Feel lost or in conflict? Live by the Spirit to get closer to God
Do you feel like something is missing in your life? Or feel in conflict with yourself?
As Christians, we will face many different teachings and beliefs. The enemy of your soul will try to trip you up spiritually. We are no longer to live according to the sinful nature; we are to live by the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit should be seen in every area of your life. It is a lifestyle of faith and placing God and others before self through submission, service, and surrender.
Are you living and walking in the spirit? Making the choice each day to grow in faith and be conformed into the image of Christ is how you can get closer to God.
Choose to Live in the Spirit Each Day to Get Closer to God
If we are not careful, we could think of ourselves as better than we are. We might think: “I’m not a bad person. I’m doing pretty good. I went to church this week. I gave in the offering. I’m a good person.”
That kind of thinking will get a person into all kinds of trouble, spiritually.
Salvation is not based on works or what you do. Salvation is not based on following the 10 commandments. Salvation is believing and having faith in Christ. It is living dead to sin and alive unto Christ daily. When we judge ourselves to be good by what others do or don’t do, we are treading on slippery ground. Paul is writing to the believers in Galatia and warns them to remain faithful and not follow false teachings.
Paul reminds the Galatians that God doesn’t judge by external appearances. We are not justified by observing the law; but by faith in Jesus Christ. We are to live by the Spirit and not according to the flesh.
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galations 5:16-26, NIV).
Paul heard that some Jewish leaders were attempting to influence the new believers. And some were beginning to follow their teaching. Confusion was occurring because other “so called” teachers were teaching that a combination of obedience to the law and circumcision were needed to be saved, leading people astray.
Paul confronts the false teaching head on saying that if anyone teaches a different gospel, let them be accursed. The believers were to hold fast to the faith that they were first taught and believed.
As Christians, we will face many different teachings and beliefs.
Paul is reminding the Galatian believers to stand firm in faith, to live by the Spirit and to not follow the ways of the world.
The enemy of your soul will try to trip you up spiritually. The world will want you to believe any false message. Satan will bombard you with lies and false teachings, with hopes to keep you from believing the truth. BUT, Satan is a liar and the father of liars; the truth is not in him. He was defeated at the cross.
The enemy of your soul is at odds with God. If you know Jesus as your savior, Satan will:
Do what he can to cause you to believe a lie and deny Christ as savior.
Try to make you doubt your salvation.
Try to get you to live according to your sinful nature.
There is a spiritual battle going on all around you. A battle for your soul. The sinful nature is fighting against the Spirit of God in you.
The fruit of the Spirit should be seen in every area of your life.
We are no longer to live according to the sinful nature. Instead we live crucified regarding the sinful nature with its passions and desires and we are to live by the Spirit: displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The difference between the two natures is like night and day: The sinful nature feeds on others. It attempts to satisfy sinful, evil worldly desires in your heart and is at odds with God Almighty; while the fruit of the Spirit displays a love that mirrors the heart of God and a lifestyle of submission and humility to God. This lifestyle of faith and placing God and others before self should be seen in every area of your life.
It is a way of life that is Christ-focused:
A life of submission to the things of God.
A life of service and obedience to God.
A life of surrender to the Spirit of God in you.
No one is perfect, however the fruits of the Spirit should be the dominant aspect in your life. Growing in faith and being conformed into the image of Christ is how we are to live, and we can only live this way when we walk and live by the Spirit.
Are you living and walking in the spirit?
Maybe you’re having a hard time feeling connected to the Spirit:
Do you feel like something is missing in your life?
Do you want more of God in your life?
Do you feel like the sinful nature and the Spirit of God in you are in conflict with each other?
Do you do things at times that you do not want to do, and the things you want to do you don’t do?
Have you prayed and asked God to help you time and again but nothing seems to have changed?
Consider this: The work is done. God sent his son, Jesus who lived a sinless life, was crucified, and died and rose on the third day. He sent the Holy Spirit to be your comforter; but also, the Holy Spirit lives within you.
The Holy Spirit will not make you stop sinning; rather he will convict you in your heart.
You must choose to listen to the Holy Spirit. You must choose to live according to the Spirit and turn away from the sinful desires:
He will never make you live according to the Spirit.
He will never make you do something you do not want to do.
However, God does love you and He is waiting for you to choose to turn away from sin and walk in the Spirit. This will only happen as you:
Focus on Jesus.
Study the scriptures.
Pray and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Pray for the wisdom of God.
Choose to walk in the ways of the Lord moment by moment.
Choose today to turn from sin and sinful desires; and live a Spirit-filled life.
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