Jack Wellman (author and pastor of Heritage Church in Udall, KS) shares “5 Differences Between Walking in the Flesh and Walking in the Spirit” at whatchristianswanttoknow.com.
Those who have the Spirit of God produce fruit that reveal whether they are a child of God or not. If there is no spiritual fruit, then God is not their Father.
Those who walk in the Spirit have crucified the flesh and do not submit themselves to the desires of the flesh, but those who do not walk in the Spirit grieve the Spirit, and their works produce nothing more than the wages that they have earned and that is death (Romans 6:23).
Those who walk in the flesh live according to the flesh and prove that they do by their works, but those with the Spirit of God prove that they are Christ’s by producing a Christ-like life.
Those who walk in the flesh produce works of the flesh like “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5:20-21a), but those who walk in the Spirit “will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Those who “put to death the deeds of the body (or flesh)” (Romans 8:13) are truly walking in the Spirit but those who do not have the Spirit of Christ assuredly do “not belong to him” (Romans 8:9).
“Walking in the flesh” is living according to your “self” life, your old life, the life you lived before you became a Christian. It is living according to your own natural desires, your own wants and needs. For example, if someone hurts you, then you hurt them back. You don’t just get even, you get better.
“Walking in the Spirit” is living according to the New Life that Jesus has given you. It means surrendering your own wants and desires and letting Jesus live His life in you. Instead of being led by your own natural desires, you are being led by the Holy Spirit. For example, if someone hurts you, you don’t react in anger. You show them kindness and patience. When you were broken by sin, Jesus loved you and forgave you, so now you pass that forgiveness and love along to others in need.
“Walking in the Spirit” gives you a radical, new outlook on life. You no longer look down on people or try to determine how they can help you meet your own needs. Instead, you love them with the love of Jesus. You see others as Jesus sees them – hurting and broken and in need of healing. The Lord has strategically placed you in their lives so that He can love them through you.
“Walking in the Spirit” provides you with the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit. You live in the authority and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I read a story today about a Christian woman who was on a bus in Washington, DC. At one point during her trip, some men got on the bus and started robbing people one at a time – taking money, jewelry, and possessions. But when they got to this little woman, the power of God came upon her and she said, “In the Name of Jesus, take your hands off me!” It just leapt out of her without her even thinking about it. Well, those men didn’t bother her. In fact, they got off the bus as fast as they could! She was walking in the Spirit that day, and that is the kind of power available to you when you walk in the Spirit. So friends, walk in the Spirit!
This Sunday, October 1, we will continue our new teaching series, “Faith Strong!” The challenge this week? “Walk in the Spirit!” from Galatians 5:16. Please invite someone to join you at 10:35am either in the building or online for the Live broadcast on Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday at 10:35am to both locations. (Note: This Sunday we will share in Holy Communion.)
Save the Date: Saturday, October 21, 11:30am is “Refresh!” – a fun time of creativity, good conversation, and important connections for women and children as we prepare for our upcoming December 2nd “Christmas Lunch and Treasure Trade”. Bring a friend and one of your delicious favorite foods to add to the lunch table.
Aloha ke Akua!
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