Walking in the Spirit: Fleeing Sin and Embracing Faith
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of fleeing from sin and following the Lord, drawing parallels to Abraham's journey of faith and the nation of Israel's failure to obey God. He categorizes sins into four groups: sensual or sexual sins, spiritual sins, sins related to worship, and sins related to the flesh. The pastor underscores the command to live by the Spirit, assuring the audience that God would not command something they are not capable of doing. He then delves into the concept of spiritual warfare, explaining that being a follower of Christ means engaging in a daily battle against the flesh, the world, and Satan.
The pastor further emphasizes the importance of walking in the spirit to avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh. He acknowledges that understanding how to walk in the spirit has been taught for too long without clear guidance, but emphasizes that it is imperative for born-again believers to follow this command. The pastor assures believers of God's ongoing work in their lives, manifested in the fruits of the Spirit, and urges them to surrender themselves to God.
The pastor then addresses the question of how to walk in the spirit, urging the congregation to yield their bodies as living sacrifices to God and resist the temptations of the flesh. He introduces the topic of the fruits of the Spirit, clarifying that they are signs of maturity and occurrences that arise in the life of a believer. The pastor concludes by addressing the misconception that being spiritual automatically equates to being Christian, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the difference between Christian spirituality and other forms of spirituality.
In the second part of the sermon, the pastor addresses the issue of hate and anger towards others, emphasizing the importance of prayer as a tool for overcoming these negative emotions. He underscores the significance of praying for those we have difficulties with, asserting that it is challenging to harbor hatred for someone we are praying for. The pastor also discusses various sins, such as drunkenness and orgies, that can consume and control our lives, obstructing the production of spiritual fruit and disrupting our fellowship with God.
In the final portion of the sermon, the pastor discusses sins against society or sins against one's fellow man, as well as sins against oneself. He focuses on sensual or sexual sins, defining adultery as any sexual activity that occurs outside of the union of husband and wife. He emphasizes that adultery is always wrong and while divorce may be allowed in certain circumstances, there are no provisions for adultery. Fornication, which includes any sexual activity that occurs outside of the marriage relationship, including premarital sex, is also condemned. The pastor emphasizes that both adultery and fornication are considered the same sin in God's eyes. Other sexual sins mentioned include pornography, uncleanness, and licentiousness, all of which are considered works of the flesh and not of the spirit. The pastor concludes by urging repentance from these sins.
Key Takeaways:
- Fleeing from sin and following the Lord is a crucial aspect of the Christian life. This does not mean pacifism, but rather a Pilgrim's lifestyle, similar to Abraham's journey of faith. It involves a daily battle against the flesh, the world, and Satan. [12:45]
- Living in sin indicates either willful disobedience or a lack of true redemption. If someone is living in sin, it means they are either willfully walking in the flesh and submitting themselves to the bondage of sin, or they have never experienced redemption and true freedom. [22:30]
- Walking in the spirit is not a mere suggestion, but a command for believers. By walking in the spirit, one can avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh. This requires intentional conduct and behavior to express the fruits of the spirit. [34:15]
- The fruits of the Spirit are signs of maturity and occurrences that arise in the life of a believer. They serve as little deposits of eternal glory, allowing believers to enjoy a foretaste of the blessings that await them. [45:50]
- Being spiritual does not necessarily mean being aligned with Christian beliefs. One can be a spiritual person while worshiping demons. It's important to recognize the difference between Christian spirituality and other forms of spirituality. [58:20]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 5:16-26: "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."
2. Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
3. Romans 7:15-20: "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it."
Observation Questions:
1. What are the acts of the flesh as described in Galatians 5:16-26, and how do they contrast with the fruits of the Spirit?
2. In Philippians 1:6, what is the good work that is being carried out in believers?
3. According to Romans 7:15-20, what is the struggle that the writer is experiencing?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Galatians 5:16-26 explain the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit?
2. What does Philippians 1:6 suggest about God's role in the spiritual growth and maturity of a believer?
3. How does Romans 7:15-20 illustrate the struggle between the sinful nature and the desire to do good?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your life. Can you identify any acts of the flesh as described in Galatians 5:16-26 that you struggle with? What steps can you take to overcome these?
2. Considering Philippians 1:6, how can you cooperate with God's ongoing work in your life? Can you identify any specific areas where you need His help to grow?
3. Reflecting on Romans 7:15-20, can you identify any areas in your life where you struggle to do good despite your desire to do so? How can you seek God's help in these areas?
4. What is one way you can demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit in your interactions with others this week?
