Whatever Happened to the Holy Spirit?
Walking by the Spirit
by
John MacArthur
All Rights Reserved
(A copy of this message on cassette tape may be obtained by calling
1-800-55-GRACE)
Galatians 5:16-25 Tape GC 90-34
Introduction
In Galatians 3:3 Paul writes: "Are you so foolish, having begun by the Spirit,
are you now being perfected by the flesh?"
A. Spiritual Folly
We are as foolish as the Galatians when we begin our salvation in the Spirit and
then try to live in the flesh. Yet this is an old error. Jeremiah 2:11-13 is
God's indictment of Israel when they similarly defected spiritually: “'Has a
nation changed gods when they were not gods? But My people have changed their
glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this, and
shudder, be very desolate,' declares the Lord. 'For My people have committed two
evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for
themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.'"
1. Israel Forsook the True God
Israel forsook the true God, the source of everything. In John 7:37-38 Jesus
says, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in
Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living
water.'" He was referring to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the divine
resource who provides all that a thirsty soul could need. Just as Israel forsook
God, the "fountain of living waters" (Jer. 2:13), the church today has forsaken
God the Holy Spirit, who remains the provision of all we need.
2. Israel Sought a False Substitute
Israel turned from God to substitutes that could not help. They turned to broken
cisterns that held no water, which promised everything yet provided nothing. The
church commits the same folly today when it turns from the Holy Spirit--the
stream of living water--and seeks answers in the empty buckets of psychology,
pragmatism, and humanism.
B. Spiritual Wisdom
1. The spiritual issue
Salvation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. The spiritual life is also
His supernatural work. The Galatian sin was believing that what is begun in the
Spirit can be perfected in the flesh.
2. The Spirit's initiative
As Christians we came into spiritual life through the agency of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit convicted us of our sin and brought us to repentance. He
produced in us the faith we needed to respond to the preaching of the gospel. He
similarly brought us into submission to the lordship of Christ, and we were
regenerated by Him--recreated into new life. The Spirit of God indwelt us,
baptized us into the Body of Christ, gave us spiritual gifts, sealed us for
eternal life, and separated us from sin. That monumental work of the Spirit
lifted us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear Son
(Col. 1:13). Ours is a spiritual life--we are not of this world though we are in
this world.
Review
We have previously seen that the Spirit offers believers all the perfecting
resources they need. He provides access to God, where all spiritual resources
are found. He illuminates the Scriptures so that believers may know exactly what
they are called to do. He strengthens believers in the inner man and glorifies
Christ as the authority and example of Christian practice. He personally guides
the consciences of believers to do God's will. He ministers strength and
correction to believers through other believers, and intercedes for us so that
all things work together for good in our lives. Those are the ministries that
the Spirit of God offers every to bring about spiritual maturity.
We are to live on the spiritual level. Conversely, we must cease doing what we
are warned against in Scripture.
A. 1 Thessalonians 5:19--"Do not quench the Spirit." We quench the Spirit when
we seek solutions apart from His leading. We put out His fire, push Him aside,
and treat Him with indifference when we deny His power.
B. Ephesians 4:30--"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God." The church today is
both quenching and grieving the Spirit by refusing to respond to His leading and
engaging in sin and disobedience. We must begin to move in the power of the
Spirit if the church is to stop offering human solutions to spiritual problems.
Lesson
In Galatians 5 Paul tells us that the key to Christian living is a
Spirit-controlled life. Our problem is our fallen flesh, and only the Holy
Spirit can harness it. Every wrong action, reaction, word, idea, emotion, and
attitude is from the flesh. The Bible says we've been changed in the inner man
by salvation (Rom. 8:10). Some day we'll be changed in the outer man and will be
perfect forever. When our bodies have been redeemed, the flesh will no longer be
a problem.
I. THE COMMAND (v. 16)
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."
A. The Problem
Christians are clearly commanded to subdue the flesh. Subjection of the flesh is
the foundation of the Christian life. When a Christian is walking in the Spirit,
the desires of the flesh are not carried out. Since all our problems are caused
by the flesh, the means by which the flesh is overcome is the solution to
everything. That is not an oversimplification but the truth according to God's
Word.
B. The Meaning
The word translated "walk" is a present-tense command. It could be translated
"keep on continually walking." Paul used a very picturesque metaphor to describe
the Christian life--we're to take one step at a time under the control of the
Holy Spirit. The Christian walk is a habitual pattern.
