Tag: flesh

How to know if you are walking in the Spirit Part 7

orange fruit

Faithfulness

Throughout our walk with God, we meet many opportunities to walk in love. Walking in the Spirit is described in Galatians and so is walking in the flesh. In this series we have been looking at each word of the fruit of the Spirit so we can apply this word to our lives. We need to know by God’s word what walking in the Spirit looks like.  Sometimes describing what the flesh looks like helps us to recognize when we are not in the Spirit.

This passage describes the flesh/sinful nature Galatians 5:19-21 NLT “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”

This week’s post is on the fruit of faithfulness. Faithfulness is not just an action it is also a disposition. It is a Christlike nature to be faithful. When we walk in the Spirit we are walking in Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness 23gentleness, and self- control. There is no law against these.”

To be faithful means to me to be consistent, reliable and trustworthy. A Dictionary says, “steadfast in affection or allegiance.” It also means to honor your word. In our day faithfulness has been replaced with ‘whatever feels good for you.’ That is not Jesus’ way. He did what the Father wanted, He said “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will. But Yours, be done.”  That is faithfulness.

I guess we can ask ourselves some questions to see where we are at in our walk with Christ. Do I get jealous if someone else is chosen over me? Do I honor my word? Am I able to keep my commitments? Do I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit when I don’t like what is happening?

Galatians 5:24-26 NLT “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.”

First thing in applying faithfulness is to prayerfully think it through before you commit to something. Do not just say yes then change your mind when something better comes up.

Second thing in applying faithfulness is to never give yourself permission to back out on a commitment unless it’s for sickness or death.

Third thing in applying faithfulness is allow the Holy Spirit to show you any areas that you haven’t been faithful in and repent for it and surrender to His leading in the next opportunity to commit and do.   

How to know if you are walking in the Spirit part 3

Walking in the Spirit is not complicated because God tells us in His word how to recognize what is of the Holy Spirit and what is not. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” The word of God is clear on what fruit we will be producing when we are in led by His Spirit.

In the book of James, it tells us what the wisdom of God looks like in our lives. James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  This passage in scripture lets us know God’s wisdom has good fruits.

So, as we look at the third fruit of walking in the Spirit, we see peace. It is essential to our walk with and in God. This is how you know if you are walking in the Spirit of the Kingdom of God. Romans 14:17 “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Are you walking in peace with God, yourself and others? That question holds a key to where you heart is at.

Peace is not the absence of problems; peace is an inner calmness that is produced by the Spirit of God because we are trusting the Lord for our life, He supplies what we need. We trust the Lord for the wisdom, and direction in situations.  For example, when WordPress updated to 6.0 in November my site crashed. Bluehost helped get it on line but I didn’t know that those who subscribed where not getting the emails. I found out around Christmas.  A friend and I looked at it and I talked with Bluehost twice for a lengthy period. She was on the phone for the second conversation. But with no solution. After we were done talking to the representative on the phone, I started to hum a tune. She started to laugh and said your humming! I forget her exact words, but I still had peace and joy. These were frustrating conversations on the phone the rep could not understand the problem and was not communicating well. So, there was no solution at that time. I had peace that God would supply the solution. I said a prayer and the next day God put a person to ask on my heart. God connected me through the friend with ‘Living Development.’ Maurrie Livingston who is a web designer was so helpful.  He worked through this past weekend to fix the problem and it was affordable.

It is possible to go through things with peace. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  Keeping your mind in peace is done through trusting in God. No matter what we go through God goes with us, so we can trust He is bringing you through.

Another passage of scripture teaches us how to take captive thoughts that are not God or peaceable. We do not have to accept every thought we think. Sometimes there not you or God it is the enemy trying steal your peace and joy. We negate these thoughts through the word of God.  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Stronghold thinking is negative statements believed about yourself or others that are repetitious. As a child of God, we have the authority in Christ to overcome stronghold thinking. Replace those thoughts with the Word of God.  This produces peace in our minds and hearts.

The flesh is in opposition with the spirit. Galatians 5:19-21 NLT “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20) idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21) envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”  When you are a child of God and you follow your own agenda you will manifest hostility, quarreling, outburst of anger etc.  but when you follow the Holy spirit you will walk in peace, joy and righteousness that is the Kingdom of God.

The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not, it also tells us to not let the sun go down on our wrath. So, in plain wording do not stay angry. Anger is a secondary emotion which means underneath the anger is either fear, hurt, frustration… Deal with that and let the anger go if we don’t, we won’t walk in the Spirit.

Peace with God, oneself and others is doable by walking in the Spirit.  Jesus purchased peace with God for us but to stay in peace takes walking in the Spirit, peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God. Put value on your peace.

