How Is A Christian To Live? Series

HOW IS A CHRISTIAN TO LIVE?

The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 1)

Galatians 5:16-25

• Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)

[16] So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. [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. [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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. [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. [25] Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

INTRODUCTION:

What does it mean to be a Christian—a follower of Jesus Christ? People would answer that question in different ways. Perhaps the best answer is to say a Christian lives their life like Jesus. Real Christians don’t just ask, “What would Jesus do” they do it!

HOW IS A CHRISTIAN TO LIVE? How are we supposed to live like Jesus?

Here is an even better question: How can you and I be recognized as a Christian by the people around us? Do we live in such a way that other people will know we are Christians?

God has shown us how to live like Jesus in the pages of the Bible, and one of the best descriptions of the Christian life is found in Galatians 5. If you are going to live your life like Jesus, then it all comes down to this one simple instruction: LIVE BY THE SPIRIT.

The Spirit-filled life is a life lived like Jesus; that’s how you and I are to live our lives. We are to live by the Spirit.

When you learn to live the Spirit-filled life—a life like Jesus, then the fruit of the Spirit develops and matures within your life. If you want to know specifically what Jesus was like, and if you want to know how God wants you to live from day to day, then look no further than the fruit of the Spirit.

THREE QUESTIONS—how, who, and what? How is a Christian to live? Who am I living for? What does it take to live the Spirit-filled life?

1. HOW IS A CHRISTIAN TO LIVE?

1. We live our lives differently. (verses 16-17)

• Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV)

[16] So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. [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.

Put simply, when we come to Christ we are to live our lives differently. No longer do we live for ourselves; instead we live by the Spirit—we live our lives like Jesus.

Paul tells us to live by the Spirit and not by what Paul called the “sarx.” “Sarx” is literally translated flesh. The King James Version translates this literally: “. . . Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.”

When Paul says not to follow the desires of the flesh—the “sarx”—it would be better translated HUMAN NATURE instead of sinful nature. I like how the Message Bible says it.

• Galatians 5:16-17 (MsgB)

[16] My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. [17] For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness.

We are all born with a sinful nature. In other words, we are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.

Is “sarx” literally “flesh—is it better translated “sinful nature” or “human nature?” Let me encourage you to replace “sinful nature” with “human nature” or simply “flesh” wherever you find it in your Bibles. Why? Here’s the short answer.

When we come to Jesus we are “born again” and Christ makes “all things new.” The sinful nature is replaced with the Christ’s Spirit within us.