As Christians we possess the indwelling Spirit (Rom. 8:9). In fact our bodies
are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). As the Spirit moves and leads,
we are to respond moment by moment, step by step, and day by day, relying on His
power and direction.
C. The Application
1. What to do
Walking in the Spirit requires two things: studying the Word of God so that you
can know the mind of the Spirit, and communing with God so you can know the will
of the Spirit.
a. Ephesians 5:18-20--"Be filled with the Spirit, ... singing and making melody
with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father."
b. Colossians 3:16--"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly." Being filled
with the Spirit is the same as letting the Word dwell in you richly because as
the Word dominates your thinking, it dominates your actions. As the Word moves
through your heart and mind, the Spirit of God directs your life.
As you spend time in the Word and as you spend time in prayer, communing with
the living God and building an intimate relationship with Him, you are in a
position for the Spirit to move you down the path of God's choosing.
2. Why to do it
The Bible does not teach the eradication of sin in this life or a second work of
grace whereby a person becomes perfect and never sins again. The spiritual walk
is accomplished moment-by-moment and depends on our submissiveness. Anyone who
says he has no sin makes God a liar (1 John 1:8-10). But while we can't overcome
sin totally in this life, by walking in the Spirit we can overcome it as a
pattern of life. We must cultivate spiritual thinking by communing with the
living God in constant and intense prayer, and feeding continually on the Word
so that our thoughts are God's thoughts. That's why Paul said "I die daily" (1
Cor. 15:31). Every day we are to die to self and walk in the Spirit.
3. How to do it
The Christian life is a daily yielding to the Spirit of God. "Walk" is a general
term that describes the Christian life.
a. Ephesians 4:1-2--"Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have
been called, with all humility and gentleness."
b. 1 Corinthians 7:17--"As the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called
each, in this manner let him walk."
c. 2 Corinthians 5:7--"We walk by faith, not by sight."
d. Ephesians 2:10--We were "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
e. Ephesians 4:17--"Walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the
futility of their mind."
f. 2 Thessalonians 3:6--"Keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly
life." We are to walk separate from sin.
g. Ephesians 5:2--"Walk in love."
h. Ephesians 5:8--"Walk as children of light."
i. Ephesians 5:15-16--"Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,
making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
j. 3 John 3-4--John wrote, "You are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than
this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."
For a Christian to walk in humility, purity, contentment, faith, good works,
separateness, love, light, wisdom, and truth, he or she must walk by the Spirit.
Only the Spirit can produce those virtues.
4. The result
All the commands of the New Testament can be reduced to the necessity of walking
by the Spirit. When you do that you will not carry out the lusts or desires of
the flesh. Your flesh wants to control you--your actions, thoughts, and
feelings. It wants to create anger, hostility, bitterness, jealousy, envy, and
strife. It wants you to fear, doubt, and hate God. It wants your life full of
guilt, your marriage destroyed, your home wrecked, and your relationships
ruined. It wants to make you useless to God. The only hope of overcoming the
flesh is to walk by the Spirit. Human solutions cannot solve what are
fundamentally spiritual problems. The use of pragmatism, human methodologies,
psychology, and other human efforts to solve fleshly problems will fail to
overcome the compelling lusts of the flesh. Victorious Christian living is
achieved by walking in the Spirit.
II. THE CONFLICT (vv. 17-18)
"The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things
that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law."
It's easy to articulate a principle, but it can be difficult to live by it.
A. Explaining the Problem
A conflict is assumed in verse 16. Paul indicates that our flesh desires to harm
us and that the only way to overcome it is to walk by the Spirit. He gets more
specific in verse 17: the flesh is opposed to the Holy Spirit. That's why there
is conflict in the life of a Christian. It's a conflict that doesn't exist in
the life of a non-Christian because he doesn't possess the Spirit. Christians
are different people.
1. 2 Corinthians 5:17--"If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old
things passed away; behold, new things have come."
2. Galatians 2:20--Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no
longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
We are new creations--new people. In Christ we are created for good works that
God has before ordained (Eph. 2:10), yet we still sin. That's because we are a
new creation incarcerated in unredeemed flesh. Until our unredeemed flesh is
destroyed and we are glorified, we will always have to battle the flesh.
B. Defining the Flesh
What is the flesh? The Greek word sarx (often translated "flesh") is a very
important term in New Testament teaching.
