READ Galatians 5:22-26

This morning we continue our study of walking in the Spirit.  Again, the reason this is so important is because this is how we conquer the supremacy of the flesh.  This fight against the flesh will continue until God takes us home to glory.  

The believer is to live reflecting God's nature: a life that is marked by the Fruit of the Spirit. Note that the fruit which is produced in the believer is the fruit of the Spirit.  The Fruit of the Spirit is an act of the mercy and grace of a loving God.  It is God who changes us from the inside out!

vs. 22-23 - The believer is to live bearing God's nature.  God will work out every single fruit in us as we live surrendered to His will and enabled by His Spirit.  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  Let me encourage you to study this list, and to evaluate what the fruit in your life looks like.  Where do you exhibit the fruit of God's Spirit in your life?  Where are you weak, in what areas of your life do you see the fruit of the Spirit lacking?  God wants you to be wholly living under the power of His Spirit.

vs. 24 - The believer is to live bearing a crucified flesh.  "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."  This is not a once in a lifetime act, Christ died once for us, but as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, "...I die daily.” The word "affections" refers to our feelings, and the word "lusts" refers to our desires or our wants.  If you are in Christ, you are to crucify the flesh with its inherent feelings and desires on a daily basis.  It is helpful to understand that our old nature operates based on what it feels and what it wants.  Many believers make bad choices because of their feelings and wants.  By contrast, the yielded believer allows the Holy Spirit to operate within on the basis of righteousness and holiness.  It is because we want to please God that decisions are made.  What a difference this makes!  So, make up your mind to not live according to the dictates of your feeling and wants, but live according to the will of God.

vs. 25 - The believer is to walk consistent with his position in Christ.  "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."  Paul opened this very topic back in Galatians 5:16, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."  Not much needs to be said here, since it is very plain.  If we are alive in the Spirit, we should walk in the Spirit!

vs. 26 - The believer is to walk free from selfishness, super-spirituality, and envy.  "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."  Paul makes this appeal because of the division which had occurred in the Galatian churches over the debate of Judaism.  This doctrinal division had brought on the reign of carnality in pride, stubbornness, and provoking others.  Those things are clearly of the flesh.  God wants us to live in humility and brokenness, while encouraging others.  

MAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES WALKING UNDER THE CONTROL AND INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!  (Ephesians 5:18)

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Are you comfortable with the quality of fruit being produced in your life?  Why or why not?

2.  Are you making any effort to improve the quality and production of fruit in your life?

3.  What things do you need to crucify in your life?  Why are these things such a struggle for you?

4.  What does it mean to live (or walk) in the Spirit?

5.  In what ways does spiritual pride cause you to stumble?  What is your role in preventing pride from controlling your life?