Walking by the Spirit: Embracing True Freedom in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good evening, family. Today, we continued our study of the book of Galatians, focusing on chapter 5, verses 13-26. The central theme is "Walking by the Spirit." Paul emphasizes that we are called to be free, but this freedom should not be used to indulge the flesh. Instead, we should serve one another humbly in love. The grace of God is not a license for chaos or lawlessness; it requires more responsibility and leads us to live according to God's will.
Paul warns the Galatians against falling back into bondage by following zealous but misguided individuals. He stresses that living by the Spirit is the key to not gratifying the desires of the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict, and it's easy to blame external forces like demons for our shortcomings. However, the real struggle is internal—our fleshly desires versus the Spirit's guidance.
Paul lists the acts of the flesh, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, and jealousy, and contrasts them with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are not laws to be followed but natural outcomes of living by the Spirit. The Spirit transforms our desires, leading us to live in a way that pleases God.
Walking by the Spirit means yielding to the Spirit's guidance, which leads us to love and serve others. It is not about performing miracles or speaking in tongues but about reflecting Christ's character. The ultimate goal is to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, allowing the Spirit to shape us into the people God wants us to be.
### Key Takeaways
1. Freedom in Christ: We are called to be free, but this freedom should not be used to indulge the flesh. Instead, it should lead us to serve one another humbly in love. True freedom in Christ comes with responsibility and a call to live according to God's will, not our own desires. [06:47]
2. Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit: The flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict. While it's easy to blame external forces like demons for our shortcomings, the real struggle is internal. We must take responsibility for our actions and yield to the Spirit's guidance to overcome fleshly desires. [14:16]
3. Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not laws to be followed but natural outcomes of living by the Spirit. These fruits reflect our true identity in Christ and are essential for a fulfilling Christian life. [35:19]
4. Crucifying the Flesh: To walk by the Spirit, we must crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. This means submitting to the Spirit's leading and allowing it to transform our hearts and desires. The flesh cannot be cast out; it must be crucified through a life led by the Spirit. [43:28]
5. True Spirituality: True spirituality is not about performing miracles or speaking in tongues but about reflecting Christ's character. A spiritual person is someone whose life is led by the Spirit, resulting in a character that mirrors Christ. This is the essence of being a true follower of Jesus. [24:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:51] - Introduction to Galatians Chapter 5
[06:47] - Freedom in Christ
[08:46] - Misuse of Grace
[10:48] - Walking in Love
[13:39] - Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
[14:16] - Responsibility and Blame
[17:11] - Demons and Fleshly Desires
[20:28] - Personal Testimony
[24:01] - Yielding to the Spirit
[25:20] - Led by the Spirit
[26:55] - Acts of the Flesh
[32:23] - Consequences of Fleshly Desires
[35:19] - Fruit of the Spirit
[38:20] - Seed of the Spirit
[39:37] - Character Over Gifts
[40:59] - Jesus as Our Model
[43:28] - Crucifying the Flesh
[44:48] - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:13-26 (NIV)
> "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul say about the purpose of our freedom in Christ? ([06:47])
2. According to Paul, what are the acts of the flesh, and how do they contrast with the fruit of the Spirit? ([17:58])
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between the flesh and the Spirit? ([14:16])
4. What does Paul mean by "crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires"? ([43:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that freedom in Christ should not be used to indulge the flesh? How does this relate to our responsibility as Christians? ([08:46])
2. How can the internal conflict between the flesh and the Spirit affect a believer's daily life and decisions? ([14:16])
3. What does it mean to "walk by the Spirit," and how does this lead to the natural production of the fruit of the Spirit? ([24:01])
4. How does the concept of crucifying the flesh apply to modern-day believers? What practical steps can be taken to achieve this? ([43:28])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you might be using your freedom in Christ to indulge the flesh? How can you change this? ([08:46])
2. Think about a recent situation where you experienced the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time? ([14:16])
3. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with your family or community? ([35:19])
4. Identify a fleshly desire that you struggle with. What steps can you take to crucify this desire and yield to the Spirit's guidance? ([43:28])
5. How can you serve others humbly in love within your church or community? Share a specific example of how you plan to do this in the coming week. ([11:21])
6. Reflect on a time when you blamed external forces for your shortcomings. How can you take more responsibility for your actions and yield to the Spirit's guidance? ([14:16])
7. How can you ensure that your spirituality is focused on reflecting Christ's character rather than just performing religious acts? ([24:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Freedom in Christ
We are called to be free, but this freedom should not be used to indulge the flesh. Instead, it should lead us to serve one another humbly in love. True freedom in Christ comes with responsibility and a call to live according to God's will, not our own desires. [06:47]
Paul's message to the Galatians emphasizes that the freedom we have in Christ is not a license to do whatever we want. Instead, it is a call to live a life of love and service to others. This freedom is a gift from God, and with it comes the responsibility to live in a way that honors Him. When we use our freedom to serve others, we reflect the love of Christ and fulfill the law of love.
