But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Gal 5:16

A reflective Christian life might seem like a foreign idea to many Christians today, but it is just what the doctor ordered in Galatians 5. Really the entire New Testament. It seems inevitable that from time to time we imagine our thoughts and feelings are the basis for truth or reality. Everyone likely slides into this assumption at some point. Without a care we may skip through our days and years without a thought to the One for Whom we exist.

But God has expectations! He has a plan, and He wants the very best and highest for you. You personally. We know this because of John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, just to name two passages. If you have put your personal faith in Jesus Christ as your savior, then you are part of very highly privileged subset of the human race who are regenerate. You have been born-again to new life, if you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

This salvation you have received includes the invitation–God’s constant call–to walk by the Spirit. That means to be pleasing to God through conforming to His Word, which was inspired and is empowered by God the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-25 reads us into the context of this great command by showing us that at any given moment of our lives we have two options: The power of the flesh or of the Holy Spirit.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Next time we’ll unpack what it means to “walk by the Spirit.”