Walking in the Spirit is not complicated because God tells us in His word how to recognize what is of the Holy Spirit and what is not. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” The word of God is clear on what fruit we will be producing when we are in led by His Spirit.
In the book of James, it tells us what the wisdom of God looks like in our lives. James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” This passage in scripture lets us know God’s wisdom has good fruits.
So, as we look at the third fruit of walking in the Spirit, we see peace. It is essential to our walk with and in God. This is how you know if you are walking in the Spirit of the Kingdom of God. Romans 14:17 “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Are you walking in peace with God, yourself and others? That question holds a key to where you heart is at.
Peace is not the absence of problems; peace is an inner calmness that is produced by the Spirit of God because we are trusting the Lord for our life, He supplies what we need. We trust the Lord for the wisdom, and direction in situations. For example, when WordPress updated to 6.0 in November my site crashed. Bluehost helped get it online, but I didn’t know that those who subscribed where not getting the emails. I found out around Christmas. A friend and I looked at it and I talked with Bluehost twice for a lengthy period. She was on the phone for the second conversation. But with no solution. After we were done talking to the representative on the phone, I started to hum a tune. She started to laugh and said your humming! I forget her exact words, but I still had peace and joy. These were frustrating conversations on the phone the rep could not understand the problem and was not communicating well. So, there was no solution at that time. I had peace that God would supply the solution. I said a prayer and the next day God put a person to ask on my heart. God connected me through the friend with ‘Living Development.’ Maurrie Livingston who is a web designer was so helpful. He worked through this past weekend to fix the problem and it was affordable.
It is possible to go through things with peace. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Keeping your mind in peace is done through trusting in God. No matter what we go through God goes with us, so we can trust He is bringing you through.
Another passage of scripture teaches us how to take captive thoughts that are not God or peaceable. We do not have to accept every thought we think. Sometimes there not you or God it is the enemy trying steal your peace and joy. We negate these thoughts through the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Stronghold thinking is negative statements believed about yourself or others that are repetitious. As a child of God, we have the authority in Christ to overcome stronghold thinking. Replace those thoughts with the Word of God. This produces peace in our minds and hearts.
The flesh is in opposition with the spirit. Galatians 5:19-21 NLT “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20) idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21) envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” When you are a child of God and you follow your own agenda you will manifest hostility, quarreling, outburst of anger etc. but when you follow the Holy spirit you will walk in peace, joy and righteousness that is the Kingdom of God.
The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not, it also tells us to not let the sun go down on our wrath. So, in plain wording do not stay angry. Anger is a secondary emotion which means underneath the anger is either fear, hurt, frustration… Deal with that and let the anger go if we don’t, we won’t walk in the Spirit.
Peace with God, oneself and others is doable by walking in the Spirit. Jesus purchased peace with God for us but to stay in peace takes walking in the Spirit, peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God. Put value on your peace.

Walk in peace… Three ways to keep your peace…

How to know if you are walking in the spirit? Part 1

shallow focus photography of yellow lime with green leaves

The Bible tells us how to know if you are walking and being led by the Spirit.  It also tells us in Galatians what is not of the Spirit is flesh and gives us the fruit (actions and attitudes) of flesh.  Verse 16 says, “I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5: 19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

So, then what is the fruit of walking in the Spirit?  And why are there nine fruit of the Spirit? Should it have said fruits?  I think sometimes we think of them separately but, they are one.  When we walk in the Spirit, we produce fruit. Jesus said, ‘you will know them by their fruit.’ He was referring to false prophets/ teachers.  My mom use, to tell us, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’  Which is a common statement, but it is true. We can tell by someone’s actions, tones, and facial expressions what they really mean.  Anyone can say anything, but the proof is in the action.

I sensed in the spirit it is time to write about the nine fruit of the Spirit. The scripture I am referring to is in Galatians 5:22-23 NKJ “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”  When you walk and live in the Spirit this is what you will produce, or I should say what will come forth from you.

Since Love is first on the list we will start with love.

What is love? ‘God is love.’ Since love is an aspect of the Spirit and appointed as fruit what does it look like in action? When a tree has fruit we are able to see, smell and taste it and we know by that it is an apple, orange, pear or lemon tree for example, therefore fruit is seen and known by distinctive traits.  It is the same with love. Love is not just a word used to describe a feeling. Love is a commitment to someone or something. Love is seen in action

The Bible says in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” The Father sent the Son to die for our sins so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life with Him.

I Corinthians 13 describes love.  Verse 4 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself,  is not puffed up; 5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7) bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things, 8) love never fails…”

Love to me means one lays down its life, it sees the good in others, it is gentle and kind, it long endures, love makes and upholds boundaries, it serves others. Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Most of us would not harm ourselves therefor love does no harm to another. I know that love is essential to our way of life.

As a believer in Christ, it is most important to allow God to change in us what needs changing. Such as actions and attitudes that do not line up with His character.  First ask the Holy Spirt to search your heart and show you if there is anything in the way of love. God will show us when we humble ourselves, pray and ask so that we can confess it, repent and turn from it.  God cares for and about you.

What do you base your Love on? 

Three steps to walking in God’s Power and Might?