Tuesday, July 15th
Read: Galatians 5:25-26
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Spend a few minutes discussing questions you have about the passage. Here are a few to get you started:
Do you find yourself being envious of other people?
Are you prideful or conceited?
How can we keep in step with the Spirit?
Near the end of his letter to the Galatians, Paul discusses what it means to walk in the Spirit. Included in this, is our recent discussion on the fruits of the Spirit. Can you remember what they are? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just after noting these nine fruits of the Spirit, Paul writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” So, because the Galatian believers had been made alive by the Holy Spirit (living in the Spirit), Paul admonishes them to also walk in the Spirit, which would include demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit in their lives. Walking in the Spirit would also mean crucifying ‘the flesh with its passions and desires’ (Gal. 5:24). So, not only does walking in the Spirit mean exhibiting positive attitudes like love and patience, but it also includes not exhibiting negative attitudes or practicing sinful behavior. As the Spirit leads, they must follow. In other words, Paul is saying that walking by the Spirit means obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit in how we live.
This in fact is what true repentance is all about. First, we admit that we have been our own God’s preferring destructive behaviors which comes down to rebelling against God. After recognizing this, we confess and ask forgiveness, not only for these behaviors but the idea that we’ve ruled our own lives, leaving out the room for God to fill us with His Holy Spirit. Finally, we want to get on with this new life on the right foot so we ask for God to fill us with His Spirit, that once we are rooted in Him, digging deep into His loving direction, we will produce lives with the fruit listed. Hallelujah!
Immediately following his admonition to walk by the Spirit, Paul writes, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” It is hard to tell whether this verse belongs with the preceding section on the fruits of the spirit and walking by the Spirit, or whether it belongs with the section that follows on bearing and sharing one another’s burdens. It is, however, the first of a number of verses that discuss specific actions that should characterize those who are being led by the Spirit. It makes sense that it would be included in a discussion on how to walk in the Spirit. So, just as those who walk in the Spirit should demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, they should also not be conceited, or provoke or envy one another. It is also possible, however, that Paul could have written this verse as a return to the theme found in verse fifteen, and therefore this would be a summation of his discourse on living in the Spirit. Regardless of what the precise meaning of this verse is and what section it belongs with, it is safe to conclude from these verses that a believer following the Spirit’s lead will not become conceited, and will not provoke nor envy others. Walking by the Spirit is the ultimate solution to evils such as these.
Process:
– What are the fruits of the Spirit? Have you repented and been filled with The Holy Spirit? What might be a passion, or desire of the flesh, that should be ‘crucified’? What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?