Thanks for making time to read and comment on posts! Currently, the objective is writing shorter posts. At times, I feel the need to change posts and reorganize the information to make it more readable for you all. That’s why that posts may change after you first read it.
This category of posts centers on rebuilding faith and establishing authentic faith. There are seasons of our lives that require us to reconsider and align our understanding(s) of God’s truth to His Word. God is merciful in that He will lead us into situations/difficulties that require us to grow in our understanding of His Nature. Walking by Holy Spirit is essential in this process! Has God ever led you into a season of reflection and deeper thirst for Him? If this is the case, hope that some of my insights will uplift you and encourage you to press ahead in your journey!
Walking & Holy Spirit
Walking by the Spirit Romans 8:1-11 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
(Ezekiel 36:16–38; Galatians 5:16–26)
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, 4so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, 7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
Paul teaches us to walk by Holy Spirit. This is the path of renewal and righteousness. Be controlled by Holy Spirit not flesh or law! Galatians 5:16-26 explains how this will look and what fruit will grow in our lives.
The expression walk by the Spirit is a metaphor that Paul uses to describe the way in which believers are called to live.
https://www.gotquestions.org/walk-by-the-Spirit.html accessed 9/5/23
The following article from Got Questions explains this walk and the various characteristics.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-walk.html
an excellent explanation of Galatians 5:16
https://www.gotquestions.org/walk-by-the-Spirit.html
True Faith & Spirit
Does God challenge our wrong beliefs and thoughts about Him? Remember Job’s friends and how that they were wrong. Ron Bay, Jr. writes an excellent, concise piece about Job’s friends.
https://renew.org/what-we-learn-from-jobs-three-friends/
The point is that often we don’t know why things are happening and what God is doing. Consider that if we could fully understand God then He wouldn’t be an Infinite God! The difficulties that we face and/or walk with others in life will challenge our understanding and relationship with God.
Is this a bad thing? Not according to God’s Word. Beginning in Genesis, one can perceive how God reveals Himself through life events and difficulties. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses learned about God as He reveals Himself. God doesn’t leave them unfazed! Jacob dares to wrestle God and he limps for the rest of his days.
Thankfully, Jesus sends Holy Spirit to guide and empower us. That’s why walking with Holy Spirit is essential to true faith. So are you walking by faith or by sight? Holy Spirit will assist you!
Holy Spirit and Serving Others
Others perceive when we are walking by faith and being authentic! A true believer is someone who demonstrates good fruit. Jesus warns us about fruit: Luke 6:43-45 (BSB)
A Tree and Its Fruit
(Matthew 7:15–23; Matthew 12:33–37)
43No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles. 45The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Recall that Jesus is teaching crowds of people and has just given the Beattitudes and warned people about judging others. Walking by Holy Spirit keeps us focused on God and His ways!
Why are “religious” people often the most critical, petty, and malicious souls?
I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and self-seeking and every thing that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Ghost will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and self-seeking and pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God; and I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him when he is full already with something else.
D.L. Moody, https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1072564?ref=holy-spirit accessed 9/5/23
It goes back to the heart as Jesus teaches. When I find myself being critical and/or harsh in my thoughts or actions: then I know that something is wrong in my heart. This is a toxic fruit that comes from worldly wisdom: James 3:13-18 BSB
The Wisdom from Above
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
verse 18 is literally translated But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those making peace.
Got Questions gives us this insight:
Being in tune with God’s will, turning from and confessing sin, and making a habit of prayer and the study of God’s Word will allow us to recognize—and follow—the Spirit’s leading.
https://www.gotquestions.org/guidance-Holy-Spirit.html accessed 9/5/23
We will be known by our fruits!
https://www.gotquestions.org/guidance-Holy-Spirit.html
Are you walking with God? Investing time in His Word and seeking to grow and respond to His lead? Our lives reveal the direction we are going!
Words of Grace & Hope 