St Louis UBF UBF Bible Study : Galatians 5:16-26

Bible Study Materials

Galatians 5:16-26

by Paul Choi 04/20/2014

Question

Galatians Lesson 9

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16-26

Key Verse: 5:16

When we believe in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 7:38-39; Ac 2:38), and we are saved from the power of sin, death and Satan. We are also set free from the burden of the law. The Holy Spirit dwells in us (1 Cor 3:16). The Spirit gives us the desire and power to do what pleases God (2 Ti 1:7). But still we have a sinful nature. So we must live by the Spirit. Then we can bear good fruit.

Read verses 16-18. What is our natural tendency as fallen human beings? (16b) What spiritual battle rages within us? (17) What should we do in order to continue to live in freedom? (16a)What happens when we live by the Spirit? (16b,18) What does it mean practically to live by the Spirit? (15,17c; Jn6:63; 8:31-32; Ro 15:1-2)

What are the obvious acts of the sinful nature? (19–21a) How do the acts of the sinful nature affect our individual lives, religious lives, and social lives? Why did Paul mention sexual immorality first, and describe in such detail the sins that affect the Christian community?

What does the word “acts” imply? What is the serious consequence of living according to the flesh? (21b) In light of verses 19-21, what hinders you from living by the Spirit?

When we live by the Spirit, what kinds of fruit do we bear? (22–23a)Why does Paul mention “love” first? (13b-14; 1 Co 8:1; 13:13; Jn 13:34) How are the joy and peace whichthe Spirit gives different from the pleasure of sin and worldly peace? (Heb 11:25; 1 Pe 1:8; Jn 14:27; Eph 2:14-17)

What are “forbearance” (Ro 3:25), “kindness” (Ro 11:22), “goodness” (2 Pe 1:3), “faithfulness” (3 Jn 1:3), “gentleness” (Mt 11:29), and “self-control” (2 Ti 1:7)?How are the fruits of the Spirit related to our well-being physically and spiritually? How does bearing these fruits effect others?

How does this fruit reflect the character of Jesus and transcend the law? (23b) What is the mark of Christian life in regard to the flesh? (24; 2:20) What does it mean to “keep in step with” the Spirit? (25; Jn15:5) What must we particularly fight against to have a healthy community? (26)

Attachment

Galatians Lesson 9[1]-questions.doc

Message

Walk by the Spirit

(Live by the Spirit)

Galatians 5:16-26

Key Verse: 5:16 “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Happy Easter! Today we resume our study of Galatians. In the previous lesson we learned that we are free from the bondage of the law when we are justified through faith in Jesus. In other words we live in God’s grace led by the Holy Spirit who frees us from a suffocating and legalistic life. When we believe in Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us, works in us, and produces its fruits in us. Today we will study 1) what the words ‘live’ or ‘walk’ by the Spirit’ means, 2) how to live and walk by the Spirit, 3) what kinds of the fruits we bear when we live by the Spirit.

First, walk (live) by the Spirit (16) Look at verse 16. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Here, the Spirit indicates the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “walk by the Spirit.” In the old NIV it is rendered, “live by the Spirit.” The word ‘peripateite’ in Greek means ‘walk.’ The word ‘peripateite’ implies a continuing condition or need for it. This means that we should have constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit. It means a life together with the Holy Spirit. In his book, “the Fourth Dimension” Rev. David Cho testified how he walked by the Spirit. When he woke up, he greeted the Holy Spirit saying, “Good morning, Holy Spirit.” Before he wrote a message, he asked the Holy Spirit to help him and to give him God’s message. After delivering his message, he thanked God and greeted the Holy Spirit saying, “Thank you, Holy Spirit. We did a great job today.” In the same way, walking by the Spirit implies our constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

How can we walk by the Holy Spirit all the time? First of all, we walk by the Holy Spirit by reading the word of God. All Scripture is written through the Holy Spirit. (2 Ti 3:16) We can communicate with the Holy Spirit through his word. The Holy Spirit works in us through our faith in his word. When we repent of our sins and believe God’s word, the Holy Spirit works. When we deny ourselves and obey God’s word, we can walk by the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why we read the Bible every day. This is the reason why we write a testimony and reflection after hearing the messages—so we can meditate on God’s word and allow the Spirit to apply it to our lives.

