Revisiting "Walking in The Spirit"
(Galatians 5:16-26)
We can view "walking in the Spirit" in differing ways. One concise way
to summarize the process I call the "5 Habits of Truly Spiritual
Christians." They are implied in this text (as well as surrounding
context), though some of them are expounded in more detail elsewhere.
Assumption: we are saved--truly born again (John 3) and have dedicated
ourselves to serve the Lord (Rom. 124:1-2).
I. Confession/Restoration (hinted at in Galatians 6:1, dealt with in detail in I John 1:8-9
and Psalm 51)
II. Cultivating:Accumulating the Materials withWhich the Spirit Will Build (16, 25)--
dealt with in more detail in Colossian 3:16, Rom. 8:5, 12:1-2, Psalm 1, I Thess. 5:16ff...
--things like a daily quiet time, church involvement, prayer, and "body life" are implied
here... ("An Active Passivity" Francis Shaeffer, True Spirituality, p.p.58-59)
III. Evaluating (Fruit Inspecting) (19-24)
1. Works (fruit) of the flesh are obvious/unashamed and blatant...
A. Sexual Sins:(1) sexual immorality/(2) impurity=uncleaness of mind
(3)debauchery =unrestrained living (15) orgies
B. Religious Sins: (4) idolatry=worship of images (5) witchcraft= casting of
spells, magic, use of drugs
C. Relational Sins: 6) hatred=hostility (7)discord=strife (8) jealousy (9) fits of
rage (10) selfish ambition (11) dissension(quarreling), (12) factions (being
divisive) (13) envy
D. Intentional Impairment (14) Drunkenness / (5)Witchcraft (drugs)
2. Fruit of the Spirit...
(1) love (agape) for God and others
(2) joy--happiness/sense of feeling blessed
(3) peace-calm
(4) patience--long-suffering--able to wait peaceably
(5) kindness--goodness
(6) gentleness--meekness; a submissive spirit
(7) self-control--the holding in of passions
IV. Reckoning (5:24 and 2:20) see also Rom. 6:11
V. Depending Upon the Spirit to Empower Us (16, 25; see also Zech.
4:6)--including waiting upon and listening!!!
