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LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 21)

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LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 21)

LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 21).

Galatians 5. Verses 16-18 read:

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

From today’s text, we see Apostle Paul make a very emphatic statement on how the believer can win over the ungodly appetites of the flesh. He says to the Galatian believers, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust or desire of the flesh.” What then is the walk in the Spirit? It entails:

  1. Making the environment of the Holy Spirit our place of abode and operation. Environments have an influence on those who live in them. In the environment of the Holy Spirit, men come under the influence of the Spirit. This facilitates their operation in the Spirit.
  2. Being attentive to the Holy Spirit in order to hear him. Early in this series, we mentioned that the Holy Spirit is a teacher who guides us into all truth. The words of the Holy Spirit provide accurate direction to men. For an effective walk in the Spirit, the believer must hear what the Spirit says.
  3. Obeying the Holy Spirit: This has to do with taking actions that are in sync with the truth, directions, and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

When a man chooses to walk in the Spirit, he positions himself away from the gratification of the desires of the flesh. The desires of the flesh are contrary and opposed to those of the Spirit. Thus, the choice to walk in the Spirit is the sure antidote to dealing with the desires of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit is mandatory for anyone who will make it in his walk with God.

In the walk in the Spirit, a man surrenders the leadership of his life to the Holy Spirit, whilst he assumes the position of an obedient follower. This is a higher walk, which transcends man’s own efforts at obeying the Lord. Rather, the walk in the Spirit involves an inner drive by the Holy Spirit for the man to act in accordance with the will of God. This function of the Holy Spirit is beautifully captured in Philippians 2 verses 12-13 as follows:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Yes, the inner workings of God through the Holy Spirit must find expression in men to seal a man’s walk in the Holy Spirit.

SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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