This I say then, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Maybe you have hit bottom with personal guilt, and you are now fearful of becoming hardened to your sin. It is possible to no longer feel guilty about your sin. When that happens, you are in danger of becoming reprobate-minded. So, the very fact that you feel guilty is good!
You have heard this verse and even read this verse, but the question is, how do we apply it? “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh!” That is the remedy for the flesh, but how do we walk in the Spirit? I will keep it simple and straight from the Book (Bible).
Apply the Three D's:
“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
We cannot live the Christian life without dependency on Jesus! We plug our phones in and gas our vehicles up. Why? Because they need energy to perform. You may look like a Christian and act like one for a while, but if you are not depending on Him, it will show up in your attitude and appetites!
David would later testify: “Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Psalms 55:17).
Maybe you have hit bottom with personal guilt, and you are now fearful of becoming hardened to your sin. It is possible to no longer feel guilty about your sin. When that happens, you are in danger of becoming reprobate-minded. So, the very fact that you feel guilty is good!
You have heard this verse and even read this verse, but the question is, how do we apply it? “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh!” That is the remedy for the flesh, but how do we walk in the Spirit? I will keep it simple and straight from the Book (Bible).
Apply the Three D's:
- DISTINGUISH between the flesh and the Spirit. Sometimes we think we are in the Spirit just because we are having a good time, but that is not evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. My flesh can be made happy and joyful through many experiences that are good and wholesome, like eating a good meal, playing games with friends, fishing, and catching fish! These things do not determine my spirituality. Lost people can enjoy these things. So, I must ask myself, am I able to find joy outside of those things? Am I able to experience the joy of the Lord when everything is going wrong?
- Take each fruit of the Spirit and determine if you have them in your life when, naturally, they would not appear. This will help you know if you are in the flesh or not. Often, people fall into great sin by small degrees! David's first sin was not murder nor adultery, but the negligence of duty! Read Galatians 5:17-23.
- DECIDE to follow Christ. Gaining victory over your flesh is a personal decision. No one can do it for you. Once you have distinguished your spiritual status, decide to do right. You may have to confess sin. You may have to start soul winning. You will have to get in the Word of God and find a good Bible-preaching church if you are going to walk in the Spirit. It is a directional decision! You know which way Walmart is! You know which way the gas station is! You ought to know which way Jesus wants you to go. Read Galatians 5:24-26.
- DEPEND on Jesus. After you have distinguished your spiritual status and decided to follow Christ, you now need to depend upon Him for spiritual strength and guidance!
“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
We cannot live the Christian life without dependency on Jesus! We plug our phones in and gas our vehicles up. Why? Because they need energy to perform. You may look like a Christian and act like one for a while, but if you are not depending on Him, it will show up in your attitude and appetites!
David would later testify: “Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice” (Psalms 55:17).