Weekly Bible Study
I say
then, Walk in the Spirit,
and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
--- Gal. 5:16
It is certainly a
wonderful promise and assurance to know that,
… if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfil the lust of
the flesh!
But, what does it mean to … walk in the Spirit?
Does it mean that …
our spirit is
or should be in control of our lives?
Our spirit is controlled by the Holy Spirit?
A living relationship with the Holy Spirit?
In other words,
does walking in the Spirit mean my life should be under control
spiritually
… either by my own spirit?
… or by the Holy Spirit?
Alternatively,
… is it talking about me cooperating with God and the Holy
Spirit?
And either way,
… is there something I can do or need to do?
Well firstly, what
does in the spirit mean?
Jesus gave us a good indication of what “walking or
living in” means,
when He made this comparison between the body of Christ
and a vine with its branches in John, chapter 15,
saying ...
Abide in
Me, and I in you.
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
unless it abides in the vine,
neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches:
He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
for without me you can do nothing.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
you shall ask what you will,
and it shall be done unto you.
--- John
15:4-7
As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself …
In these verses, Jesus was describing a relationship
… highlighting the reality of a depending on one another,
… and the powerful results of such a relationship!
There needs to be a connection, a real connection,
… for there to be real results,
and Jesus also said,
… this connection is in fact a living relationship with Him!
A relationship
in which Jesus can depend on us
… to bear the fruit that is in Him!
A relationship in which we depend on Him
… to be the source of our lives and fruit!
By acting on His word or instructions to us!
The same applies
to walking IN the Spirit.
To walk in the Spirit does not mean walking spiritually,
... nor is it primarily about your spirit,
but walking in the Spirit
… is about an active relationship,
… a real living, personal relationship with the Holy Spirit,
A relationship in which He is our source!
In the very next chapter, in John 16, Jesus went on to tell us
what this relationship with the Holy Spirit is all about,
… revealing to us God's plan for this relationship
… as well as what the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our
lives is,
saying ...
However,
when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,
He will guide you into all
truth;
for He will not speak on His own authority,
but whatever He hears He will speak;
and He will tell you things to come.
He will glorify Me,
for He will take of what is Mine and declare
it to you.
--- John
16:13-14
Jesus was
describing a relationship,
... the relationship between the Holy Spirit, Jesus and the
Father
and
... the relationship that there should be between us and the Holy
Spirit.
| Depending on the
Holy Spirit! |
To walk in the
Spirit is not about being spiritual,
… what you do according to your spirit,
… or what your spirit does,
but it is about ...
… relying or depending on the Holy Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit is a walk with the Holy Spirit,
... a close walk with the Holy Spirit,
... a dependence on the Holy Spirit;
a living relationship ...
... in which we respect and obey the Holy Spirit's instructions,
... in which we receive His guidance and direction.
In this (living) relationship, this (real) walk in the Spirit,
... you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh!
This however does not mean the opportunity will not arise,
... that the desires of the flesh will simply disappear!
No!...
… as Jesus rightly said in the very same breath,
These
things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have
peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.
--- John 16:33
Yes, the
opportunities will come,
… but inside of that relationship, with Him,
… inside that peace, in Him who has overcome,
You will overcome and not fulfil the lust of the flesh!
How will you
overcome these temptations?
When you are … in HIM!
The question
therefore is ...
Where are you?
What is your relationship with
the Holy Spirit like?
Are you walking in a real
living relationship with Him?
Are you relying on Him to guide your decisions?
Are you …
Casting down arguments,
and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ.
--- 2 Cor.
10:5
Are you with Him?
Are you walking in Him? ...
... hearing Him and following His guidance?
If you are, you cannot fulfil the lust of the flesh
... but you will fulfil the will of the Father!
