 19 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 24 The Big Idea: When we become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. However, my flesh (my “sin nature) is still pulling at me, seeking my affections – hoping I will love the world more than I love Jesus. Whichever dominates my mind (the Spirit or my flesh) will capture my heart and that determines the choices I will make and the life I will live. What We Should First Know About Our Condition and What God Has Done: ü We are born slaves to sin and are completely dominated by it. [Romans 1-3] There is no hope. ü Christ came to us. Through His life, the Cross, and the resurrection, sin’s hold on us is broken. [Romans 4-5] God chooses to give forgiveness, peace, and salvation to those who repent of sin and trust in Christ. We can stand in Christ’s righteousness. There is hope! ü Sin no longer has power over us. Walk in your freedom, but don’t take advantage of it. [Romans 6:12-13] ü But, even as a Christian, sin is still in me and I struggle mightily with it. [Romans 7:14-15] Every day (really, every moment) I struggle with the temptations to go back to my sin. Who will set me free? ü The Holy Spirit himself lives in me, reminding me I am not condemned any longer [Romans 8:1] and that the very presence of God, with all the power of the Spirit is always available as my flesh struggles against the Spirit of God in me. 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. 25 Keys to Resisting Sin and Living Under the Holy Spirit’s Control 1. Be certain that you have abandoned all hope of ever being good enough to have earned your salvation. [Titus 3:5] 2. Love God’s Law, not as the means to your salvation, but as the gracious gift of the Lord which shows us what a godly life looks like. [Psalm 119, especially v. 97] 3. As you repented from sin and turned in faith to Jesus, by faith know that the Holy Spirit will empower you to resist temptation and be obedient to the Father. [1 Corinthians 10:13] 4. Walk, be led, live, and keep in step with the Holy Spirit. [Galatians 5] 5. Pray that God will help you love Him more than you love your sin or any other idol the world offers you. [1 John 2:15]