Let’s look again at Romans 8:5–13 (NASB) “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so;8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.10 And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
There is a great contrast between living according to the Spirit versus living according to the flesh. Each is focused on opposite things: The Spirit is set on life and peace, the flesh on death. There’s hostility between the two. Those living according to the flesh cannot please God. But those who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
Liberty from the Flesh -Walking After the Spirit!
The book of Galatians also deals with this subject and particularly chapter five.
Galatians 5:1 (NASB) “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
In Christ Jesus, we now have liberty from the law of sin and death, but to walk in that liberty, we will have to refuse to walk in the flesh and instead, continue daily to make right choices by the Spirit. In Chapter 5, Paul makes it clear we must choose between walking by the Spirit or falling from Grace back into living according to the flesh, our self-sufficiency.
Galatians 5:16–25 (NASB) “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
From this we can know what is of the Spirit and what is of the flesh by the fruit each produces:
The Spirit’s Fruit (evident presence):
Walking by the Spirit is set against the flesh. Led by the Spirit, we aren’t under the Law. The following are produced: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Not under Law and results in crucified flesh!
But living after the flesh will not carry out the Spirit’s desires because the flesh is set against the Spirit. The deeds of the flesh (its fruit) are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissension’s, factions, carousing, etc. This does not inherit the kingdom of God (righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit).
If we live (have Life) by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit, also.
NASB | Ga 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.
We let HIM live through us, live as us. People see us in human form but they see HIM living through us. HIS LIFE in us lives above the line!! We live seated in heavenly places. We live victorious. We live as HE lived on the earth, walking by the Spirit, walking in love, in peace and joy. We’ll need to renew our minds to this so we remember in the stress to trust Him and wait on Him for His ways so we can walk after His Spirit.
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