Living in the Spirit: Galatians 5.16-23

There are advantages to living in the fullness of God's Holy Spirit. And although our true motivation for Holy Spirit-fullness should be intimacy with God, there is no ignoring the fact of the benefits that are available to us as we live in the Spirit. We must be careful that we never seek the benefits of the Spirit, but rather, seek the Spirit, the Giver of the benefits.

1. If you live in the Holy Spirit, you can be free from lust (v. 16). As our lives are filled with the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit Himself, there is no room for the temptations that lead us to sin. Paul's admonition in Ephesians 5.19 is instructive here. Keep on getting filled up with the Holy Spirit.


2. When you live in the Holy Spirit, you can be free from the law (v. 18). The law was given to keep people in line with God's will. The Holy Spirit does not eliminate or replace the law, but as we live in the Spirit of Christ we see that requirements of the law become less important. We do not need guidelines to tell us to do what the Holy Spirit makes us want to do.


3. If you live in the Holy Spirit, you can be free to be fruitful (vv. 22-23). The fruit of the Spirit are those attributes that are a direct result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person, home, church, family or workplace.

• The fruit cannot be imitated. If they are from the Holy Spirit they are pure and pervasive.


• The fruit cannot be forced. You cannot create the work of God, only God can.


• The fruit can be lost. As we sin and go our own way we can lose God's presence, the Holy Spirit and the fruit that be gives.

The Fruit-

• Love. This is not the love that our world tries to convince us is real. This love comes only from God and is completely pure and holy.
• Joy. The Holy Spirit is the only source of true joy in this world. What often seems like joy is only a cheap imitation.
• Peace. For years the world has sought peace. However, we keep engaging in war, bigotry, hatred and evil. True peace is not an outside force, but rather it is an inward work of God.
• Longsuffering. Patience reminds us to wait and love those around us, even when they disappoint or injure themselves and others.
• Kindness. There are many people who attempt to be kind to others. But human kindness grows weary when it is abused or neglected. True kindness is a fruit that lasts and comes only from the Holy Spirit.
• Goodness. The Bible teaches us that all people are sinners. This means that only those who follow God and do his will can have the fruit of goodness in their lives.
• Faithfulness. Consistency is lacking in our world. Being faithful is another product of God's working in our lives.
• Gentleness. O, that more people understood what it means to serve God in gentleness. Take care to think of others first and ask the Holy Spirit to bring true gentleness into your life.
• Self-Control. Many of the problems of this world would simply go away if we were able to control ourselves, our emotions and our lusts. This ability is given to us when we are filled with God's Spirit.