How do we consistently walk in THE SPIRIT!
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Galatians chapter 5:
16 I say emphatically: Walk (live) in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
In other Words, make the path of the Spirit the place where you habitually live and walk. Become so comfortable on this spiritual path that you learn to leisurely and peacefully stroll along in that realm. Living your life in this Spirit realm is the best and only way to guarantee that you will not allow the yearnings of your flesh to creep out and fulfill themselves.
17 When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder Him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit’s intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit.
The flesh produces works whereas the Spirit produces fruit:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: 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; 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.
The Passion Translation describes these works of the flesh in today’s terms as:
Sexual immorality
lustful thoughts
pornography
chasing after things instead of God
manipulating others
hatred of those who get in your way
senseless arguments
resentment when others are favored
temper tantrums
angry quarrels
only thinking of yourself
being in love with your own opinions
being envious of the blessings of others
murder
uncontrolled addictions
wild parties
and all other similar behavior.
These works ultimately produce death and destruction whether it be life or relationships with others. Some are obvious whereas other works are subtle. For instance, “being in love with your own opinion” is dangerous in a subtle way.
If a person has decided beforehand that nothing you have to show him is worth his time, he will be stubbornly stupid. He will see it as foolishness. He has no common sense.
Wisdom and understanding are necessary for us to fully embrace the beauty of GOD’S Word written specifically for our benefit. The Source of our wisdom and understanding comes from The Holy Spirit, not from the opinions of so-called experts.
James wrote by The Holy Spirit in James chapter 3:
13 If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful life guided by Wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you’re truly wise.
14 But if there is bitter jealousy or competition hiding in your heart, then don’t deny it and try to compensate for it by boasting and being phony.
15 For that has nothing to do with God’s Heavenly Wisdom but can best be described as the wisdom of this world, both selfish and devilish.
16 So wherever jealousy and selfishness are uncovered, you will also find many troubles and every kind of meanness.
17 But the Wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with Love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form
18 and It always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of Wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.
Every one of us produces fruit from our actions. Our actions will result from either our spirit, our flesh, or both. It is up to each of us on a daily basis, to decide whether we produce works of the flesh or fruit of The Spirit.
Take a moment each time you are confronted with the opportunity to respond. As James stated in chapter 1 verse 19, “Be swift to hear and slow to speak… or respond, then decide on your response.