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"Walk in the Spirit..."

Text: Galatians 5:16a

A CRUCIAL DIFFERENCE

One of the most crucial differences between Paul’s theology and that of the Judaizers has to do with the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Judaizers had nothing to offer with reference to the doctrine of the Spirit of God. All they offered was a set of fixed traditional rules and practices that were potentially ruinous. Paul’s exposition of Christianity offered a refreshing and vital difference!

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the
lust of the flesh. 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. But
if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:16-18

1. “I say then”

a) Paul’s advice came from a wealth of personal experience.

b) He was a Spirit-filled servant of the Lord.

2. “Walk in the Spirit”

a) The word “walk” is a reference to the Christian lifestyle.

b) It is daily living that truly counts.

c) Religious adherence outside one’s daily life was empty religion.

d) The true believer would want to “walk in the Spirit”.

3. The flesh versus the Spirit

a) The flesh is spoken of in contrast to the Spirit.

b) The flesh and the Spirit are mutually exclusive.

c) They war against each other by nature.

4. If the flesh is entertained

a) There will be no power to do anything significant for God.

b) The flesh represents a lifestyle influenced heavily by the world and sin.

5. “Led by the Spirit”

Paul well describes the ministry of the Holy Spirit in Romans 8.

a) He will lead us to relate to God most meaningfully.

b) He will empower so that there will be triumph over the flesh.

c) He will transform the life of the believer from glory to glory.

d) He will aid the believer in every way possible so that he can be fruitful in life and ministry.