WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Text: Galatians 5
28 January 2007
(I) UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
1. Cause and effect statement
2. Logical consequence
If we walk in the Spirit, we would not fulfil the lust of the flesh
3. The role of the Spirit of God in our lives
a. The Spirit seals us for Salvation ( Galatians 3:2 )
b. The Spirit helps us call God “Abba, Father” ( Galatians 4:6 )
c. The Spirit helps us bear fruits ( Galatians 5:22-23 )
d. The Spirit helps us wait till the hope of righteousness ( Galatians 5:5 )
4. It is a lifestyle that is contrary to the flesh
(II) SOME PROBLEMS THAT HINDER OUR WALK IN THE SPIRIT
1. Ignorance
“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:3
2. Gravitational pull towards the flesh
“…how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” Galatians 4:9
3. Snowballing effect
“…only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh…” Galatians 5:13
4. Yielding to the flesh and sin – Backbiting each other
“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” Galatians 5:15
(III) THE CHALLENGE TO ESTABLISH OUR WALK IN THE SPIRIT
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
1. Begin by Sowing to the Spirit
“…but he sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:8
2. Being steadfast in the liberty of the Spirit
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
3. Struggle against the flesh through the Spirit
“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.” Galatians 5:17
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24
4. Being Spirit led in all that we do
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Galatians 5:18