5. Can you think of a person or situation that tests your self-control? What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you face this challenge?
Devotional
Day 1: The Pilgrim's Lifestyle: A Journey of Faith
The Christian life is not one of pacifism but rather a journey of faith, akin to Abraham's pilgrimage. This journey involves a daily battle against the flesh, the world, and Satan, requiring a steadfast commitment to flee from sin and follow the Lord. [12:45]
Bible Passage: Hebrews 11:8-10 - "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Reflection: How can you emulate Abraham's faith in your daily life? Can you identify one area where you need to trust God more and take a step of faith?
Day 2: The Reality of Living in Sin
Living in sin is a clear indication of either willful disobedience or a lack of true redemption. If one is living in sin, it signifies a conscious choice to walk in the flesh and submit to the bondage of sin, or it reveals a lack of genuine redemption and freedom. [22:30]
Bible Passage: 1 John 3:6-9 - "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous."
Reflection: Reflect on your life. Are there areas where you are willfully disobeying God? What steps can you take today to break free from these chains of sin?
Day 3: The Command to Walk in the Spirit
Walking in the spirit is not a mere suggestion, but a command for believers. By walking in the spirit, one can avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh. This requires intentional conduct and behavior to express the fruits of the spirit. [34:15]
Bible Passage: Galatians 5:16-18 - "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."
Reflection: What does walking in the Spirit look like in your daily life? Can you identify one specific action you can take today to walk more in the Spirit?
Day 4: The Fruits of the Spirit: Signs of Maturity
The fruits of the Spirit are signs of maturity and occurrences that arise in the life of a believer. They serve as little deposits of eternal glory, allowing believers to enjoy a foretaste of the blessings that await them. [45:50]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:8-10 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
Reflection: Reflect on the fruits of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit do you see most clearly? Which fruit do you need to cultivate more intentionally?
Day 5: Christian Spirituality vs Other Forms of Spirituality
Being spiritual does not necessarily mean being aligned with Christian beliefs. One can be a spiritual person while worshiping demons. It's important to recognize the difference between Christian spirituality and other forms of spirituality. [58:20]
Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 4:1 - "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons."
Reflection: How can you discern between Christian spirituality and other forms of spirituality in your life? Are there any spiritual practices you need to evaluate in light of God's Word?
Quotes
"On the one hand, I'm telling you to flee, run for your life, get away from sin, flee the very appearance of it, and on the other hand, I'm saying make sure you follow the Lord. It's all contrast and antithesis, but that's what we're charged to do. It's not pacifism." [01:13:51]
"We are compared to Abraham, of whom it was said he was a Sojourner. He left the place he was in, not knowing where he was going, but by faith he did that, looking for a city whose Builder and maker was God. Do you know that we are compared over and over again to that Sojourner, that Pilgrim, that traveler?" [01:14:35]
"You can be a demon worshiper and be a spiritual guy. It's the wrong spirit." [01:22:49]
"It's intentional. You want to express the fruits of the spirit in your life, it's an intentional expression. You want to experience the fruits of the spirit in your life, it is an intentional experience. You're either pursuing it or you're not going to get it, it's a war you got to fight, it's a battle you've got to be engaged, it is a will that you want to model." [01:30:33]
"The longer you walk, the closer to the image of Christ you should become. That is the process of sanctification, and the more of that that occurs in your life, the more of the fruits of the spirit that are going to be apparent in your life. It is a maturation process, it is becoming mature, perfect, grown." (#01:03:10)
"Adultery is any sex that occurs outside of the Union of husband and wife. It's wrong every single time. Your marriage being in whatever shape it is does not give you a clear title to go out and find your comfort somewhere else." [01:16:42]
"Fornication is defined as any form of sexual activity that occurs outside of the marriage relationship. That guy who sleeps with multiple women before marriage is guilty of the same sin as the guy who commits adultery and divorces multiple times. It's the same image in God's eyes." [01:18:09]
"Anything that entices the flesh from a sensual side of things falls under fornication, pornography, uncleanness, and licentiousness. They are all sexual sins, all works of the flesh. The spirit will never motivate you to do one of those things because it would be in direct contradiction with the word of God." [01:18:47]
"Walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." This simple statement from verse 16 reminds us that in order to express the fruits of the spirit, we must intentionally pursue a walk in the spirit. It is a command, not a suggestion, for believers to live in alignment with the spirit rather than giving in to the desires of the flesh. [54:35]
"The command to walk in the Spirit is not a suggestion. It's a command. And God would not command something that you are not capable of doing." [34:15]
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