LIVING BY THE SPIRIT

Lesson 12 for December 17, 2011

In Galatians, 5: 16-26, Paul is talking about “walking in the Spirit” in contrast to
doing “the works of the flesh”.
What does the Bible mean by “walking” in God’s ways (Deuteronomy, 13: 4-5;
Romans, 13: 13; Colossians, 1: 10)?
Fearing God
Keeping His commandments
Hearing His voice
Serving Him
Following Him
Pleasing Him in everything
Bearing fruit of good deeds
Growing in knowing God
Behaving honorably
Definitely, “walking” means the conduct
that must characterize a believer’s life.
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you to walk worthy of the
calling with which you were called”
(Ephesians, 4: 1)
In the Bible, “walking” is related to observing the law.

In the New Testament, a new

aspect is introduced in that
idea. It not only involves
observing the Ten
Commandments expanded by
Jesus’ teachings, but it also
involves that that observance
must be guided or motivated
by the Spirit.

Paul contrasts the Christian

conduct (the fruit of the Spirit)
with a non-Christian conduct
(the works of the flesh)
“Because the carnal mind is WHAT ARE THE WORKS
enmity against God; for it is not
subject to the law of God, nor
OF THE FLESH?
indeed can be. So then, those
who are in the flesh cannot
please God” (Romans, 8: 7-8)
With the expression “the works of
the flesh”, Paul is talking about
breaking God’s Commandments.
Doing the works of the flesh
means to be influenced by our
sinful nature instead of being
influenced by the Spirit.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:

adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry,
sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of
wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy,
murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of
which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
time past, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians, 5: 19-21)
WHAT IS THE FRUIT
OF THE SPIRIT?
 “Shall we consider that we are capable of fashioning our lives and
characters to enter into the portals of glory? We cannot do it. We are
dependent every moment upon the Spirit of God operating upon us and
upon our children…
Your compassionate Redeemer is watching you in love and sympathy, ready to hear your prayers,
and render you the assistance which you need in your life-work. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
gentleness, faith and charity are the elements of the Christian character. These precious graces are
the fruits of the Spirit. They are the Christian’s crown and shield.... Nothing can give more perfect
content and satisfactions.
As you receive the Spirit of Christ, ... you will grow and bring forth fruit. The graces of the Spirit
will ripen in your character. Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made
perfect. More and more you will reflect the likeness of Christ in all that is pure, noble, and
lovely…
This fruit can never perish, but will produce after its kind a harvest unto eternal life”

E.G.W. (Sons and daughters of God, January 26)

 THE FIGHT OF THE CHRISTIAN
“For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law
at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my
mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my
members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this
body of death?” (Romans, 7: 22-24 NIV)

The fight between the desire of

sinning (the works of the flesh) and
the desire of doing God’s will (the
fruit of the Spirit) is a constant fight
for the believer. We can only win that
fight by clinging to Jesus Christ.
The only hope we have to control the
flesh is to make the daily decision of
be in the Spirit’s side against our
sinful side.
 T H E WAY TO V I C TO RY
It’s interesting how “the works of the flesh”
is written in the plural and “the fruit of the In Galatians, 5: 16-26, Paul uses five
spirit” in the singular. There are a lot of different verbs to teach how a believer’s
ways to sin, but only one way to live a life life can be lived.
that pleases God.
1. “To walk” (to stroll), verse 16. To daily live in
harmony with God’s will as Enoch did.
2. “To be led” verse 18. To let the Spirit guide us
to the right paths.
3. “To crucify”, verse 24. We must make the
firm decision of making the desires of the
flesh die. We crucify the flesh when we feed
our spiritual life.
4. “To live”, verse 25. The believer must renew
the experience of a new birth every day.
5. “To walk” (to march in one direction), verse
25. If we have already accepted the
conduction of the Holy Spirit, we'll effectively
show it in our daily life.
“The Holy Spirit is our efficiency in the work of
character building, in forming characters after the
divine similitude. When we think ourselves
capable of molding our own experience, we
make a great mistake. We can never of ourselves
obtain the victory over temptation. But those who
have genuine faith in Christ will be worked by
the Holy Spirit. The soul in whose heart faith
abides will grow into a beautiful temple for the
Lord. He is directed by the grace of Christ. Just
in proportion as he depends on the Holy Spirit’s
teaching he will grow. The influence of the Holy
Spirit is the life of Christ in the soul”

E.G.W. (That I may know Him, February 20)