1. The body
Sometimes the word sarx refers to the physical body. In Luke 24:39 Jesus says,
"A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." Here Jesus
referred to body tissue.
2. Human effort
Sarx is also used to refer to human effort. That is how Paul used it in
Galatians 3:3: "Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the
flesh?" As we've already discussed, that is an obvious reference to man's effort
to accomplish the supernatural by natural means.
3. The unredeemed nature
The primary significance of sarx is its reference to our unredeemed nature. When
so used, it refers to that part of a Christian that hasn't yet been redeemed
(Rom. 8:23). The flesh is where sin resides in us.
The word refers not only to sin's residence in the body, but also to its effect
on the mind. Scripture refutes the philosophical dualism that says spirit is
good and material things are evil. Sarx in this sense encompasses your material
body, your feelings, your thoughts, your mind--any part of you that is tainted
by sin.
Paul illustrates that concept of sarx in Romans 7: "I am not practicing what I
would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate" (v. 15). He explained he
was in that state specifically because of the sin within him (v. 17), describing
its residence as the flesh (v. 18). In salvation, one's spirit is changed and
made new. But that new man remains in an old house.
In Galatians 5:17 Paul's message is that the flesh of a saved person is not in
harmony with that person's spiritual state. The unredeemed flesh and the Holy
Spirit are engaged in conflict. Verse 17 notes that that conflict is of a kind
that sometimes doesn't allow you to do as you'd prefer.
You may have noticed in your own spiritual walk that sometimes you don't do what
you ought to do or you do what you never should have done in the first place.
That's the battle of the Christian--what Paul describes in Romans chapter 7.
Unbelievers do not participate in this battle because it is a war between the
flesh and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
C. Dealing with the Flesh
Human solutions are the products of the flesh because the flesh affects all
human effort. Psychology and pragmatism represent fleshly human answers to
spiritual problems. Those methodologies are the products of natural effort that
is independent of God, weak, helpless, and sinful. When we have spiritual
problems and turn to human solutions for answers, we are attempting to snuff out
fire with gasoline.
The flesh "sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh"
(v. 17). The Greek word translated "desire" (epiqumia [epithumia]) refers to a
strong compulsive yearning. The flesh desires to conceive and bring forth sin,
whereas the Holy Spirit desires to prevent sin from happening altogether
The flesh is the beachhead where temptation lands. Evil desires move the flesh
in a battle against the Holy Spirit to dominate the Christian's life. The power
of the flesh is great, but the power of the Spirit is greater. When we walk in
the Spirit we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. When we pursue fleshly
solutions to problems, we feed the flesh.
D. Compounding the Problem
1. The mistake examined
In verse 16 Paul says we're to walk by the Spirit and thereby not carry out the
desires of the flesh. In verse 18 he says that when we walk by the Spirit, we're
not under the law. Paul equated attempts to live by the Mosaic law with the
desires of the flesh. The Mosaic law was a collection of rules given to man by
which he was to control himself. If a man kept the whole law he'd be a perfect
man. The flesh would be completely controlled in such a man. But no one can keep
the whole law.
In verse 18 Paul is saying that when we walk by the Spirit, we are not under the
law of human effort. Human effort is connected with the flesh, while spiritual
effort is connected with the Spirit. Operating under the law means to be
operating by works--by human effort, using human solutions, agendas, wisdom, and
methodologies. That only feeds the flesh. Human effort is pointless when it
attempts to deal with the spiritual dimension. The law, which is good in and of
itself (Rom. 7:12), is unable to control the flesh. The problem with human
methods like psychology is that they are of human design, are far inferior to
the design of God's law and tend to heighten the desire of the flesh.
2. The mistake illustrated
In John Bunyan's classic The Pilgrim's Progress, there is a scene in what Bunyan
called "The Interpreter's House." The parlor in the house thick with dust.
Christian, the main character of the book, saw someone come in and start to
sweep the dust. But it just billowed into a cloud and gagged everyone in the
room. Then it fell right back down where it started. The Interpreter explained
to Christian, "This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by
the sweet grace of the Gospel: The dust is his Original Sin, and inward
Corruptions that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep...is the
Law" ([Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1979 reprint], p. 26). All the law can do is
stir up the dust of sin--it cannot cleanse anyone. Pragmatism, psychology, and
other methodologies can do no better because they are inferior to the law. The
flesh requires a spiritual solution.
