Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 5: 16 - 26

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, ^[c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

How many times has your flesh gotten the best of you?  Too many, I’m sure!  As Christians we are exhorted to walk in the Spirit.  My favorite part comes next … “and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”  

So often we neglect to take this prescription for holiness.  If we abide in the Spirit, via prayer, scripture reading, worship and the like, the Spirit will produce these beautiful traits: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

So let us all strive to live more in the Spirit.  After all, Jesus paid the price so that we can be freed from the chains of the flesh.