LIVING BY THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16-24
God's desire is that we live by the Spirit. The big question to ask ourselves is how we can do so. It has to be noted from verses 22 and 23 that life by the Spirit is evidenced by the qualities mentioned there. We must strive to be what the Spirit desires.


1. USE THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:17
We must use the word of God to keep in step with the Spirit. A sword is both an offensive and defensive weapon. We can use it to attack Satan's tricks and to resist his schemes. In Luke 4:1-10 Jesus encounters three strong temptations from Satan and he uses God's word to overcome the temptations.

Q. Do you remember the weakest, lowest, most trying times and moments in your Christianity where someone had to get you up again with the use of scriptures?
Q. Do you use your sword?
Q. Do you memorize Scripture to help you overcome your daily, never-ending temptations?
Q. Do you read the Bible daily?

Romans 10:17
Faith comes from hearing the message from God, and we know that with God nothing is impossible. Decide and resolve to use the Scriptures and apply them in your daily life.


2. PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 6:18
Prayer is an expression of our reliance on god. God expects us to pray in the Spirit (not just babbling) on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Prayer makes our relationship with God greater. Prayer keeps us in step with the Spirit.

To be in step with the Spirit, then, we need to keep praying without growing weary (on all occasions). We cannot just pray on one occasion (morning or evening) and convince ourselves that we are keeping in step with the Spirit. We must pray everywhere, all the time.

Do not restrict your prayers to only certain times of the day. Consider the following: Luke 18:1; Romans 8:26; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Colossians 4:2.


3. REPENT BY THE SPIRIT

Romans 8:13
We are all sinners (Romans 3:23), but we must be willing to repent. We all have our old sinful tendencies. For us to repent of these natural ways, we must set our minds on what the Spirit desires.

1 John 1:5-10
In order to repent, we must be in touch with ourselves and be honest. We must learn to confess our sins to each other regularly (James 5:16). We must not pretend to be fine if in truth we need help.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
We must learn to control our bodies.

The Spirit desires that we repent of sin (e.g. as we read about in Galatians 5:19-21) in our lives, that we live according to what He desires, as we find laid out in the Bible, and that we cultivate a lifestyle of prayer. And to God be the glory.