Follow the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26

During my life as an educator I have moved several times and as a result have belonged to six different Southern Baptist churches ranging in memberships of one hundred to two thousand; and with average attendance from approximately fifty to eleven hundred. As I think about these churches where I have worshipped, several people from each church stand out in some kind of special way. At the same time there are hundreds of members that I do not even remember. I realize that my forgetfulness is the major problem here, but I also will remind those that I do not remember that they may have been the reason they are not remembered.
As I continue to think about my personal roll call of the faithful, I realize they came from different educational and economic levels or backgrounds. Since I have been a member of the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas for the last 34+ years, it is only natural and expected that many of these great Christians are my Heber friends. Not one of them would have thought he or she was an especially inspiring role model of faith. NOTE: {I MAY BE TALKING ABOUT YOU, SO LISTEN…}. What was the common characteristic that led them to their remarkable lives?
In light of this lesson, I believe that the common characteristic is the fact that each one has chosen to follow the Spirit’s leadership as a way of life. Instead of a self-directed life, that inevitably leads to frustration, these inspiring role models chose to follow and be led by God’s Spirit.
I hope you remember that Christ told his disciples and other followers just before he ascended into heaven following his resurrection that He would not leave them alone and without help. He said, “I will send you the Holy Spirit who will comfort you and instruct you” therefore we do not have to worry about being alone without help. The great leaders, the outstanding members of our churches today listen to the teaching of the Holy Spirit and follow the instructions they receive. These instructions do not come unless you keep your eyes and heart on God’s word.
The first five chapters in Galatians deal almost inclusively with the two exclusive ways of attempting to be righteous before God—the law and Grace. First, the law cannot make a person righteous, but there are still many that try to follow it because “good works” plays on human pride and builds our egos. If we are a doer of “good works” it can deceive us into thinking we are better than we are, and most of us like to do that. Just as it was with the Jews, the way of the law produces a combination of pride, arrogance, frustration and doubt. The second way under the new covenant is of grace through faith in Christ. Remember that our salvation is not free—Christ paid the price—but thanks are unto God, OUR ACCESS TO GRACE IS FREE JUST FOR THE ASKING.
What have you done as an individual with the freedom to this access? Have you through your faith requested this personal access? Once granted this perfect freedom do you use it as an excuse to engage in unrighteous behavior? Paul said, “Absolutely not”. The honest and sincere will acknowledge that the freedom brought with it a responsibility to draw close to Jesus and begin to imitate Him.
Do you remember that Paul once said that he did what he should not and failed to do what he should? Look at 5: 16-18. If your sinful desires are being gratified then you know that you are not living by the Spirit. Look! Listen! “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Pick up the Sunday newspaper and read the head lines and you will find examples of the sinful nature of man in 2009. The list given in verses 19-21 will exist and be covered as a new article in just about any paper. The shocking thing about the articles you read is that many of them will give you examples of ways that people are living today as acceptable and in some case very desirable life styles.
Now use the same paper and try to find an article of any kind that will express the fruit of the Spirit. There may be a few examples but you can feel very fortunate if you find half as many as you find of about man’s sinful nature. Verse 22 describes a tree with a different desirable fruit hanging from each limb. You should read them slowly and think about your desires to have these qualities in your life. IF YOU DESIRE TO HAVE THE QUALITIES LISTED AS ‘Fruit of the Spirit’, THEN YOU KNOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LEADING YOU.
How can you know that you are FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT? The process will employ at least three aspects. 1. Do you desire to hear what God has to say to you personally? Watch out! Don’t get caught with the wrong answer. Well, if you are a Christian then your answer should be YES. But if you answer me with a “yes” I will ask you how often you study your Bible with the intention of allowing God to talk to you? Is it often enough for you to prove to others that you really have a desire to hear what God has to say to you?
Following the spirit requires a 2nd aspect—are you ready and willing to obey God’s word? Are you obedient? Do you tithe your income?
No. 3, do you have the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and what God has told you to do. In other words—do you hear him speak and know what he says, but you just do not ‘feel like’ he really is talking to you, but this is for someone else?
Put all these three aspects together and you will live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Paul described the two forces that are conflicting within us. They are the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature. Man is equipped with physical mind that thrives on evil desires and it will take over control of your actions if it is allowed to run loose without spiritual instructions. First we must want to control these evil desires, and when we are sincere in wanting to control—then the Holy Spirit will step in and help. The Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger than we are—but He has no power at all until He is invited to help us in our control.
We all [lost sinner and saved sinner] have evil desires and we must not try to ignore them. We must recognize them and deal with them decisively. The Bible teaches that we must put Satan behind us; grind his head with our heal; and that we must get rid of our sin; crucify it—that is put it to death as on the cross. Verse 24 says “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desires.” This does not mean that you will forget the evil desires that have always been with you, but it does mean that you can not continue to practice the fulfillment of the evil desire. How can you know YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT?
Ask yourself; “Is this the path that Jesus would follow.” Must be Yes.