LIve by the Spirit

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Holy Spirit College
Holy Spirit College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Paul was always careful lest by overemphasizing a truth he would have caused people to go in the wrong direction. The Gentiles were indeed free from the Law. But this must be balanced by the fact that they were free, not for self-indulgence, but for life in the Spirit. They were not to “use [their] freedom to indulge the sinful nature [to allow the desires and impulses of the sinful nature to take over].” Rather, they were to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13). This means having the same self-discipline that Jesus showed when He, the Lord of glory, humbled himself and was among us “as one who serves” (Luke 22:27—see vv. 25–27; Philippians 2:5–8).

In some passages Paul used the Greek word sarx to mean the physical body (2 Corinthians 4:10, 11), but in Galatians 5 he meant the evil tendencies within us that lead to selfish indulgence and strife: the sinful nature. Thus, the desires that come from the sinful nature in this sense are directly opposed to the desires that come from the Spirit (v. 17). Nor was it enough for these believers simply to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. It takes living by the Spirit to have victory over the desires and impulses of the sinful nature (v. 16).

The problem with these Galatian believers was that they were biting and devouring one another (v. 15; compare James 4:1). This strife showed that they were not living by the Spirit, for if you live by the Spirit you will definitely not fulfill the cravings (desires, sinful desires) of the sinful nature and the mind (Galatians 5:16; the Greek is emphatic). This showed also that putting themselves under the Law was not giving them victory over the sinful nature either. In fact, the Law was encouraging the impulses of the sinful nature, so they could not do even the good things they wanted to do, nor could they bring the peace they wanted to see. The only way to win the victory in this conflict between the sinful nature and the Spirit was to come over completely to the side of the Spirit and let Him lead. This, again, would mean they were not under the Law (the Mosaic Law).

To live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit then means something more than miracles. It means victory over the desires and impulses of the sinful nature. It means crucifying those desires. It means cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, for the fruit of the Spirit is the best antidote to the cravings of the sinful nature.

The guiding principle, then, is in verses 16 and 18. But Paul never left people with general principles. He stated exactly what he meant by the works of the sinful nature that arise from its impulses and cravings (desires, or lusts). He identified clearly the fruit that would arise in the lives of those led by the Spirit. He did not mean these lists (vv. 19–23) to be all inclusive. (Notice the word “like” in v. 21 and “such” in v. 23.) But they are full enough to make clear what he is talking about.

Actually, we need to see the fruit of the Spirit against the background of the cravings of the sinful nature in order to see whether we are living by the Spirit or not. There is no middle ground here for Paul. The works of the sinful nature are not possible if we are being led by the Spirit. If they appear, it means we have stopped living by the Spirit; we have turned away from His leading. This does not mean the Spirit has left us, but that we are giving the sinful nature opportunity instead of giving Him opportunity. However, those who do (keep on doing, make a practice of) these things “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v. 21).

Horton, S. M. (2005). What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit (pp. 175–176). Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House.

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