The Fruit of the Spirit, part 4

Notice Paul uses the term “walk.” It is an active word, one that points to the idea of movement and progress. But it also carries the notion of how one moves through life. He also uses the phrase, “live in the Spirit” (vs 25) and says we should be, “…led by the Spirit” (vs 18).
 

As believers who have freedom in Christ, we walk in the Spirit, as we are being led by the Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit that gives us life.
 

Paul told the Corinthians that the “…letter kills…” referring to The Law, “…but the Spirit gives life” (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6).
 

These are all active and progressive terms. Walking… being led… or living… in the Spirit, requires time and obedience. In the life of every believer, is the struggle to live according to the Spirit. Because the old sinful nature always, always, tries to drive us another way – it is a constant, but winnable, fight!
 

Paul tells us, in Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar…” CSB.   

Going back to yesterday, notice the last phrase, “and anything similar.” This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of sin. You cannot look at this and say, “OK I haven’t committed sorcery or been hostile, so I am good.” The Holy Spirit is simply showing us, some of the evil things that rise out of our hearts, when we are not being led, or living in, the Spirit. 
 

Paul tells us the end result of walking, or being led, or living in the flesh is: VS 21b “…as I warned you before – that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God” CSB.
 

These are the things, whether generally or particularly, we have to fight against because of our sinful nature. We have to put these things to death in our life – not ignore them – but kill them! VS 24 “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” CSB.

 
Here is the good news: we have been given the Holy Spirit, and He will empower us, guide us, lead us and instruct us in how to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Continued tomorrow