"In Conformity to the Word of God"Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Thoughts for Today:The Greek word PERIPATEO, translated as "walk", means "to make one's way or progress; to make due use of opportunities; and to regulate or conduct one's life" (Strong's Concordance). So how do we "walk by the Spirit"? In essence, Paul is telling us that it is by living and conducting our actions according to and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree perfectly. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit who inspired the written Word of God (2 Peter 1:21: "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."). The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6b: "And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth"); and God's Word is truth (John 17:17: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"). As a result, when we live our lives according to the Word of God, we are also walking in the Spirit.
However, it is critical to understand that the freedom from sin and its influence does not come from ourselves. It only comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to control us, He breaks "the desires of the flesh." This is one of the greatest differences between Christianity and other religions. Other religions teach that God will only accept us to the degree that we are able to overcome sin. In contrast, the Bible tells us it is God who provides His power (through the Holy Spirit) that enables us to do His will. What a difference!
Questions to Ponder:A battle with our sinful nature will not produce walking in the Spirit; however, walking in the Spirit will result in overcoming sin. It is the difference between defeat and victory. Are you living a victorious life? Have you given control of your life to the Spirit? Are you living in conformity to the Word of God?
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Thoughts for Today:The Greek word PERIPATEO, translated as "walk", means "to make one's way or progress; to make due use of opportunities; and to regulate or conduct one's life" (Strong's Concordance). So how do we "walk by the Spirit"? In essence, Paul is telling us that it is by living and conducting our actions according to and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree perfectly. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit who inspired the written Word of God (2 Peter 1:21: "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."). The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6b: "And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth"); and God's Word is truth (John 17:17: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"). As a result, when we live our lives according to the Word of God, we are also walking in the Spirit.
However, it is critical to understand that the freedom from sin and its influence does not come from ourselves. It only comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to control us, He breaks "the desires of the flesh." This is one of the greatest differences between Christianity and other religions. Other religions teach that God will only accept us to the degree that we are able to overcome sin. In contrast, the Bible tells us it is God who provides His power (through the Holy Spirit) that enables us to do His will. What a difference!
Questions to Ponder:A battle with our sinful nature will not produce walking in the Spirit; however, walking in the Spirit will result in overcoming sin. It is the difference between defeat and victory. Are you living a victorious life? Have you given control of your life to the Spirit? Are you living in conformity to the Word of God?
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