Walking by the Spirit Pt.III

Podcast Title: Walking in the Spirit, Part III

Main Scripture

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

—Galatians 5:16 (NIV)

Episode Overview

In today’s episode, we’re diving into part three of our Walking in the Spirit series. In the first two episodes, we explored how God’s original intention was for us to live continually in His presence. We discussed the fall of humanity through sin, which caused a spiritual separation from God. Through this series, we want to understand how to overcome our natural inclination toward “fleshly” desires and, instead, live guided by the Spirit.

In this episode, we’ll review what it means to truly walk in the Spirit. Paul’s teachings in Galatians chapter 5 remind us that, through Christ, we have been set free from the law of the flesh and called to live by faith and love. We’ll also examine Cain and Abel’s story, comparing their choices as reflections of living either by the Spirit or the flesh.

Key Themes and Topics

1. The Spirit vs. the Flesh

•Flesh: Our human nature, which often defaults to satisfying temporary desires.

•Spirit of God: The true source of life, calling us to live in freedom and purpose beyond fleshly desires.

2. Understanding Lust and Love

•Lust: A fervent craving for pleasure, often centered on self-gratification.

•Love: Selfless, other-centered, and the foundation of our faith in Christ.

3. Practicing Faith

•Practice: Living in the Spirit requires ongoing commitment, repeated choices, and intentional behavior to stay aligned with God’s will.

4. Freedom in Christ

•True freedom is found in living by the Spirit, which guides us to genuine love and liberation from the bondage of sin.

Scripture References

•Galatians 5:1-21— The freedom and guidance we receive through the Spirit, contrasting life in the flesh with life in Christ.

•Romans 8— No condemnation for those who are in Christ; our new identity as a new creation.

•1 John 2:15-17— Warning against love for worldly pleasures, urging us to desire what pleases God.

OBEY: An Acrostic for Walking in the Spirit

1.Operate in faith.

2.Behave with love.

3.Entrust your path to God.

4.Yield to the Spirit’s guidance.

Reflection Questions

•Are we living more like Cain or Abel? Are our actions rooted in selfish desires or in a true desire to honor God?

•How can we stay accountable to walking in the Spirit, rather than falling into the patterns of the flesh?

Closing Thoughts

Living by the Spirit is about surrendering our natural inclinations and choosing a life transformed by God’s love. Like Abel, let’s offer our best to God with hearts that seek His guidance. In our next episode, we’ll continue unpacking what it means to live by the Spirit, further strengthening our walk with Christ.

Join us each week as we continue this journey toward spiritual growth and transformation. Let’s keep each other encouraged and accountable as we walk in the Spirit.