We have been looking at the writing of Paul to the church in Galatia. He has been providing us with some great inspiration for the new year here in chapter 5. He offers some very powerful advise in verse 16, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. “ Paul reminds us of what we will not do and what we will do when we live by the Spirit.
He says that we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. The amplified version for the second part of verse 16 says, “then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).” Paul tells us back in verse 13 But do not use your freedom, (the freedom that we have in Christ) to indulge the sinful nature. Paul list many of the desires of the sinful nature in verses 19-21. A key reason that Paul tells us not to gratify the desires of the sinful flesh is found in verse 17, “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.” It is very logical then if I plan to live by the Spirit that I do what the Spirit would want me to do.
So what does living by the Spirit look like? Paul gives us a 9 part package of what living by the Spirit looks like. They are known as the fruit of the Spirit. Notice that Paul does not say fruits of the Spirit. Fruit is singular not plural meaning that the fruit is not a list that we can choose from but that all nine traits, characteristics make up the fruit.
These fruit are qualities of disposition and temperament that occur in the child of God who has allowed the Spirit to have His way in our hearts and lives. Paul lists these fruit in verses 22 & 23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23. gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
My challenge to you is make Galatians 5:16 one of your new years resolutions. I will remind us what it says. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” As we live by the Spirit we will be allowing the fruit of the Spirit to be developing as a key part of our character. In addition to recapping our Sunday am message I am going to be recapping our evening message for the next several weeks. This recap will be a brief breakdown of each of the fruit of the Spirit. Blessings to all on your journey to live by the Spirit.
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