Second, we can walk by the Spirit when we think spiritual things all the time. We must think spiritual things all the time. We must meditate on the word of God and think about the work of God. What we think about is very important in our spiritual life. It is because our thoughts produce our desires, and our desires develop into our actions. So, life by the Spirit starts with our thoughts and mindsets. Thus, we must think holy, godly, and spiritual things in our daily life. Romans 8:5,6 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” You are free in whatever you think. Nobody knows what you think. But your thoughts conceive your desires and the desires manifest in action. Since our thought life is critical in our relationship with God, we have to control our thoughts and set our minds on the things of God and on his kingdom.

In other versions, the words ‘walk by the Spirit’ is also interpreted as ‘led by the Spirit’ or ‘governed by the Spirit.’ Being led by the Spirit implies the Spirit’s guidance, and governed by the Spirit requires our obedience. The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth, who is Jesus Christ himself. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we think about Jesus. It is because the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus. In order to be governed by the Holy Spirit, we need to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. We have to let the Holy Spirit rule us and control our thoughts and desires. We also have to follow the Holy Spirit.

Look at verses 17,18. “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Someone said that our heart is a battlefield for our holy desires and our evil desires. We have a natural tendency to follow what our flesh desires. When you are given extra free time in the middle of your work, what do you first? Read the Bible or check your Facebook? If we are not disciplined or trained by the Spirit, we have a natural tendency to gratify our fleshly desires. We have a choice between the things of God and things of men. We are free to follow the desires of the spirit or to follow the desires of the flesh. Even though we are free to choose whatever our desires direct, we are responsible for its consequences between life and death.

Because we are sinful and weak, we must ask the help of the Holy Spirit. We cannot control our sinful thoughts or desires by our willpower or strength. We face limitations. So, we must humbly ask the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called “Another Counselor,” our Helper and Advocate. He defends us, protects us, and guides us. Sometimes we do not know what to do. But the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (Ro 8:26) This is the reason why we have to ask the Holy Spirit. This is the reason why we have to have a constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit.

Second, the acts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (19-23) When we live according to our desires, whether they are spiritual or sinful, we certainly receive their result. As a man reaps what he sows, so we receive according to what we act or live. The acts of the flesh are destructive and they lead us to death. What are they? Look at verses 19-21a. “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…” Why did Paul use the word ‘acts’ of the flesh? Acts are immediate and visible consequences of the fleshly desires. When men have a fleshly desire, it develops into action. All these sinful acts are classified with several sections: The first three sins are sexual sins. The next two sins are religious sins. The other eight sins are social sins, sin against others, and the last two sins are pagan sins. Sexual immorality is adultery and fornication (prostitution). Impurity includes dirty and sexual joking. Debauchery is addiction from sexual interest such as viewing pornography and so on. Idolatry is the worship of the creature rather than the Creator God and witchcraft is the worship the power of evil. Hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy are all social offenses which destroys relationships. All these acts accompany when we do not love our neighbors as ourselves. Drunkenness (methai) and orgies (komoi) are related to alcohol. These sins related to alcohol are degenerated to debauchery. Some may think they are okay because they are not in this sin checklist. But, Paul added the words in the list, “and the like.” All those who follow the same kinds of their selfish and flesh desires cannot escape from God’s divine judgment.

What is the serious consequence of living according to the flesh desire? Look at verse 21b. “…I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This verse does not mean that we cannot enter the kingdom of God because we drank a cup of whisky one time. This verse is a warning for those who continue to live according to their flesh and sinful desires. Those who continue to commit sexual sins, continue to worship idols, continue to damage others by their selfishness, continue to have wild parties—these people cannot enter the kingdom of God. We must quit our sinful life and live by the Spirit. When we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify our sinful desires.

