Wednesday, January 6, 2010

3:10 "Walk in the Spirit in 2010

Key Verse: "16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Galations 5:16

In our January 2nd devotional, New Year! New Opportunity to Walk in Freedom in Christ!, we looked at this passage. I wanted to review a portion of it again in more detail.

It is clear from the passage that the Christian is involved in a spiritual battle:


17For 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. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. When you are being led by the flesh, it leads you to do things that you do not really want to do as a believer. However, when you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law and don't have to worry about being judged or punished for your actions!


Then Paul details the works of the flesh-things that are contrary to the Spirit of God and the purposes of God. Things that the Christian does not really want to indulge in:

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

God's people do not habitually indulge in these kinds of acts as a lifestyle. These are the acts of people who do not know God! I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.


The Christians goal instead is to have the fruit of the Spirit:


22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.
There is no law against these things:
Against such things there is no law.

God's children have brought their sinful nature under subjection of the Holy Spirit 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Our charge is to live and walk by the Spirit: 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The question for us is this:
Have I crucified my sinful nature with it's passions and desires? Am I walking in the spirit or in the flesh? Where am I walking in the flesh? What are the areas in my life that I need to bring under the subjection of the Holy Spirit?

Lord help me to honestly bring these issues before you and help me to me to have ears to hear and a willing heart to do what you say. In Jesus Name! Amen!