Saturday, October 30, 2010

Walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-21)

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For 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. Now 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, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:16-21, NASB)

Why do so many who call themselves Christians live in habitual sin? It seems there are two reasons: Either they’re ignorant of what the Bible says are “deeds of the flesh” or they’re not being led by the Spirit.

Many people who have accepted God’s gift of salvation through belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection haven’t spent much time in God’s word. They have a sincere faith, but they’re still “baby Christians.” In other words, they just don’t know any better.

However, once they grow in faith and study and meditate on God’s word, they begin to see how their behavior is contrary to God’s will for their lives. They seek to behave in ways that please their heavenly Father.

On the other hand, some who once made an “altar call decision” to follow Christ didn’t really commit their lives to Him. Oh, they may still go to church on Sunday and say grace before meals. They may carry their Bible and say “amen” in the appropriate places. They may serve on committees and volunteer their time to help others.

But in the privacy of their homes, they “practice” sin. They live in habitual sin—and they know it.

Only God knows the heart, but one has to wonder: If I knowingly sin, if I deliberately do something the Bible clearly says is wrong, if I ignore the prompting of the Spirit … am I really a follower of Christ? Are you?

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