Living a Spirit-Led Life
Read the Text: Galatians 5
Memorize the Text:
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. Bit if you are led by the Spirit, you are no under the law.
(Galatians 5:16-18, CSB)
Consider the Text: Galatians 5:16-26
A follower of Christ must walk through life under the leadership and direction of the Holy Spirit. This dynamic comes as a believer submits to the Lord their complete life and trusts him for guidance. When a Christian lives a Spirit-led life, they surrender their life to the Lord and desire to follow in obedience faithfully. The apostle Paul knew that believers needed to live such a life. Thus, the apostle provides four truths for living a Spirit-led life.
WALK BY THE SPIRIT
The apostle Paul noted a struggle between the flesh and following the Spirit. This tension forms a battle to walk by the Spirit faithfully. As a result, the believer needs to recognize the struggle that exists. We need to know that an internal conflict occurs because of the fallen nature of the flesh versus the presence of the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word. Recognizing this reality sets forth the course to identify the need to surrender.
The victory over the struggle in life occurs because of Christ. The strength to claim victory comes from the Lord. The victory happens when we surrender our lives to the Lord and his ways instead of to the ways of the flesh. Thus, surrendering to the Lord opens the pathway for victory, freedom, and love in our lives. If we are to walk by the Spirit, then we need to recognize the battle and surrender to the Lord for the ability to obtain victory.
BE LED BY THE SPIRIT
The apostle noted that the Spirit must lead believers for the ability to live released from the restrictions of the law. We must allow the Spirit to lead our lives continually. Paul revealed this truth using a verb in a present active tense that indicates a continual action. Thus, our lives must remain marked by the leading of the Spirit. This leading must never occur with restrictions, but the leading of the Spirit must dominate every aspect of our life. As the Spirit controls our life, we become compelled to obey the Lord.
The more one walks led by the Spirit through life, the more the individual becomes compelled to obey the leading of the Lord. When you and I experience the goodness of the Lord's leading through the Holy Spirit, we become more encouraged to obey the leading because of our experience with Him. At the same time, the taste of freedom from the law propels us to walk obediently. The motto of life becomes, “He died for me, I’ll live for Him.” Thus, this must become our life’s declaration and mission.
LIVE BY THE SPIRIT
Paul identified the traits of living led by the Spirit through the Fruit of the Spirit. The presence of the Fruit of the Spirit does not occur through the work of humanity, but only the presence of the Spirit produces this fruit. Thus, if we desire to grow in patience, then we must surrender to the Lord and trust in the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to bring forth greater patience. The Fruit of the Spirit should impact every component of our life. The Fruit addresses the mental realm of life with the traits of love, joy, and peace. It addresses the relational domain with characteristics of patience, kindness, and goodness. The fruit address the activity realm through faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thus, we strive to live led by the Spirit so that the presence of the Fruit of the Spirit becomes present in our lives.
KEEP IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
The apostle Paul charged believers to remain in step with the Holy Spirit. This indicates that believers should not veer to the left or the right but must seek to stay in the guidance steps of the Holy Spirit. We need to remain in line with the Spirit. The ability to stay in line with the Spirit means we seek to live according to the ways of the Lord, both ethically and morally. We desire to engage the Lord’s leading in every aspect of life and battle against holding any portion back from the Spirit. Remaining in step with the Spirit means we give the Spirit complete control. Remaining in step with the Spirit becomes aided through humility.
When we live in step with the Spirit, our lives become marked by humility. We battle the temptation to become conceited and seek to focus on serving others. We strive to encourage others instead of provoking them to disobey the ways of the Lord. We seek the Lord and battle against envying others. When we identify as a follower of Christ, we must strive to remain in step with the Spirit and to live in a manner that illuminates this faithfulness.
As we reflect on our life, we must evaluate our faithfulness in walking in line with the Spirit. We need to ask:
· Am I walking in the Spirit and living a surrendered life?
· Am I led by the Spirit in my life continually?
· Am I living by the Spirit and showing evidence through the Fruit of the Spirit?
· Am I staying in step with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
