Download Holy Spirit Lesson 6 qst Oct 2014

The Holy Spirit, Lesson 6
WALK BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Galatians 5:13–26
Key Verse: 5:16
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (2011 NIV)
Introductory Question: What does it mean to “live by” or “walk by” something? What are
some of the things, good and bad, that we typically “live by” or ‘walk by?”
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1. In verse 13a, to what kind of freedom was Paul referring? (2:3–4; 5:3–4) How do we
tend to abuse our freedom? (13b) How should we use our new freedom in Christ?
(13c; 5:6) How can we love like this? (2:20) What happens when we do? (14; 6:2)
How did Paul warn them and us? (15)
13a You, my brothers, were called to be free. 13b But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful
nature; 13c rather, serve one another in love.
Gal 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was
a Greek. 4 This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the
freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.
Gal 5:3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the
whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen
away from grace.
Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that
counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in
the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
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2. Read verse 16. How does the Spirit give us power and direction? What struggle do
we all face? (17) Think about what it means to be “led” by the Spirit (18), to “keep in
step with the Spirit” (25), and to “sow to please the Spirit” (6:8). Why is our mind the
main battleground? (Ro8:5)
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (2011 NIV)
17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the
sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Gal 6:8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one
who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Ro 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature
desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
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3. Note the four categories Paul uses to describe the “acts of the flesh” (19–21a). Why
do you think he lists them like this? What is his warning (21b), and how should we
respond to this?
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry
and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and
envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. 21b I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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4. Read verses 22–23. Why is love the first fruit of the Spirit? How do most of these fruits
affect the way we relate to others? How can we have these fruits in our lives? (24)
What does it mean to crucify our flesh? (Ro6:6; 13:14) To walk by the Spirit, what do
we especially need to avoid? (26)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Ro 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away
with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-Ro 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify
the desires of the sinful nature.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
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5. To walk by the Spirit, why is it important for us to “put no confidence in the flesh”?
(Php3:3–7) To pray? (Mt26:41–45) To meditate on God’s words? (Jn6:63) To sing
praises to God, no matter what? (Col3:16)
Php 3:3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ
Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-- 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If
anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:5 circumcised on the
eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law,
a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 7 But
whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Mt 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is
weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be
taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them
sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed
the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you
still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of
sinners.
Jn 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and
they are life.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all
wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
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†
How does this Bible study encourage, challenge and/or affirm your walk with the
Holy Spirit?
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