Life by the Spirit

Spend time reading and rereading and taking note of keywords in Gal 5:16-26
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Questions:
What are some of the list of vices (sinful acts) that are present in your life?
How have you seen the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life?
Why do you think Paul ends with verse 26?

Things to reflect on:
This passage is so well known as many of us can even say all the fruit of the Spirit. However, we find more and more that even if we can list them out, how many of us really feel like the fruit of the Spirit are present in our lives. Can we share about ways that we have seen that work out in our walks? I remember helping out in a church in Hong Kong and many of the students were international students at Christian schools. They knew Scripture inside and out and could rattle off all the fruit of the Spirit when asked. But when I asked them, how were they able to see the ways you showed love to someone this week or self-control, not one of them was able to share. At the same time, this passage isn’t just about the fruit of the Spirit, but it is also the conflict between a life with the Spirit and one living for sinful desires. We must be Christians that are desiring more of the Spirit that will keep us from things that are apart from God. If you are finding yourself struggling, it is time to stand firm and look to the Spirit to guide you to be filled with God rather than these sinful ways.

Spend some time praying about what God wants you to do in next steps


Tuesday: Pray for your family
Pray that you will be able to spend more quality time with your family over winter break