Guided by the Spirit: Aligning Desires with God
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Galatians chapter 5, starting from verse 16, which emphasizes the importance of letting the Holy Spirit guide our lives. This guidance is crucial because it helps us resist our sinful nature, which is in constant conflict with the Spirit. Paul, in his letter, lists the manifestations of a life led by sinful desires, such as sexual immorality, jealousy, and outbursts of anger. These are contrasted with the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We all have desires, and not all of them are inherently bad. For instance, our need for food and water is natural. However, when these desires become disordered and start ruling our lives, they lead us away from God's intended path. This is evident in the story of Adam and Eve, where Eve's desire for wisdom led her to disobey God. Similarly, Jesus, when tempted by the devil in the wilderness, showed us the importance of prioritizing God's word over our natural desires.
Our desires can be deceptive. They don't always tell the truth and can lead us into traps. James 1:14 warns us that we are tempted by our own desires, which can lure us away and trap us. Proverbs 14:12 also reminds us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. This is why it's crucial to align our desires with God's will.
The enemy often tries to deceive us by appealing to our desires, just as he did with Eve. He wants us to focus on our immediate wants rather than the eternal life God offers. This deception can make us less than what God intended us to be. Romans 8:5 contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit. The former have their minds set on fleshly desires, while the latter focus on what the Spirit desires.
Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is a powerful example of resisting disordered desires. Despite being hungry after fasting for 40 days, He refused to turn stones into bread, showing that our true sustenance comes from God's word. This teaches us that even good desires can become wrong if they take precedence over our relationship with God.
Sin is essentially a misalignment of our desires. When our desires are disordered, they lead us away from God's plan. This is why Jesus emphasized the importance of the heart in His teachings. It's not just about our actions but also our thoughts and desires. We all struggle with this, but the Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome our sinful desires.
The kingdom of God is not just a future experience but something we can experience here and now. When we let our sinful desires rule us, we forfeit the love, joy, and peace that come from living in God's kingdom. A kingdom is a group of people ruled by a king, and when we let God rule our lives, we experience true freedom and life.
In conclusion, we are called to live by the Spirit and not be ruled by our desires. The Holy Spirit empowers us to say no to harmful desires and yes to God's way of life. This leads to a life of freedom, love, and joy, which is what God intended for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit: Our sinful nature is in constant conflict with the Holy Spirit. When we let the Spirit guide us, we can resist the sinful desires that lead us astray. This internal battle is something everyone faces, but the Holy Spirit provides the strength to overcome. [01:23]
2. Deceptive Desires: Our desires can be misleading and don't always tell the truth. They can lure us into traps and lead us away from God's path. It's crucial to align our desires with God's will to avoid the pitfalls that come with following our natural inclinations. [10:37]
3. The Power of the Spirit: Living according to the Spirit means setting our minds on what the Spirit desires. This helps us resist the animalistic appetites that can dominate our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects God's intentions for us. [14:01]
4. Jesus' Example in the Wilderness: Jesus' temptation in the wilderness teaches us the importance of prioritizing God's word over our natural desires. Even good desires can become wrong if they take precedence over our relationship with God. This example shows us how to resist disordered desires. [15:56]
5. The Kingdom of God: The kingdom of God is not just a future experience but something we can experience here and now. When we let our sinful desires rule us, we forfeit the love, joy, and peace that come from living in God's kingdom. By letting God rule our lives, we experience true freedom and life. [19:14]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:23] - The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
[10:37] - Deceptive Desires
[14:01] - The Power of the Spirit
[15:56] - Jesus' Example in the Wilderness
[19:14] - The Kingdom of God
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:16-25
- James 1:14
- Romans 8:5
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the contrasting outcomes of living according to the flesh versus living according to the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:16-25?
2. According to James 1:14, what is the source of our temptations, and how do they affect us? [11:13]
3. In Romans 8:5, what are the two different mindsets Paul describes, and what do they focus on?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul describe the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-25? What does this conflict look like in everyday life?
2. Why does James warn us about being lured and trapped by our own desires? How can this understanding help us in our spiritual walk? [11:13]
3. What does it mean to have our minds set on what the Spirit desires, according to Romans 8:5? How does this mindset influence our actions and decisions?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the conflict between your sinful nature and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [01:23]
2. Identify a desire in your life that might be misleading you. How can you align this desire with God's will to avoid potential pitfalls? [10:37]
3. Jesus resisted the temptation to turn stones into bread by prioritizing God's word over His natural desires. What practical steps can you take to prioritize God's word in your daily life? [15:56]
4. The sermon mentioned that our desires can sometimes make us less than what God intended us to be. Can you think of a specific desire that has had this effect on you? How can you overcome it with the help of the Holy Spirit? [15:00]
5. The kingdom of God is something we can experience here and now. What are some ways you can let God rule your life more fully to experience His love, joy, and peace? [19:14]
6. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [03:00]
7. Reflect on the story of Adam and Eve and how their disordered desire led them away from God's plan. How can you ensure that your desires are in line with God's will, especially when faced with temptation? [12:19]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Battle Within
Our sinful nature is in constant conflict with the Holy Spirit. When we let the Spirit guide us, we can resist the sinful desires that lead us astray. This internal battle is something everyone faces, but the Holy Spirit provides the strength to overcome. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:16-17, emphasizes the importance of walking by the Spirit to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh. These desires are in opposition to the Spirit, creating a conflict within us. However, by yielding to the Spirit, we can overcome these sinful inclinations and live a life that pleases God. [01:23]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think about a recent situation where you felt an internal struggle between doing what you knew was right and what you desired. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in similar situations in the future?
