“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). To live in the Spirit is to be controlled by the love of God. When the New Testament speaks to the new life we have been raised to walk in, faith in Jesus expressed in love to others is it. Through His Spirit, God has poured His love into our hearts and has given us the desire to walk by faith in Jesus. As we do, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Learning to say “no” is the by-product of saying “yes” to the Spirit.
It is important to understand this distinction. So many well-intentioned believers spend a life time trying to overcome sin in their lives. They wake up each morning with this prayer on their lips: “Lord, please help me to not sin today.” At the end of the day, they look back only to see their prayer went unanswered.
A better prayer is this: “Lord, teach me to abide in you and to follow the leading of God’s Spirit in my life.” God’s Spirit is never going to lead us into sin. He leads us to trust in the Lord, to live righteous and upright lives. He leads us to love and serve others. If living out the Spirit’s work in our lives, we will automatically be saying “no” to sin. Peter put it this way:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
Walking in the Spirit is trusting God to complete the work He began in us. We can count on Him to complete this task, even when we do not fully cooperate. This is His promise to us: “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…”
When we do get off course, and we will, the Holy Spirit merely recalculates our journey and continues His work in conforming us to the image of His Son. He does so without condemnation. Nor does He manipulate us with fear and guilt to get us back on track. He uses our mistakes, reminding us of the forgiveness we have in Christ, and works them together for our good. He comforts our hearts with this amazing promise: “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
You are not alone on your journey. Jesus is there with you every step of the way. Trust Him, rely upon Him, and live out what He is working in your life. When you do you will be saying “no” to sin and “yes’ to the will of God.
The center of God’s will, that’s the place where believers are to live their lives. Temptation may look exciting; the world makes sure of that. But it has nothing on its menu that can satisfy the soul and bring contentment to the heart.
The world promises happiness, but delivers pain, sorrow and misery. There is only one person who does deliver on his promises, Jesus. And He gives so much more than mere happiness. Peace, contentment, a life of godliness and love: these are His gifts of grace to us.
And there is nothing more rewarding than experiencing Jesus living His life through you.
It is time for us abandon ourselves to Jesus, to put all that we are in His hands. It is time for us to live out Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Let’s walk by the Spirit and discover that His will is good, pleasing and perfect for us.
All i can say is that its a PRIVILEDGE to fellowship with you guys, and i thank you for sharing the truth, im gonna read this over and over…..THANKY YOU BOB
Thanks Jahlyn. God’s Spirit living in us and doing His work in us is a powerful reality. BC
What is the “pattern of this world”? God made us in such a way that we experience emotions that reflect our thoughts. Since actions follow attitudes, we tend to behave in whatever way we “feel”: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. That is the pattern of this world, to respond to our physical senses which in turn produce thoughts that bring about feelings that result in our actions.
On the contrary, we renew our our minds with the truth of the Word of God, walking in faith rather than by sight. God’s truth goes straight to our minds, bypassing our senses, we act on that truth, in faith, and as a result, we bear the fruit of the spirit. Thus we are transformed.
Well said William.
I’m looking forward to the Indy radio rally next Saturday.Experiencing the life of Christ flowing through me gives me a peace that truly surpasses understanding. Thanks for your ministry bob
Hey Jack, we are very excited about this weekend. Look forward to seeing you there. Bring some friends.
This was one of the most freeing “aha’ moments, when I heard the phrase, “The goal of the Christian life isn’t to ‘stop sinning’, but rather, it’s to ‘start trusting'” God is faithful, even when we’re not.
Oh yeah. Good news indeed! Thanks for the reminder, BC!
Throughout the day I am constantly looking for God’s directions and as he leads me I find my life is so much easier. I don’t have to fight any battles, I don’t have to do anything but keep my eyes on Him. Oh how I Love him. He is my EVERYTHING. I am most grateful for having my Father’s spirit. That I am that Sheep looking towards the Shephard for guidance. What an awesome place to live.
Hey Edwina, I love your line “What an awesome place to live.” Certainly, being led by the Spirit is the best way to live. Thanks for sharing.
“So many well-intentioned believers spend a life time trying to overcome sin in their lives.”
If you attend a church where this is the topic of their sermons every week and listen to others who do not under the efficacy of our Lord’s atoning work at Calvary, you can expect to live under this cloud. It is time to walk awy and learn how to walk in God’s Sonshine.
Hey Sherwood, We do not have the internal fortitude to overcome sin. We are too weak. That’s why the Spirit led life is such good news, and should be front and center in Christian teaching. Good insights Sherwood. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you brother, you truly have a wonderful gift and what another beautiful Post.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
And,we know, the truth will set you free!
Excellent write up Bob…to ” walk” in the New Covenant is the most refreshing walk to take, as we gaze upon ALL He has done and Will Do
” take up your cross…die to self sufficiency ….and Follow me…Romans 12 yield to the Life of Christ within….allowing Him to be the very heart beat of our lives…
the privilege to yield to ” the GreatestLove of All” is a once in a life time experience…
Peace
Well said Tom.
Excellent! Like a breath of fresh Godly breeze!
Hey James, excellent description of the Spirit led life — a fresh Godly breeze.
Hi Bob – I’m just now getting around to reading this post. How true and how simple could it be to understand. But HOW IMPORTANT that we constantly renew our minds to the incredible truth you have shared in this post. If my GPS in my car could reach out and grab the steering wheel – she (we named her Lola) probably would because so many times I will say, “Should I really turn there – that does NOT sound right?” Then my wife, Debbie will always say — “do you trust her or not?” Haha!! I hate to admit it but I respond to the Holy Spirit the same way sometimes and what it all boils down to is this: do I trust the Spirit or not? THANKS FOR THE REMINDER! I’ll tell Lola you said hello!
If I am weak…I say the same as apostole Paul: What a wretched man I am; thanks be to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you Bob for all this work you brothers do at People to People; me and family are so blessed to have Metro Bible every sunday to fellowship, and learn truth about Jesus our savior. After moving to Jesus, I think moving from Los Angeles, California to Dallas is the best move I’ve ever made.
Hi Bob, Thank you so much for you brothers’ teaching. I have been listening to your teaching on the radio for about a year now and I am looking forward to it every day. I thank God for the truth you are teaching. I live in Canada and am looking forward to an opportunity to attend your seminar some day.
I personally experienced that when I submit my life totally to Jesus Christ, I realised my life was backed up by all the spiritual claims and promises. God’s desire us to be the victor and we will not be at the losing side. Praise the name of Jesus, and the power of His resurrection!