We Must Walk by The Spirit or We Will Walk in the Flesh by Bryan Craig

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16 ESV

A few weeks ago, I was reminded of a horrific event that happened involving a man who claimed to be a Christian leader falling into sexual sin with underage boys.  Things like this are so disturbing and disheartening.  I was crying out to God about this.

Somewhere in my searching, the Holy Spirit guided my broken heart to Galatians 5.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:16-21 ESV

This passage is very stark, and I do not think this is a verse that just describes non-believers.  Paul is teaching that we must “walk by the Spirit” and not “by the flesh.”  We were all born with a sin nature that is capable of doing anything and everything on this list.  It goes back to a recurring belief for me that you can be a “Believer” in Jesus Christ and NOT be a “Follower” of Christ.  Walking by the Spirit is for “Followers,” in my opinion.   I also believer “Followers” are those who seek to Abide in Christ.  

A quick survey of this list, and you might quickly dismiss it as beneath our righteousness.  But I remember my pastor years ago, saying everyone can find something on this list that they struggle with.

So before I judge this pedophile of his crimes, the Holy Spirit tells me to guard my own heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  He wants me to realize what I could be, IF I didn’t abide with Him and let His Spirit lead me.  If I’m honest with myself, I know it’s true.  It’s a warning for me and all believers.

This is why casual Christianity becomes a casualty.  

Jesus calls us to abide with Him, to remain in the Vine (John 15:5) because we need His strength and power to overcome our sin nature and this sinful world of temptation.  We must seek Him every day with honest, contrite hearts, praying:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!  Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

We must repent of anything the Spirit shows us, making sure there is no willful sin in our lives.  We must also make sure we are being obedient in every area where the Spirit is prompting.  We must forgive and be forgiven.  As we humble ourselves and give ourselves to Him, we begin to walk with The Spirit.  And then, we see that He wants to give us the Fruit of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

This is what Jesus wants His followers to look like.  I’ve seen these fruits in my own life and the lives of others who walk by the Spirit.  It’s powerful, strong, infectious and beautiful.  This is what the world needs to see in us who call ourselves Christians.

This is why it’s not enough for us to lead people to profess a belief in Christ.  We must come alongside them and show them what it means to walk in the Spirit.  We must help them learn to Abide in Christ.  Otherwise, they may fall prey to their sin nature, and as Paul says, their very salvation will be called into question.

And before we do any of that, we must make sure we are Abiding!