Have you ever seen the meme of the dog sitting in a burning house, calmly saying, “This is fine”? It perfectly captures how we often feel when facing tough situations. We encounter challenges daily, and knowing how to respond correctly can be difficult. So why is it so hard to respond the right way? What if we could develop an automatic, Spirit-led response to life’s pressures?
Auto-Response: Cultivate a Life by the Spirit of God
The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians contrasts the gospel of grace with legalism. He defends the true gospel of grace, teaching that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from works of the law. Let’s explore how this message can transform our responses to life’s challenges.
There Is a War for Your Soul (Galatians 5:16)
Paul speaks of the “works of the flesh” versus living by the Spirit. The term “flesh” refers to our inner self, naturally inclined to rebel against God. The Greek word for flesh, “sarx,” encompasses all the evil humanity is capable of without God’s intervention. This war is internal, as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 15:17-19 and Mark 8:34-36.
Paul categorizes these sins into sensual sins (like sexual immorality), religious sins (such as idolatry), relational sins (including jealousy and anger), and social sins (like drunkenness). This comprehensive list shows that every aspect of our lives can be affected by these struggles (Romans 7:5-6; Romans 8:5-11). Even Christians can fall into these traps, but we have the Holy Spirit within us to guide us towards a life that mirrors Jesus.
There Is a Warning for Your Future (Galatians 5:18)
Paul warns about the consequences of giving in to the works of the flesh. In the cultural context of Rome, pursuing personal desires was encouraged as long as it didn’t disrupt Roman order. In contrast, the Kingdom of God, as proclaimed by Jesus, demands a different way of living. Jesus inaugurated this Kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection, offering a present and future hope.
If we give ourselves over to the works of the flesh, we are not living in the Kingdom of God now and risk not entering it in the future (Matthew 7:16-20; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). This stark warning calls us to examine our lives and make a conscious choice to follow the Spirit.
There Is a Better Way to Live (Galatians 5:25)
Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the qualities that should characterize a life lived by the Spirit (Isaiah 32:15-17; Romans 8:5-11).
The Holy Spirit is our Counselor, Advocate, Helper (John 14:15-17), Convictor (John 16:8), and Guide (John 16:13). Scholars describe the Holy Spirit as a Divine Personality, part of the Trinity along with the Father and the Son. Charles Spurgeon noted, “It was the Spirit of God who gave success to Jesus Christ’s ministry.”
Living by the Spirit involves:
- Obedience to the Spirit’s direction (Galatians 5:16)
- Engagement in the battle between the Spirit and our sinful nature (Galatians 5:17)
- Submission to the Spirit’s control (Galatians 5:18)
Different translations suggest being guided by, in line with, or keeping in step with the Spirit. Imagine dancing with your child, letting them lead while you follow. This is how our relationship with the Spirit should be—letting Him lead us in every aspect of our lives.
The Gospel at Work
This transformation is the work of the gospel in our lives. Jesus gives us the Spirit when we believe in Him, empowering us to live by, be led by, and keep in step with the Spirit. This vision for life in Jesus is not just aspirational; it’s achievable through the Spirit.
May we all live lives guided by the Spirit, responding to life’s challenges with grace and strength.