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Galatians 5:16 - Live and Walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16: Live and Walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye 
shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

Galatians 5:16 (EAV) But I say, walk and live [habitually] in 
the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the 
Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of 
the flesh (of human nature without God). 

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your 
lives. Then you wont be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

WORD STUDY

FLESH. the sinful nature is received at birth and never 
eradicated in this life. But it can be controlled by the Spirit. Walk. 
i.e., take each step of the Christian life in dependence on the Spirit 
to have victory over the flesh and its works.  [Ryrie SB] 

LIVE. The present imperative live could be translated, 
keep on living. By continually depending upon and yielding to God, 
the believer can live under the control of the Holy Spirit and does 
not need to carry out the desires that seek to hold sway over his 
physical body (the "flesh"). [New Bible Companion] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Intentional Negligence
   The Kingdom life is a matter of walking in the Spirit. That's 
not a controversial statement; virtually every Christian would agree 
with it. But not all Christians remember it on a day-by-day or 
moment-by-moment basis. Instead, we turn our attention to the flesh and try to 
stamp it out, starve it, get rid of it, or any other such direct 
approach. Human logic tells us that if we want to stop gratifying the 
desires of the flesh, we should focus on denying those desires. But this 
logic leads us only to frustration. 
   Think of the absurdity. Are we really going to be able to 
stamp out the power of the flesh in the power of the flesh? Is 
self-discipline really our best option when the self is the problem to begin 
with? Does any problem really get better by our obsessing over it? Or 
is there perhaps a better way? 
   Paul says there's a much better way, and it doesn't involve 
addressing the flesh at all. Instead, we choose to walk by the Spirit 
without even paying attention to the flesh. If we're filled with the 
Spirit and living by His direction and desires, we won't exactly have 
room for the flesh to grow stronger. Ignoring our misplaced desires 
may seem negligent and irresponsible - doesn't somebody have to deal 
with them firmly? - but focusing on them only honors their power. Pay 
them no attention. Invest yourself fully in the Spirit. Let that life 
overcome the one you're leaving behind. 
   If what we focus on tends to grow larger, then the only way 
to become stronger in the Spirit is to focus on the Spirit. Or for 
another commonly used illustration, whatever you feed will strengthen, 
and whatever you starve will weaken. Just as God is not at all 
obsessed with His enemies, we don't have any reason to be obsessed with 
ours - even the ones within. Our only preoccupation is a holy 
connection with the Spirit Himself. In Him, we have everything we need to 
think, feel, desire, speak, and act in Kingdom ways. [The One Year 
Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] 

COMMENTARY

Spiritual Living
   The Holy Spirit fuels spiritual living. This is where freedom 
resides and where fruit bearing takes place. The flesh is pre-conversion 
to Christ living; it is reliance on self to seek security. The 
Spirit is post-conversion to Christ living; it is reliance on God to 
secure earthly and eternal security. The Spirit and the flesh conflict, 
but the flesh has been put to death by faith and the Spirit has come 
alive. Spiritual living submits to Christ. Spiritual living thrives as 
we surrender daily to Jesus.  
   The way we became a Christian - by grace through faith - is 
the same way we continue as a Christian. Yet, the flesh tries to 
flaunt its old habits as teasers to entice us not to trust God. But we 
know better - its better not to boast in the flesh, but be humbled 
by the Spirit. When we walk in the Spirit we are empowered to bear 
the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit brings wisdom when we consider 
ways that are unwise. The Spirit brings conviction when we begin to 
drift from our convictions. The Spirit brings comfort when we struggle 
with discomfort. The Holy Spirit is heavens secret to spiritual 
living. [Wisdom Hunters Devotional re Gal. 5:25] 

Spiritual Living And The Word
   To "walk in the Spirit" means to have our daily lives under 
His control, and this means under the direction of the Word of God. 
"If we live in the Spirit" (this is salvation, being made alive by 
the Spirit), "let us also walk in the Spirit" (this is 
sanctification, allowing the Spirit to command and control our lives). Compare 
Eph. 5:18-24 with Col. 3:15-19 and you will see that to be filled 
with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Word of God, for the 
results are identical. "Walking in the Spirit" is not some emotional 
experience, detached from everyday life. It is the daily experience of the 
believer who feeds on the Word, prays, and obeys what the Bible says. 
[Wiersbe Expository Outlines] 

