LET US WALK THE WALK

PROCLAMATION

“This I say then, walk in The Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against The Spirit, and The Spirit against the flesh;  These are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  But if ye be led of The Spirit, ye are not under the law.”  Galatians 5:16-18 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Galatia.  In this chapter, Paul begins by stating that Christ has set them free from the law. (Galatians 5:1)  Then he tells them that circumcision is required under the law.  Men who let themselves be circumcised are trying to be justified by the law.  All they really have done is to alienate themselves from Christ and have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:2-7)  The Paul asked them, who persuaded them to change, and said that whoever confused them would pay the penalty. (Galatians 5:7-12)  Then he told them that they had been set free, but they should not use their freedom to indulge in the desires of the flesh or to devour one another. (Galatians 5:13-15)  He encouraged them to walk in The Spirit.  He told them The Spirit desires that which is contrary to the desires of the flesh.  Then he goes on to list some of the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) which he follows by listing the fruit of The Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  He ends by saying: “If we live in The Spirit, let us walk in The Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

 

APPLICATION

Believers should walk the walk of The Holy Spirit.  If we stay in The Spirit, then we will not give in to the desires of the flesh.  For that which the flesh desires is contrary to the way of The Holy Spirit.  Paul provided a list of the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) and then contrasted them to the fruit of The Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)  None of the sinful desires of the flesh should surprise us, in fact, we are probably all too familiar with them.  So, since The Holy Spirit of God lives within us, and as believers we should live by The Spirit, let us try to keep in step with and walk in The Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)  That is the only way that we can produce the fruit of The Spirit.  The manifestation of the fruit of The Holy Spirit is always for the benefit of others, whereas the desires of the flesh are always selfish.  Let us walk in The Spirit and walk the walk, and not just talk the talk.