### Day 2: The Deception of Desires
Our desires can be misleading and don't always tell the truth. They can lure us into traps and lead us away from God's path. It's crucial to align our desires with God's will to avoid the pitfalls that come with following our natural inclinations. James 1:14 warns us that we are tempted by our own desires, which can lure us away and trap us. Proverbs 14:12 also reminds us that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. This is why it's crucial to align our desires with God's will. [10:37]
James 1:14-15 (ESV): "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
Reflection: Identify a desire in your life that you suspect might be leading you away from God's path. How can you realign this desire with God's will today?
### Day 3: Empowered by the Spirit
Living according to the Spirit means setting our minds on what the Spirit desires. This helps us resist the animalistic appetites that can dominate our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects God's intentions for us. Romans 8:5 contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit. The former have their minds set on fleshly desires, while the latter focus on what the Spirit desires. This shift in focus is essential for living a life that honors God. [14:01]
Romans 8:5-6 (ESV): "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can set your mind on the things of the Spirit today? How can you make this a daily habit?
### Day 4: Jesus' Example in the Wilderness
Jesus' temptation in the wilderness teaches us the importance of prioritizing God's word over our natural desires. Even good desires can become wrong if they take precedence over our relationship with God. Despite being hungry after fasting for 40 days, Jesus refused to turn stones into bread, showing that our true sustenance comes from God's word. This teaches us that even good desires can become wrong if they take precedence over our relationship with God. [15:56]
Matthew 4:3-4 (ESV): "And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'"
Reflection: Reflect on a good desire in your life that might be taking precedence over your relationship with God. How can you re-prioritize to ensure God remains first?
### Day 5: Experiencing the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is not just a future experience but something we can experience here and now. When we let our sinful desires rule us, we forfeit the love, joy, and peace that come from living in God's kingdom. By letting God rule our lives, we experience true freedom and life. A kingdom is a group of people ruled by a king, and when we let God rule our lives, we experience true freedom and life. [19:14]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you not experiencing the love, joy, and peace of God's kingdom? How can you invite God to rule in these areas today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Life is short and this is all that matters. So run after your desires as hard as you can. Life is short after. I mean, you don't know if you're going to get another day or another 10 years. Life is short. Well, I want to suggest that the picture that scripture paints is that life is eternal and that we have a God who made us and is for us and has designed us to thrive and we're never thriving when we're allowing our desires to sit in the seat of ruling our lives as king of our lives." [10:37]
2. "A good thing can be a wrong thing if we start to make it a God thing. Come on, true life can flow from the living God. I think we all want some true life this morning. And the deepest longings of the human heart are only satisfied ultimately in Him." [05:58]
3. "We become like enslaved animals when our inward desires are given free reign to rule our lives. Some of us this morning, we feel like we're in a bit of a mess, a bit of a hang-up in life. I want to encourage you. It doesn't have to be that way. God has a better plan for your life." [17:43]
4. "The kingdom of God actually all throughout the New Testament especially actually is not talking about a future experience. It's talking about what we get to experience right here and right now. That's why Jesus said your kingdom come here will be done here on earth as it is in heaven." [17:43]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our desires don't always tell the truth. Can anyone relate? You thought you were supposed to do X, but you found out, oh man, I thought wrong. I felt like I should have done this, but I felt wrong and our desires don't always tell the truth." [10:37]
2. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires. But those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. That word flesh is this Greek word sarks. And interestingly enough, that word means an animalistic appetite or an animalistic desire." [14:01]
3. "Jesus responds and he says, it is written, man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth. See, there's nothing wrong with bread, but it would have been a disordered desire if he had listened to the desire in that moment to his need for bread instead of his desire to follow the Lord." [15:56]
4. "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives. So who does the producing? The Holy Spirit. Guess what the Spirit produces? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And I'm almost done. There's no law against these." [02:55]
5. "The Holy Spirit empowers us to rule over our sinful desires. I'm going to come back and check on you and see if you figured it out. He says, I'm going to help you. I'm going to empower you. Romans chapter eight. I love this passage. It says on the screen, ruled by your desires, but by God's spirit who lives in you." [19:14]
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