“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16, ESV).
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[a] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[b] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
What does the concept of “walking by the spirit” have to do with a life of faith?
"Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
To "walk in the Spirit" means to "be led of the Spirit" (Gal. 5: 18 Romans 8:14). The Christian "lives in the Spirit" (Gal. 5: 25). Since the Christian's source of power and descernment is the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit must be obeyed.
HOW DOES ONE "WALK IN THE SPIRIT"...? 1. By setting our minds on the things of the Spirit - cf. Ro 8:1-6 2. The things of the Spirit would be--
John 15:26 "the Spirit of truth, ...he will testify of me:(Jesus)" 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
16:13 he will guide you into all truth:.
He will refer to the Holy Scriptures to bring truth into focus in our minds:
3. For the Word of God, is the sword of the Spirit - cf. Ep 6:17 4. Just as Jesus used the Word to resist temptation - cf. Mt 4:4, 7,10
-- We walk in the Spirit and follow the Word which He revealed!
The Spirit leads both externally and internally. Externally, the Spirit points us to truth as found in scripture. The instruction and guidance in God's Word are for God's children. Internally, the Spirit sharpens our spiritual comprehension so we can see the truths in scripture. Through our conscience He develops an internal stop control when sin is trying to enter. He also aids by ministering strength and comfort to the struggling Christain wanting to conform to the revealed truth and will of God.-
Paul contrasts the flesh and the Spirit in many of his letters.
In this chapter Paul lists a great many vises. These he labels as works of the flesh. They come natural to human nature.
Then he lists virtues These he calls "works of the Spirit".
Our lives are governed by two entitees
Paul illustrates this in Romans 7-8
In Romans 7 he elaborates on "sin being in our members" (our bodies) The flesh is a disaster when it comes to right living. This carnal, flesh is against God and cannot please HIM, (see Romans 8) and it brings forth the fruits of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like
On the other hand those walking by the Spirit, led by Him, produce a very different kind of fruit: