Send to Kindleby Robin McKinley
In the last few verses of Galatians 5, the Apostle Paul gave us some great tangible instructions. He emphasized what living by the Holy Spirit looks like. The chapter finishes with the following 2 verses.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:25-26
Leading up to those 2 verses Paul encouraged all believers to allow the Holy Spirit to guide their lives. He also stated the reason why.
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. Galatians 5:16-17
He went on to list 15 sins, plus others like them. We involve ourselves in them when we follow the desires of our sinful nature. People living in sin often consider their actions acceptable and self-serving. But those sins also determine our eternal futures.
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21
The next verse describes our quality of life when living by the Spirit. We call it the Fruit of the Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians5:22-23
A Final Warning
I find it interesting that after Paul kind of pats everyone on the back. Saying now that you are living by the Spirit, here is a final warning.
He mentioned 3 things we should be aware of. They are 3 things the enemy can throw our way that can undermine our Christian walk. The first is aimed at how we view ourselves.
Let us not become conceited. Jesus used an illustration of the vine in John 15. He said, He is the vine and we are the branches. Then He made a very important statement, He said without Him we are nothing.
Let us not provoke one another. When we provoke someone we do or say something to aggravate that person to anger. Something is purposely done to press their buttons. Provoking swings far from loving.
Let us not be jealous of one another. Jealousy happens because of envy. The jealous person views how God has blessed someone else selfishly and enviously. It is the direct opposite of how God wants His family to function.
Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Romans 15:7
Living by the Spirit is the best way
So as we live by the Spirit don’t let the enemy undermine you with conceit, a provoking attitude, or jealousy. Let the Fruit of the Spirit grow in your life, it is led by love.
Lord, guard our hearts and minds. Because we want to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
About The Author
Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.
Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”. He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.
These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.
Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.