3. The mistake exposed
The folly of human effort is that God set an impossible standard to begin with.
He wants us to look to Himself Add to that Satan, who is a very strong foe, and
the flesh, which is very powerful. Man will never be able to keep the divine
standard, overcome Satan and dominate the flesh by human means.
Every problem in life comes from the flesh. Every solution comes from the
Spirit. As Christians, the encouraging truth of 2 Corinthians 6:16 ought to be
embedded in our minds: "We are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
'I will dwell in them and walk among them.'" God lives in us. He is walking with
us and leads us. The Spirit of almighty God is in us. We are to follow where He
leads, which is the only way we can conquer the flesh.
III. THE CONTRAST (vv. 19-23)
A. The Deeds of the Flesh (vv. 19-21)
"The deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity,
sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger,
disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things
like these... Those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God."
1. Sin associated with sex
Immorality, impurity, and sensuality all relate to sexual behavior. The Greek
term translated "immorality" is porneia [porneia], meaning "illicit sex" or
"fornication." "Impurity" (Gk., akaqarsia [akatharsia]) means "uncleanness." It
refers to pornographic thoughts that lead to pornographic activities.
"Sensuality" refers to lascivious conduct--living for pleasure without
restraint.
A contemporary term to describe all these is "sexual addiction." Sexual
addictions are not caused by a lack of self-esteem or a poor relationships with
your mother or father. They are produced by the flesh.
2. Sin associated with religion
Verse 20 lists the category of self-effort in religion, and labels it
"idolatry." Idolatry is as much a work of the flesh as immorality. It means
worshiping or being preoccupied with anything other than the true God, such as a
false god, a false religious system, self, money, career, prestige, a house, or
a car.
3. Sins associated with drugs
The Greek word translated "sorcery" is farmakia [pharmakia] (meaning "drugs"),
from which we get the English word pharmacy. Drugs were used in Paul's time in
the practice of magic and sorcery. Because people regularly took drugs as a part
of occult practices, the term [farmakia pharmakia] came to be associated with
sorcery and witchcraft. However its root idea related to drugs.
4. Sins associated with relationships
The flesh produces "enmities" (hostility), "strife" (quarreling), "jealousy"
(anger toward another's good fortune), "outbursts of anger" (uncontrolled temper
tantrums), "disputes," "dissensions," "factions," and "envying."
5. Sins associated with alcohol
The flesh produces "drunkenness" and "carousing," along with the wild parties
and immoral activities associated with such vices.
All problems that people have in this world are all produced by the flesh.
Compulsive sexual behavior is a product of the flesh (v. 19). An obsession with
the things of the world is a product of the flesh--it is "idolatry" (v. 20).
Drug addiction is a product of the flesh (v. 20). Bitterness, hate, family
conflicts, self-pity, jealousy, lack of fulfillment, temper problems, drinking
problems, envy, discontent, unhappiness, anorexia, and bulimia are all the
products of the flesh. Paul did not provide us with an exhaustive list. That's
why he said, "things like these" (v. 21).
Paul warned that "those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom
of God" (v. 21b). Those who continually practice the deeds of the flesh are the
unregenerate. If the things which Paul listed are the unbroken patterns of your
life, then you're not a Christian.
B. The Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22-23)
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
1. Its meaning
Paul affirms that there's only one way to dominate the flesh. In contrast to the
products of the flesh is the fruit of the Spirit. The law doesn't deal with
those things because it deals only with human effort. The fruit of the Spirit is
produced not by human effort, but by the power of the Spirit.
2. Its power
A lack of love is a lack of the fruit of the Spirit. Depression and despair is a
lack of joy, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Inner conflict and fear
is a lack of peace, which is also a part of the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit
produces patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness in place of
distraction. He gives self-control to those who are out of control.
3. Its simplicity
The principles that Paul gave for the resolution of spiritual problems are
simple. The only one who can overcome the flesh is the Spirit, so it makes sense
to walk by the Spirit. But we often think we are so clever with our human
solutions and end up bewitched into trying to cure fleshly problems with human
solutions. What we end up with is a sick church.
IV. THE CONQUEST (vv. 24-25)
A. God's Part (v. 24)
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and
desires."
The flesh has been put to death. It is part of the past. But some of us are
foolish enough to carry the dead corpse around. We let its rotting decay effect
our lives more than it needs to. Paul's instruction is that from a factual
standpoint before God, the flesh is dead. The power of its desires is broken.