This freedom also means that we are no longer bound by the law or by our sinful nature. We are free to live according to the Spirit, which leads us to a life of righteousness and peace. However, this requires us to be intentional about our choices and to seek God's guidance in all that we do. By doing so, we can experience the true freedom that comes from living in Christ.
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve someone in your life today? What specific action can you take to show love and humility to that person?
Day 2: Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
The flesh and the Spirit are in constant conflict. While it's easy to blame external forces like demons for our shortcomings, the real struggle is internal. We must take responsibility for our actions and yield to the Spirit's guidance to overcome fleshly desires. [14:16]
The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is a daily reality for every believer. Our fleshly desires often pull us away from God's will, leading us to make choices that are contrary to His Word. It's easy to blame external factors for our failures, but the truth is that the real struggle is within us. We must recognize this internal conflict and take responsibility for our actions.
Yielding to the Spirit's guidance is the key to overcoming the desires of the flesh. This means being intentional about seeking God's will and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in our decisions. It requires humility and a willingness to submit to God's authority in our lives. By doing so, we can experience victory over our fleshly desires and live a life that is pleasing to God.
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: What is one area of your life where you struggle with fleshly desires? How can you intentionally seek the Spirit's guidance in that area today?
Day 3: Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not laws to be followed but natural outcomes of living by the Spirit. These fruits reflect our true identity in Christ and are essential for a fulfilling Christian life. [35:19]
The fruit of the Spirit is a beautiful representation of what it means to live a life led by the Holy Spirit. These qualities are not something we can achieve through our own efforts; they are the natural result of allowing the Spirit to work in us. When we live by the Spirit, our lives will naturally produce love, joy, peace, and the other fruits listed by Paul.
These fruits are a reflection of our true identity in Christ. They show the world that we belong to Him and that His Spirit is at work in us. As we grow in our relationship with God, these qualities will become more evident in our lives. They are essential for a fulfilling Christian life and for our witness to others.
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit in you today?
Day 4: Crucifying the Flesh
To walk by the Spirit, we must crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. This means submitting to the Spirit's leading and allowing it to transform our hearts and desires. The flesh cannot be cast out; it must be crucified through a life led by the Spirit. [43:28]
Crucifying the flesh is a powerful metaphor that Paul uses to describe the process of overcoming our sinful nature. It means putting to death our old ways of thinking and acting, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. This is not a one-time event, but a daily decision to submit to God's will and to reject the desires of the flesh.
The flesh cannot be cast out or ignored; it must be actively crucified. This requires a conscious effort to align our thoughts and actions with God's Word and to seek His guidance in all that we do. By doing so, we allow the Spirit to shape our hearts and desires, leading us to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Galatians 5:24-25 (ESV): "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
Reflection: What is one passion or desire of the flesh that you need to crucify today? How can you take a practical step to submit this area of your life to the Spirit's leading?
