"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Galatians 5:25
Earlier this week at my weekly Bible study, we were looking at Galatians 5:16-26. We talked about the acts of the flesh in 19-20 and then the fruits of the Spirit in 22-23. We had a great conversation about these verses--the challenges of the flesh and the benefits of the fruit. When we got to verse 25, one of the members of my group made an excellent point that I wanted to share.
It was about how we deal with the challenges our flesh often throws at us. The example was patience--some in my group were really challenged in this area. The point that was made by one of the members of the group was that too often we try to master these weaknesses by suppressing them. We bite our tongue when we're impatient. We try and suppress our frustration when we feel it rising.
What this verse is saying to us, is when we walk with or stay in step with the Holy Spirit, we allow the Spirit to lead us. The Holy Spirit is a source of power that will guide us in the direction that God wants us to go--if we will follow. And if we will follow, we can be changed. We can be transformed. Those acts of the flesh that we're challenged with, whatever they may be, can be overcome. We don't have to suppress them because we have been able to defeat them.
We make that decision every day. It's always up to us what step we will take next. The Spirit will help us change our hearts and our minds if we stay in step and let the Spirit lead us. By being transformed by faith, we are leaving those acts of the flesh behind, and taking a step closer in our relationship with God.
~Todd E. Creason
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