When we live by the Spirit, how does our life change? What kinds of fruits do we bear by the Holy Spirit? Look at verses 22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These fruits of the Spirit are different from the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These fruits of the Spirit are virtues and qualities which we bear when we grow in the image of Jesus Christ. When we become spiritually mature, we bear these fruits of the Holy Spirit. These nine fruits of the Spirit are classified into three parts. The first three fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, and peace, come naturally from a relationship with God. The next three fruits of the Spirit, forbearance, kindness, and goodness, are manifested in our relationships with others. They are social virtues. The last three fruits, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are for himself or herself.

‘Love’ (agape) is listed first. It is because God is love and his divine love is the source of all these virtues. When we love God with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves, we bear all these fruits all together. When you love your brothers and sisters as God loves us, there will be no problem on this earth. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “…faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” ‘Joy’ (chara) is mainly the joy of salvation. God greatly rejoices when he finds what was lost. In the same way, we share God’s joy when we are saved and when we find what was lost through Bible study. ‘Peace’ (eirene) comes also from a right relationship with God. We have peace with God when we are justified through faith in Christ Jesus. We are freed from the wrath of God and we enter into an eternal and peaceful relationship with God as his covenant people.

‘Patience’ (makrothumia) is the quality of putting up with others. Our God is patient and he is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Joel 2:13) When we have the patience of God, we can bear any kind of person with the affection of Christ. ‘Kindness’ (chrestotes) is showing our kindness toward others as God shows his kindness to us. Goodness’ (agathosune) is not much different from kindness, but is more active than kindness in showing our favor to others. So Paul said, “…let us do good to all people…” (6:10)

The last three virtues such as ‘faithfulness’ (pistis), ‘gentleness’ (prautes), and ‘self-control’ (enkrateia) are concerned with a Christian man primarily as he is to be in himself, though these virtues naturally affect others also. ‘Faithfulness’ is full of faith. Those who are faithful are trustworthy and reliable. Those who are gentle always control their anger when it is the wrong time to express it. Jesus is gentle and humble, so he asked his disciples to come and learn from him. (Mt 11:29,30) Self-control is the quality that gives victory over flesh desires. This virtue is one of the most important qualities for those who walk by the Spirit. As I mentioned before, we must control our thoughts, filter our imagination, and tame our tongues. Proverbs 16:32 says, “Better a patient person than a warrior, those with self-control than those who take a city.” (TNIV) Paul also said, “For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” (2Ti 1:7)

Look at verse 23b. “Against such things there is no law.” The law was given to restrain evil, but these qualities do not need to be restrained. No law opposes them. Furthermore, those who bear these fruits of the Spirit fulfill the all the principles that the law requires. Love is the fulfillment of the law. (Ro 15:10)

Third, crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (24-25) Look at verse 24. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” In the last two verses Paul strongly encourages the Galatians to participate in the fierce spiritual battle between spiritual desire and fleshly desire. The flesh desires always make us not to do what is good. The fleshly desire hinders our spiritual growth and damages our relationship with God. When we decide to read the Bible, ours desire for surfing the internet or for playing computer games always tempts us not to do it. What should we do? How can we overcome our fleshly desire and win a spiritual victory over our flesh? Paul said, “crucify our flesh with its passions and desires.” He did not say, “deny your sinful desire,” or “master your sinful desire”, but “crucify” or “take them away”. Paul requires our intense and decisive repentance. As we nailed our old self to the cross when we accepted Christ Jesus, so we also die to our sinful desires. We must struggle until we crucify our sinful desires, nailing them to the cross of Christ. Hebrews 12:4 says, “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”

After we repent of our sinful desires, what should we do? Let us read verse 25. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” In this verse the words “keep in step” (stoichomen) is different from the word “walk” (peripateite). Keep in step with the Spirit is ‘get in line’ with the Spirit or ‘follow’ the Spirit. In other words, we must be sensitive by the work of the Holy Spirit, obey its direction, and work together. The modern Bible “the Message” interprets it more practically: “Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives”. Amen.

Today we studied how to walk by the Spirit and what are the fruits of the life with the Spirit we bear. May God richly bless us when we walk by the Spirit. May God help all of us to grow in the nature of Christ so that we may bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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