Being Led by the Spirit
(NIV) Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and the debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Did you ever notice that immediately preceding the scripture delineating the fruits of the Spirit is a dire warning concerning the acts of the flesh? Often the authors of the Bible use contrasts to make their point. There are few greater contrasts than the characteristics and behavior found in Galatians 5.
Paul instructs us that when we are led by the spirit we are no longer under the law. But the freedom we experience through Christ Jesus is never a license to sin. Rather, walking in the Spirit should produce in us a thirst for more and more of His righteousness.
As a young Christian when I first saw the fruits of the Spirit, I thought, “Oh my, I don’t think I can possibly live into this.” But then I saw that joy was one of the fruits. I said to myself, “ Joy! I can do that!” And so as I matured as a Christian I began to witness these fruits growing in my life.
When I look at the acts of the flesh, I shudder at the thought that I, as a Christian, would allow any of these behaviors to inhabit my being. But I know, understand and believe that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I can turn from the sinful behavior as shown in verses 19-21, and embrace the qualities of spiritual fruit.
May we recognize today that as Christ followers we should grow into people who embody those qualities that are born of the Spirit of the Living God.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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