Spiritual Living Is A Relationship
   Christ in us can manifest His holiness if we will yield our 
flesh to Him.  This is not a human operation; it is a spiritual one.  
Jesus installs His holiness in us by grace.  Not a once-for-all-time 
transaction, this is a daily, moment-by-moment striving to live more by the 
Spirit and less by the flesh. 
   Though becoming more holy is God's work in us, it is not a 
passive enterprise.  Our part is active, to strive and stain toward the 
high calling we have received.  God's part is to forgive our failings 
based on the merit of Christ's atoning death. 
   His will is that we become holy ... This kind of holiness is 
not the result of our own best effort... 
   The forgiveness of Christ makes us holy; He washed away our 
sin.  In reality, God in us - the Holy Spirit - makes us holy.  There 
is no possibility of holiness apart from His grace.  He calls us, 
He justifies us, He sanctifies us (makes us holy), and He will 
glorify us - all by His grace. 
   Our part is to surrender in faith; God's part is to implant 
the sanctifying Holy Spirit in us.  "So I say, live by the Spirit, 
and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" 
(Gal.5:16).  Because of His everlasting love, we know Him, and He is 
faithful to mold us into the character of His Son Jesus Christ - to make 
us holy. Patrick Morley; [Time with God SB] 

Spiritual Living Has Characteristic Fruit
   Love, joy, peace, patience.... The "fruit" of the Holy Spirit 
is the visible result of God's Spirit working within us. Yet there 
is a struggle going on in the heart: human nature versus the Holy 
Spirit. As a follower of Jesus, you are sealed with his Spirit. You have 
the Holy Spirit living in you, convicting you of your sin and 
effecting changes in your life to help you become more like Jesus (2 
Corinthians 3:18). But you have a choice every day. You can choose to follow 
your own desires or you can choose to follow the Spirit's leading.  
   Paul says, "Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives." It is 
important to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives because he 
produces character traits that are not natural for us, but which are 
found abundantly in the nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the "true 
grapevine" (John 15:1-5). By staying rooted in the vine (through things 
like Bible study and prayer), we allow the Spirit to produce fruit in 
us.  
   Submit every aspect of your life to the Spirit's guidance, 
keep in step with the Spirit's leading, and then watch for fruit to 
blossom in your life. [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Gal. 
5:16-26] 

   Much of modern-day Christianity is lacking power and 
conviction because it lacks a close encounter with this aspect of the 
Spirit's resources. If we are to experience the fullness of the Spirit in 
our lives, then we must open ourselves to everything He wants to 
give us. We must not pick and choose and say, "I'll take this but not 
that," for in order to be God's true representatives in this world, we 
must know Him in all His fullness.  
   I watched a man on television one day examine a beautiful 
painting. He studied it for a few moments and said, "Its perspective is 
good, the coloring is fine, the tones are excellent, the idea behind 
it is to be commended, but it lacks . . . that."  
   The same can be said of a lot of Christian activity in this 
generation. Our preaching is correct, our worship services are 
well-structured, our music is fine, our organization is superb, but it lacks one 
thing"the throbbing power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power of the 
Spirit in our midst, we are preaching unquickened truth"truth that 
doesn't fall upon the soul with convicting, sobering, awakening, 
converting power. Our Christianity is not bad"it is just dull. The Holy 
Spirit, when accepted and obeyed, turns insipidity into inspiration, 
dullness into dancing, and mediocrity into magnificence. If we are not 
careful, we may find ourselves in court one of these days accused of 
contravening the Trade Descriptions Act!  
   Ouch, Lord, this hurts! But I know from experience that You 
hurt me in order to heal me. Begin with me today, and set me on fire 
that others may catch it, too! Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with 
Selwyn Hughes devotional re 1Co. 2:4] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

   Did you know that God gives you the motivation to do what he 
wants you to do [Phi. 2:13]? This includes the motivation to get 
physically healthy. He gives you not just the power to do it, but also the 
desire to do it. The motivation to do God's will actually comes from 
God himself.  
   So if you don't already desire to get physically healthy so 
much that you're willing to schedule movement into your calendar or 
take healthy steps with your eating, ask God to give you that desire. 
If you aren't motivated to get enough rest or take time alone with 
God each day, ask him for the motivation. Tell him, "Lord, I don't 
want to make these healthy changes, but I want to want to make them. 
It's been tough trying to shift my mindset, but I desire to do that. 
Please fill me with your Holy Spirit, so that I love what you promise 
and desire what you command." He longs to answer that prayer. 
   God is eager to give you the motivation to make the healthy 
changes you desire. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional] 

CLOSING THOUGHTS

How did Enoch walk with God? He educated his mind and heart to 
ever feel that he was in the presence of God, and when in perplexity 
his prayers would ascend to God to keep him. He refused to take any 
course that would offend His God. He kept the Lord continually before 
Him. {1SAT 32} 

Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to 
conquering sinful desires (see v. 25; Ro 8:2-4). [NIV SB] 

In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of 
getting into His stride, but once we have done so...the individual 
person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God's stride and 
His power alone are exhibited.  [In His Time; My Utmost For His 
Highest] 

EXCELLENT ILLUSTRATION 

Two Wolves: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8CHjX8HauA&feature=related 

EXCELLENT VIDEO ON EXPERIENCING GOD

Experiencing Gods Grace by Dwight Nelson: 
https://vimeo.com/18654483 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best] 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE

Musical Devotional On Christian Living: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad: 
https://vimeo.com/162267518