For the Blogging Bible Study, and anyone else who wants to jump in.

In Galatians Chapter 5 we have Paul’s solution to problem of returning to the law, as well as a description of the conflict in the life of the one who has been saved by grace, but also has to contend with his/her fleshly tendencies. 

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” – vv. 16-17

Paul describes both the “works” of the flesh and the “fruit” of the Spirit. The terms “works” and “fruit” for the the manifestation/outworking of the flesh and Spirit points to the external/internal aspects of works/fruit. Fascinating and “spot on” use of terms.

Then he summarizes with this:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” v. 25

What Paul does not tell us is “how” we put into practice living and “walking” by the Spirit. He tells us “what” we should do, but not “How” to do it.

So the obvious question here is: How do we live and walk by the Spirit, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit living within us, so we no longer follow the impulse of the flesh? Verse 16, “. . .walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, seems to say that it’s somehow natural that when we walk by the Spirit we won’t succumb to the desires of the flesh. The “supernatural” working of the Spirit of God in the heart of a believer produces a “natural” result.

So HOW do we walk by the Spirit? What’s the key?