Walking in the Spirit: Embracing Christ-like Living

 

Summary

As we embark on a new year, it's a time for reflection and setting resolutions. While many of us focus on personal goals, career aspirations, or health improvements, it's crucial to consider our spiritual journey and our desire to be more like Jesus. This year, let's prioritize becoming more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions. The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 5:16-23, challenges us to walk in the Spirit, which is essential for living a life that reflects Jesus.

Walking in the Spirit involves a daily commitment to be filled with the Holy Spirit, submitting to God's will, and relying on His strength. This is not an automatic process but requires intentionality and discipline. Our sin nature constantly pulls us towards sinful living, but by walking in the Spirit, we can counteract this pull and live a life that exemplifies Christlikeness.

To be more like Jesus, we must form habits that help us be Spirit-filled. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading God's Word, and regular church attendance are vital. These practices become ingrained in our lives when they are habitual, allowing us to respond to life's challenges with a Christ-like mindset.

Setting boundaries is another crucial step in avoiding sinful practices. Paul outlines various sins of the flesh, and by establishing guardrails, we can protect ourselves from falling into these traps. Whether it's sexual sins, idolatry, relational sins, or influential sins, boundaries help us maintain a Christ-centered life.

Finally, we must intentionally live out the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are characteristics that should be evident in our lives. These traits are not natural but are developed through the work of the Holy Spirit. By living out these qualities, we reflect Jesus to the world.

Key Takeaways:

- Walking in the Spirit requires daily intentionality and submission to God's will. It's a proactive choice to rely on the Holy Spirit's strength to counteract our sin nature and live a Christ-like life. [02:16]

- Forming habits of spiritual discipline is essential for being Spirit-filled. Regular practices like prayer and Bible reading help us respond to life's challenges with a Christ-like mindset. [07:13]

- Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid sinful practices. By establishing guardrails, we protect ourselves from falling into traps like sexual sins, idolatry, and relational sins. [10:46]

- Intentionally living out the fruit of the Spirit reflects Jesus to the world. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should be evident in our lives. [24:37]

- Self-control and discipline are vital for a Spirit-filled life. By holding ourselves accountable and living intentionally, we can reflect Christ in our actions, speech, and thoughts. [34:21]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - A Humbling Experience
[01:23] - New Year, New Resolutions
[02:16] - Walking in the Spirit
[03:23] - The Battle Within
[04:31] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[05:48] - Spirit-Led Living
[07:13] - Forming Spiritual Habits
[09:45] - Avoiding Sinful Practices
[10:46] - Setting Boundaries
[14:43] - Idolatry and Priorities
[16:04] - Relational Sins
[18:24] - Processing Emotions
[21:28] - Influential Sins
[22:12] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[24:37] - Intentional Living
[30:13] - Faithfulness and Gentleness
[34:21] - Self-Control and Discipline

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:16-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean by "walking in the Spirit," and how does it help us avoid fulfilling the lust of the flesh? [02:16]

2. According to the sermon, what are some of the spiritual disciplines that can help us be Spirit-filled? [07:13]

3. What are the four categories of sins mentioned in the sermon, and how can setting boundaries help avoid them? [10:46]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us live a Christ-like life? [05:48]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of walking in the Spirit challenge the idea of living by a set of rules or laws? [05:48]

2. In what ways do spiritual disciplines contribute to a Spirit-filled life, and why are they essential for Christ-likeness? [07:13]

3. How can setting boundaries be a proactive step in maintaining a Christ-centered life, according to the sermon? [10:46]

4. What does it mean to intentionally live out the fruit of the Spirit, and how does this reflect Jesus to the world? [24:37]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual disciplines. Are there any areas where you need to be more intentional in forming habits that help you be Spirit-filled? [07:13]

2. Identify a specific boundary you can set in your life to avoid a particular sin. How will this boundary help you maintain a Christ-centered life? [10:46]

3. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it as part of your interactions with your family? [24:37]

4. Think of a person who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person? [28:17]

5. Reflect on a recent situation where you struggled to exhibit self-control. What steps can you take to rely more on the Holy Spirit in similar future situations? [34:21]

6. How can you incorporate more intentionality in your daily walk with God to ensure you are living out the fruit of the Spirit? [24:37]

7. Is there a specific distraction in your life preventing you from focusing on Jesus that you want to change? How can you minimize that distraction this week? [26:53]

Devotional

Day 1: Intentionality in Walking with the Spirit
Walking in the Spirit is a daily commitment that requires intentionality and submission to God's will. It is a proactive choice to rely on the Holy Spirit's strength to counteract our sin nature and live a Christ-like life. This journey is not automatic; it demands discipline and a conscious decision each day to align our actions and attitudes with those of Jesus. By choosing to walk in the Spirit, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God, allowing His presence to guide us in every aspect of our lives. [02:16]

Galatians 5:25-26 (ESV): "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to intentionally walk in the Spirit, especially in areas where you feel the pull of your sin nature?


Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual Habits
Forming habits of spiritual discipline is essential for being Spirit-filled. Regular practices like prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance help us respond to life's challenges with a Christ-like mindset. These disciplines are not just activities but are means through which we invite the Holy Spirit to work in us, shaping our thoughts and actions to reflect Jesus. As these practices become ingrained in our daily routine, they equip us to face difficulties with grace and wisdom, rooted in the truth of God's Word. [07:13]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What spiritual habit can you commit to developing this week, and how will you incorporate it into your daily routine?


Day 3: Establishing Boundaries to Avoid Sin
Setting boundaries is crucial to avoid sinful practices. By establishing guardrails, we protect ourselves from falling into traps like sexual sins, idolatry, and relational sins. These boundaries are not meant to restrict us but to safeguard our spiritual well-being and keep us aligned with God's will. By being proactive in setting these limits, we create a safe space where we can grow in our relationship with God and live a life that honors Him. [10:46]

Proverbs 4:23-27 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you need to set a boundary. What practical steps can you take today to establish this boundary?


Day 4: Living Out the Fruit of the Spirit
Intentionally living out the fruit of the Spirit reflects Jesus to the world. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should be evident in our lives. These traits are not natural but are developed through the work of the Holy Spirit. By embodying these qualities, we become a testament to God's transformative power and a beacon of His love to those around us. [24:37]

Ephesians 5:8-10 (ESV): "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate this trait in you today?


Day 5: Embracing Self-Control and Discipline
Self-control and discipline are vital for a Spirit-filled life. By holding ourselves accountable and living intentionally, we can reflect Christ in our actions, speech, and thoughts. This requires a conscious effort to resist temptations and choose what is right, even when it is difficult. Through the Holy Spirit's empowerment, we can develop the self-discipline needed to live a life that honors God and serves as a witness to His grace. [34:21]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to exercise more self-control? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your discipline in this area?

Quotes



"Form habits to help you be Spirit-filled. Since we need to be daily filled with the Spirit to help us to be more Christ-like, then we need to practice the spiritual disciplines like prayer, reading God's Word, coming to church regularly for edification and encouragement, giving, serving, and other spiritual disciplines. These spiritual disciplines are only part of our lives when it is a habit." [00:07:37] (31 seconds)


"Doing something repeatedly makes you more likely to stick with it since habits and behaviors eventually become automatic and effortless. That's why there are many Christians today who can't pray publicly when you ask them. They've been Christians for a long time. It isn't because they don't know how to pray. It's because they don't do it enough that it's become a habit." [00:08:13] (26 seconds)


"Set boundaries to avoid sinful practices. The first category is sexual sins, adultery, fornication, uncleanliness, lewdness. These are sins ranging from illicit sexual relationships and actions to engaging in unclean acts, whether in the mind or in action. In this area of sin, many Christians fall regardless of gender." [00:10:50] (28 seconds)


"Sadly, the proliferation and easy accessibility of pornographic materials and the hyper-sexualized culture in which we live have led not only to a loss of innocence at a very young age, but really at any age. We cannot accept sexual sins as being okay when the Bible identifies them very clearly as wrong." [00:11:13] (25 seconds)


"The ability to love, to love the unlovable, even your enemies, the expression of joy even through times of trials and difficulties, and the peace that passes all understanding while going through challenging and uncertain times. Will you be more loving this year, a love that reflects the love of Christ, demonstrating sacrificial love and loving those who don't deserve your love?" [00:25:12] (30 seconds)


"Will you reflect daily the joy of Jesus? Will you reflect daily the joy of Jesus? Will you reflect daily the joy of Jesus? That counts from knowing that your eternal security is set and that God is with you, journeying with you through everything. As I've said many times, joy should be a characteristic of every Christian." [00:26:03] (16 seconds)


"We are to treat each other with patience, meaning to put up with them because they too are a child of God, to show kindness to all people as hard as it may be because Jesus would do the same, and being good to those who may not deserve it. Doing unto others how you would want to be treated, but also being good to those who may not deserve it for the sake of Christ." [00:27:14] (31 seconds)


"Self-control is getting a hold of your life under the enablement of a Spirit-filled life so that you can live out your life in such a way that it pleases God. Discipline is important. We need to discipline our own lives so that we can be more like Jesus." [00:34:29] (22 seconds)


"As we begin this new year, let's all resolve to be more like Christ. And to do so, we need to form habits to help us be Spirit-filled. We need to set boundaries to avoid sinful practices. And we need to intentionally live out the fruit of the Spirit." [00:34:50] (21 seconds)


"With the Holy Spirit's help, we can be more like Jesus so that the world will say, wow, followers of Jesus are very different." [00:35:11] (10 seconds)


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Transcript
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