B. Our Part (v. 25)
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
1. Biblically delineated
The only source of spiritual transformation is the Holy Spirit. The only way to
live spiritually is in accordance with the way in which we entered spiritual
life. We began in the Spirit, so we must live in the Spirit.
2. Experientially applied
a. Toward your marriage
Do you want to have a happy marriage? Walk in the Spirit. He will give you love,
joy, and peace. If you are having terrible conflict in your marriage, it isn't
because you haven't had good counseling; it's because you're not walking in the
Spirit.
b. Toward yourself
You may be experiencing personal problems such as dissatisfaction, unhappiness,
and depression. One human solution is to claim that you've have problems because
your parents stuffed you in a closet and left you there for two hours when you
were four. While circumstances do complicate our lives, they do not cause
spiritual problems. The reason you're not enjoying the fruit of the Spirit is
that it is a product of those who walk in the Spirit.
c. Toward your family
The flesh wars against the Spirit. I am often asked, "What's the key to raising
your kids to love the Lord? What's the key to having a happy home?" The answer
is simply to walk by the Spirit and He will produce His fruit.
Conclusion
Walking in the Spirit is hard to do on our own. It is a day-by-day yielding to
the direction of the Spirit. That is why Galatians 6:1-2 says, "Brethren, even
if a man is caught in any trespass [because he didn't walk in the Spirit], you
who are spiritual [walking in the Spirit], restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one
another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ [the law of love]."
Christians need help from each other. That's one reason the church exists. We're
not to forsake assembling together, and are to stimulate each other to love and
good deeds when we do meet (Heb. 10:25). Because all of life's problems come
from the flesh, we must help one another to walk by the Spirit.
Focusing on the Facts
1. What was the sin that Paul wrote the book of Galatians to combat? How does it
relate to Israel's past?
2. The key to Christian living is a ________________ __________?
3. What is the source of our spiritual problems?
4. What picturesque metaphor did Paul use to describe the pattern of the
Christian life?
5. What two activities are essential in the life of a Christian?
6. Do believers ever become perfect in this life? Why or why not?
7. List some of the ways in which Scripture describes the walk of the Christian.
8. What does the flesh desire to accomplish in the life of a believer?
9. What different meanings does the Greek word sarx have in the New Testament?
10. What is the problem with trying to use psychology, pragmatism, and other
humanly conceived methodologies to solve the problem of the flesh?
11. Was man ever able to solve the problem of the flesh by trying to fulfill the
law? What does that imply?
12. What kind of a solution does the problem of the flesh require? Where does a
Christian go to find that solution?
13. What are the deeds of the flesh?
14. How does one conquer the deeds of the flesh?
Pondering the Principles
1. The Galatians attempted to accomplish spiritual ends by methods of their own
devising. The Puritan writer Abraham Wright stated, "The cause why our
oppressors prevail oft against us is, because we trust too much in our own wits,
and lean too much upon our own inventions; opposing subtility to subtility, one
evil device to another, matching and maintaining policy by policy, and not
committing our cause to God" (cited in A Puritan Golden Treasury, I.D.E. Thomas,
ed. [Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1977], p. 294). Peter said that Christians were
to humble themselves under God's mighty hand knowing that he will lift us up in
due time, casting all our anxieties upon him because he cares for us (1 Peter
5:6-7). Yet in our pride we turn from God's ways and prefer man's diagnoses and
solutions instead of the remedies God so richly supplies through the indwelling
Holy Spirit. How are you going to seek the Spirit's supply and direction to meet
your own need for spiritual strength?
2. Many in the church have adopted the idea that Christianity is merely a
philosophical system for dealing with life. We often act as though we are
ashamed of the gospel, forgetting it is "the power of God for salvation of
everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16, NIV). The Puritan William Bridge wrote that
"faith tells a man that God is come near to him, and he is come near to God; and
therefore faith certainly is the great remedy and means against all
discouragements that can arise" (A Lifting Up for the Downcast [Edinburgh:
Banner of Truth, 1979 reprint], p. 267). If you are a Christian, are there
problems in your life that you're attempting to solve in your own strength? Rely
on the Spirit instead. If you do not know Christ, are you now willing to give
yourself to Him who promised, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt.
11:29)?
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Bible Study Guide Collection" by:
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