Pastor Rusty Milton

Galatians 5:16-25 ESV

"Led by the Spirit"

A true Christian is one who not only has peace of conscience, but also a war within. In Galatians 5:16-18, Paul exhorts the church to walk in the Spirit; in other words, to submit, be governed by, and filled with the Holy Spirit daily. This allows believers to escape the controlling grasp of the flesh, which exerts its dominance when believers gratify its desires without repentance. But what are signs that one is walking in the Spirit versus the flesh? They are easily understood as falling into three categories: counterfeit love for others (e.g. sexual immorality, sensuality); counterfeit love of God (e.g. idolatry, sorcery); and counterfeit love of self (e.g. debauchery, envy). The fruits of the Spirit are equally evident: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  How do we apply this? Don't grieve the Holy Spirit by allowing yourselves to be controlled by sin. When you sin (and you will), respond to the prompting of the Holy spirit and repent. If you realize you've been avoiding repentance for some time, recognize that you have been quenching the Holy Spirit, and may not be able to sense his leading as you once did. Don't allow shame to prevent you from running to the throne of grace. Repent and allow the Holy Spirit to bring you back into a right relationship with God.

Galatians 5:16-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

Keep in Step with the Spirit

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[b] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.