Day 5: True Spirituality
True spirituality is not about performing miracles or speaking in tongues but about reflecting Christ's character. A spiritual person is someone whose life is led by the Spirit, resulting in a character that mirrors Christ. This is the essence of being a true follower of Jesus. [24:40]
True spirituality is often misunderstood as being about outward displays of power or supernatural gifts. However, Paul teaches that the essence of true spirituality is found in reflecting the character of Christ. This means living a life that is led by the Spirit and that demonstrates qualities such as love, humility, and self-control.
A spiritual person is not someone who seeks to impress others with their abilities, but someone who seeks to honor God with their character. This requires a deep and ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and shape every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we become true followers of Jesus, reflecting His love and grace to the world around us.
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: In what ways can you reflect Christ's character in your daily interactions with others? How can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in becoming more like Jesus today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "God wants you and I to be free. God wants you and I to walk in freedom. Amen. So my prayer is that we will not go back into bondage. We will not allow the flesh to get hold of us. We will not allow the ways that have been obsolete, those ways that don't lead us to God anymore, to have control over us, because that's what the enemy wants by raising some people, zealous people that have no understanding of scripture, but use that to enslave us again." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. And that's very, very important because sometimes we kind of abuse the grace of God. We abuse the freedom that has been given to us. And as much as we are free, as much as Christ has set us free from the bondage of the law, as much as Christ has set us free from the leading of the law, and now that we are enjoying grace, it happens sometimes that brothers and sisters abuse this grace in the sense when they think there's no boundaries anymore. They can live as they want. They can live as they want. And that's not biblical." (40 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Love your neighbor as yourself. Love the person next to you. Love the people around you as yourself. And when you love people as yourself, you'll never violate the law. You can never hurt someone when you know you have to love them like yourself because you don't hurt yourself. You don't hate yourself. You don't betray yourself. And so many things we don't do to ourselves. So the same way, the same things we do to ourselves, the Lord wants us to do to others." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desire of the flesh. So we see here, there's an opposition between the flesh and the Spirit. He said, for the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit, what is contrary to the flesh." (19 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The primary goal of the Holy Spirit is to allow you to walk according to the will of God. Is to allow you to obey the ways of God. Is to be the person God called you to be. Is to shape Christ out of you. To bring Christ out of you." (16 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Living in grace actually requires more. It's more responsibility. Because the work, what grace is doing, grace is just doing what the law failed to do, which is to justify us, which is to allow us to walk and journey as God wants us to walk, which is allow us to live the way God wants us to live. So we must never use the subject of grace. And many people have done that. They use the subject of grace to abuse the love of God, abuse the grace of God, abuse salvation, abuse their freedom." (35 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "No demon will use you if you don't give him permission. No demon will use your body. That's why you never see God, God, how can I put it? God kind of just forgive someone or let go of some actions because there's a spirit that uses the person. Just demonic activity don't explain away our sinful nature. Demonic activity, don't take the responsibility of our actions away." (31 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The flesh always want to work independently. From God. We always have this tendency of going against the way of God. And that's how sometimes the flesh struggle with the spirit. Paul is not saying here the way of the demons and the way of the spirit. He said the flesh and the spirit. The flesh and the spirit. And I believe the flesh is our biggest enemy. Not the demons. Not the demons. If you understand this principle, you'll kick out demons like crazy. You'll kick them out. They won't even. They won't waste a second. They'll run away." (33 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The fruit of the spirit are not laws like the laws say you must be, you know, you must, you must, how can I put it, you must have joy, you must have love, you must have peace. No, it's not a set of characters that you have to, you know, you have to follow as a law, you have to display as a law. No. What it is, is this. Paul called them the fruit of the spirit. The fruit of the spirit. If you are a spiritual man, if you walk in the spirit, if you yield to the spirit of God, if you allow the spirit, if you are led by the spirit, those are the things that will show that you are led by the spirit." (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So my prayer for you is that you'll be led by the spirit. You will walk by the spirit in terms of your character, your nature and who God wants you to be, what you want you to achieve and I believe that's where we're going to find fulfillment. That's where we find true self-fulfillment. That's where we find success and that's where we are effective and that's the place also where we become fruitful. We become fruitful. Amen. We become fruitful." (30 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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