7.51 Walk in our new nature in the Spirit, not the flesh
Many believers have come out of Egypt (a type of the world), but Egypt is still on their minds (Acts 7:39; Rom 8:5). Though we have already been delivered from the old sinful nature, we have to start walking according to our new nature of the Spirit instead of the flesh (Rom 8:3-5; Gal 5:16-18).
(Galatians 5:16-17)
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill 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.
To walk in the flesh is to walk independent of the power of God. It is to follow our physical senses and desires. Gal 5:17 says that the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another.
We are to put aside the old sinful cravings and sinful habits of the flesh, which result in death. Such habits and bondages allow Satan to steal, kill and destroy our lives. James 1:15 says, “Sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Sinful habits entangle and prevent us from running our race to fulfill our destiny (Heb 12:1). Each of us has sinful habits, big or small, but God wants us to be freed from them all.
The key to overcoming sinful habits is not through trying not to sin. It is not in trying to keep the law in our own effort. It is through receiving more of the Life of God, which is manifested as fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit can transform us from within to establish true holiness. For example, we can try very hard not to be angry with someone. We can struggle to keep the law by restraining our actions and thoughts and we frequently fail. But when we have the fruit of love, we will not be angry. Love is the opposite of hate or anger. The Life of God swallows up sin.
When we try to keep the law in our own effort, we will fail. The law has no power to help the sinner, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the power to transform us from within. The Holy Spirit is the outworking of grace in our hearts. That is why sin shall have no dominion over those who live under the grace of our Lord Jesus. But sin has dominion over those who live under law.
(Romans 6:14)
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Today, if we are led by the Spirit – if we are dependent on Him, we are not under law. The Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit is the key to Christian living.
(Galatians 5:18)
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
(Galatians 5:16-17)
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill 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.
To walk in the flesh is to walk independent of the power of God. It is to follow our physical senses and desires. Gal 5:17 says that the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another.
We are to put aside the old sinful cravings and sinful habits of the flesh, which result in death. Such habits and bondages allow Satan to steal, kill and destroy our lives. James 1:15 says, “Sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” Sinful habits entangle and prevent us from running our race to fulfill our destiny (Heb 12:1). Each of us has sinful habits, big or small, but God wants us to be freed from them all.
The key to overcoming sinful habits is not through trying not to sin. It is not in trying to keep the law in our own effort. It is through receiving more of the Life of God, which is manifested as fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit can transform us from within to establish true holiness. For example, we can try very hard not to be angry with someone. We can struggle to keep the law by restraining our actions and thoughts and we frequently fail. But when we have the fruit of love, we will not be angry. Love is the opposite of hate or anger. The Life of God swallows up sin.
When we try to keep the law in our own effort, we will fail. The law has no power to help the sinner, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the power to transform us from within. The Holy Spirit is the outworking of grace in our hearts. That is why sin shall have no dominion over those who live under the grace of our Lord Jesus. But sin has dominion over those who live under law.
(Romans 6:14)
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Today, if we are led by the Spirit – if we are dependent on Him, we are not under law. The Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit is the key to Christian living.
(Galatians 5:18)
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:38 AM
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