Walking In The Spirit September 8, 2024

Galatians 5:16-25 nkjv16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.❓What temptation do you struggle with the most❓ ❓What are some of your worst thoughts? 💥   Being born again Christians doesn’t mean we will not be tempted to sin.  ( Think bad or do wrong)  Vs 16) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

⭐     According to these verses, we have a “flesh”, a worldly nature that walks side by side with our spiritual life. v16)    1. We have a flesh nature ( Fallen nature) and 2. We have a Spirit nature( Born again nature)  2 Corinthians 5:17)  New creations in Christ.💥It’s not a sin to be tempted!  Have bad thoughts. ➣        Want to do wrong things.   ➣💥     Make no mistake.  It is never OK to entertain doing wrong things.  We just shouldn’t be surprised or upset because we are tempted to do evil!  Satan wants to get into our house!

⭐     A.  Jesus was tempted in all points as we are!  Hebrews 4:15) 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Which means:  1.   Temptation is not a sin. (He without sin)               2.   While Jesus lived on earth, He kept His walk with God without sin! ( He          walked in the Spirit. )      3.   While we live and walk with God, the devil wants what we have in our heart, our faith. Not just our mind! ( A thief breaks in a house because He wants what’s inside.  He doesn’t rob empty houses!)  

• We have not done anything necessarily wrong because we find a thief trying to break into our house!

⭐   When does temptation become sin?     A   James 1:14-15 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.1.   When we are “drawn away” and stop walking in the Spirit.2.   Give birth to our flesh thoughts and desires.  Manifest it in our life. 

•    When I fulfill the lust of the flesh.  Start doing what I’m tempted to do! v16) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• This is why it’s not good to entertain bad thoughts and keep unbiblical thoughts.
  • Satan will come in like he did in the garden and talk to us until we do what God tells us not to do!

3.    If we embrace sin, let it become our way (mature, bring forth fruit), it becomes the way of our life and we stay in it, then we need to reexamine our salvation! V James 1:15)15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.💥     If we don’t repent, but keep walking in our flesh and live our life according to the flesh, it will bring forth the death of the garden. v21) of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

⭐ How to walk in the Spirit!I.    John 3:5-7)   Must be saved.  Born again.  What’s of the flesh is flesh and what’s of the Spirit is spirit. 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

• We can be a Pharisee!   Act very religious.  Be good people but still lost and corrupt inwardly.

II.   John 16:12-14)  Must have the Holy Spirit 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 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. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 

• Learn the voice of Christ speaking to our heart.
• The Word is powerful.  Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

III.  Put the Word in your mind!  John 14:26)  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

A.     Psalms 119:11)  Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.B.     2 Corinthians 10:5) 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,We are to bring captive every thought into the obedience of Christ!

• Put the Word of God in our mind.
  • The doorway to the heart.
  • What the Spirit uses to guide us to all truth. 

IV.     Walking in the “Spirit” is the key to our life in Christ. v25) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.⭐    Our fight shouldn’t be so much to stop the thoughts and intents of our flesh but to WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

• Stop trying to stop thinking bad or wanting to do bad and start thinking good.
  • Renew the mind.  

➣  Col. 3:2  Put your mind on things above not on things of the earth. ➣  Phip. 4:8-9) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 

V.    We will not always struggle so hard!  Crucify the flesh v24)  24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

• Crucifixion is a slow death until finally it’s done! ➢ But the more we walk in the Spirit, the less power our flesh has.
• We will never stop being tempted, but that’s not the fight! 
  • ( Focus more on obedience.  What you are supposed to be doing and what once was a burden will become a joy!   What was once a dred will become a delight.

🚩     Satan will still use the “flesh” of the pure hearted Christian to tempt them.  (Jesus)