Gal. 5:16 Walk means a way of life. Our human tendency to sin is called the flesh or the old man. We can overcome our sinful nature by living in the power of God’s Holy Spirit, but it’s only through him Gal. 5:17, 25.
Works of the flesh contrast with fruit of God’s Spirit Gal. 5:19-23. The word for walk in 5:25 means to follow 5:25 NLT. Thank God, he lives in us if we are born again, to help us do his will in every part of our lives.
God gave us illustrations of the battles we face from Israel’s experiences. God had freed them from slavery, and the first city they had to overcome to possess the Promised Land was Jericho. Jericho is a picture of this world system. God said dedicate all the spoils of the first city to the Lord.
The next city, Ai, is a picture of the flesh Josh. 7:1-7. God wanted his people to win. The problem was the sin within. Sin hurts others. 7:3 Let’s never underestimate the pull of our old nature toward sin Mt. 26:41; 1 Cor. 10:12.
How do we walk in the Spirit?
I. Receive Christ’s victory Rom. 6:4-6
Done away with, does not mean eliminated. It means to be defeated or rendered inoperative. Jesus broke the power of our sinful nature to dominate us and control us, just as he did this world system, through his death on the cross for our sins.
2 Cor. 5:7 Do we believe God’s word?
Josh. 8:1 “See,” with the eyes of faith. The people believed God, used all their army, and won the victory. This time, God said they could keep the spoils of war.
II. Renew our mind Rom. 6:11, 14; 8:5, 6 (8:5 NLT)
To walk in the Spirit, we must keep putting off sinful thoughts and dwelling on godly thoughts. We’re to consider ourselves dead to sin and consider ourselves alive to God. By God’s Spirit and grace, he empowers us to live a resurrected life.
The more of God’s life and peace we live in, the less pull some temptations may have to lead us to sin.
Josh. 8:30, 32 Joshua called the people to worship the Lord and reminded them of God’s word. God’s full blessings come by doing his word.
III. Reach out to others Jude 1:22, 23 NLT
We want to love God and love people enough to reach out to them with the life-changing power of the good news of Jesus. However, we must be fully committed to the Lord to not compromise our faith in the process of reaching out.
I know it can be discouraging when you feel like you keep repeating the same sin. Be quick to repent and receive the Lord’s forgiveness. He helps us back up when we fall. Jesus is our confidence and strength. Trust him and stay close to him. It’s part of the growing process.
Jude 1:24 NLT Thank God, for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. And thank God he is able lead us in victory.
Will you think on and confess Gal. 5:16 every day this week?