Bible Study Led by the Spirit

[JLB]

This subject came up is a discussion so I thought I would share it here, to see if anyone would like to comment or add to what I have written.


To be led by the Spirit, means we live our life according to the power of the Spirit within, resulting in manifesting love and the righteousness of faith rather than living according to the sinful desires of our flesh, manifesting the works of the flesh.


Here is the context:


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14



Here are the two choices for every Christian who are born again, and empowered by the Spirit, to live their life:

• if you live according to the flesh you will die
• if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

“IF” clearly indicates the condition of choice, each of us must make.

• Sow to the Spirit or sow to the flesh.

Eternal life or Eternal Condemnation is the result of our choice.



JLB

 

[Christ_empowered]

Excellent post.

 

[Edward]

Whoa. There are no coincidences in God's kingdom! I got on here to start essentially what is this thread and I see that you have already started it. The past few days the Lord has been teaching me about this very subject and even something new (to me) along these lines...and here you are Brother!

I am going to chew on this just a bit before jumping in, and gather my notes because in a Brother JLB thread, I'm going to need them, lol

 

[JLB]

Whoa. There are no coincidences in God's kingdom! I got on here to start essentially what is this thread and I see that you have already started it. The past few days the Lord has been teaching me about this very subject and even something new (to me) along these lines...and here you are Brother!

I am going to chew on this just a bit before jumping in, and gather my notes because in a Brother JLB thread, I'm going to need them, lol

Please share what you have, as I believe we as the body of Christ, need to a balanced truth about this subject.

Biblical and Balanced.


I also want to discuss “sowing to the Spirit” in this thread as well.



JLB

 

[Edward]

I will Brother. I'm not quite ready yet, a distraction came up and I'm dealing with it right now but as soon as I get that behind me.

 

[Edward]

Ok, here we go. Now I can't say that what I am going to put forth is absolutely true, but it is what I have been learning and studying lately, and there's no better place to come to have Brothers and Sisters poke holes in a souls understanding, or to affirm it! That said, we are to be led of the spirit...to walk in the spirit. Right?

Let's start in Galatians 5:16-25

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.../

This passage seems to be comparing our spirit and our flesh. Listing the works of the flesh and also, the fruits of the spirit. Now, let's be sure to be clear here...this passage is talking about our personal spirit, right?

verses 18, 22 and 25 have Spirit, which is capitalized, which normally, I take to mean the Holy Spirit...but the context of the passage seems to me to be speaking about our spirit. What do you say about that, Holy Spirit or Our spirit?

I do know that once we are born again, we are a new creature, transformed by the renewing of our mind etc., and though it takes place over a period of time, that the first fruit of the spirit which manifested in me, was in fact, love. My heart is not what it used to be. and I (am learning to) walk in love towards my neighbors, Brothers and Sisters and even my enemies (those who wrong me).

It seems to me that we are to strive to develop our spirit within us to be dominant over our flesh and mind, once we are born again.

In John 15:5-8 we read,
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.../

SO we are the branches. It is the branches which bear the fruit. So I think that this passage means our spirit and not the Holy Spirit. It says, fruits of the Spirit, but...the Holy Spirit doesn't bear fruit does He? He is our teacher and we are the branches, which bear the fruit. Not of our own, but in Christ and His power. So the passage in Galatians 5 is talking about us and our spirit, right?

I'll pause here for now...

 

[Edward]

I guess what I am driving at here is, we are to be led of the spirit and to walk in the spirit...and I have always took this to mean the Holy Spirit, but could it mean walk in our spirit (Which we know that the Holy Spirit bears witness to), and if we are walking in our spirit, in Love towards all having been transformed by the renewing of our mind...is that correct?

It would imply and show that we are maturing as BaC and progressing in our walk. Of course, abiding in Christ and learning His Word and will through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit being our helper, teacher and comforter. And as far as I recall, we are to be making our spirit to be dominant over our flesh and intellect. SO when we walk in the spirit and...led of the spirit...could this be our spirit, or does it only mean the Holy Spirit?

 

[JLB]

This passage seems to be comparing our spirit and our flesh.

Exactly.

Our flesh contains sin which was passed down from our Adam.

It desires to gratify it’s lustful cravings.


Born again Christians who are empowered with the Holy Spirit, have dominion over the sin and it’s desires that are contain in our flesh.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 6:12-14

We are to exercise this dominion and put to death the “deeds” that the flesh desires to have gratified.


The Spirit within us, stimulates and moves us to build up our inner man by investing our time with godly habits such as prayer, worship, bible study, fasting going to Church, seeking the Lord, meditating on scripture and setting our minds on godly things, and consecrating ourselves in which we are set apart from worldly influence.


The end result of these things is everlasting life.


... but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.


Paul says it this way to the Romans -


...you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.






JLB

 

[JLB]

This passage seems to be comparing our spirit and our flesh. Listing the works of the flesh and also, the fruits of the spirit. Now, let's be sure to be clear here...this passage is talking about our personal spirit, right?

Your spirit that is joined to the Holy Spirit.

Since the emphasis is on the Spirit leading your spirit or inner man to live and practice righteousness, by expressing love, then it is said Spirit.


But yes, I personally agree that we are to live our life out from the born again new nature that is empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than the lustful cravings of our flesh.



JLB

 

[JLB]

and if we are walking in our spirit, in Love towards all having been transformed by the renewing of our mind...is that correct?

I tend to use the phrase “walk according to the Spirit” which to me means we are living in harmony with, and expressing the righteous life of the Spirit that dwells in our spirit, rather than the sinful desires of the flesh.


There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1




JLB

 

[JLB]

And as far as I recall, we are to be making our spirit to be dominant over our flesh

Amen brother.

 

[GodsGrace]

This subject came up is a discussion so I thought I would share it here, to see if anyone would like to comment or add to what I have written.


To be led by the Spirit, means we live our life according to the power of the Spirit within, resulting in manifesting love and the righteousness of faith rather than living according to the sinful desires of our flesh, manifesting the works of the flesh.


Here is the context:


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14



Here are the two choices for every Christian who are born again, and empowered by the Spirit, to live their life:

• if you live according to the flesh you will die
• if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

“IF” clearly indicates the condition of choice, each of us must make.

• Sow to the Spirit or sow to the flesh.

Eternal life or Eternal Condemnation is the result of our choice.



JLB

J...
The way you've worded this up above really doesn't leave any question...it's more clear.

My original question had to do with what is "walking" or what is "sowing".

Using the word sowing does clarify.

Using the word "walking" does not.

IOW, If I'm walking in the spirit and SIN, it does not mean I lose my relationship with God....I'm still walking toward God, I fall, I ask forgiveness, I get up and keep walking.

If, instead, I'm sowing for the flesh...this to me means I'm LIVING A LIFE OF SIN...if one is living a life of Sin..obviously my relationship with God has changed since I am not obeying Him and am, in fact, disrespecting him.

I think this was my point....

 

[JLB]

IOW, If I'm walking in the spirit and SIN, it does not mean I lose my relationship with God....

For the most part I agree.


However, the principle of walking according to the Spirit, is that if we are walking according to the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16


IOW walking according to the Spirit, in which we fulfill the righteous desires of the Spirit, rather than the lustful desires of the flesh, is how we keep from committing sin.


JLB

 

[JLB]

IOW, If I'm walking in the spirit and SIN, it does not mean I lose my relationship with God....I'm still walking toward God, I fall, I ask forgiveness, I get up and keep walking.

Very Very good question.

Very difficult to answer, in a straightforward way.

For the most part I’m in agreement with you.

There is another scripture that I want to introduce into the discussion that I believe will add some balance. 1 John 1:7
(To discuss in the next post)

There is also the principle of “to whom much is given much is expected”.

IOW, the Lord doesn’t expect as much out of newer Christians, than He does out of a more mature Christian.


Based on this scripture, to walk in the Spirit, means we do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16


Paul has warned these folks in the past and is now warning them again, admonishing them to walk in the Spirit.


Look at the language.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21


Key Verse:

• of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things...

Paul had warned before about this type of lifestyle, and is now warning them again.


IOW, these folks have had Paul personally with them, and had his letters, so these were not baby Christians anymore.



JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

Very Very good question.

Very difficult to answer, in a straightforward way.

For the most part I’m in agreement with you.

There is another scripture that I want to introduce into the discussion that I believe will add some balance. 1 John 1:7
(To discuss in the next post)

There is also the principle of “to whom much is given much is expected”.

IOW, the Lord doesn’t expect as much out of newer Christians, than He does out of a more mature Christian.


Based on this scripture, to walk in the Spirit, means we do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16


Paul has warned these folks in the past and is now warning them again, admonishing them to walk in the Spirit.


Look at the language.


I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21


Key Verse:

• of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things...

Paul had warned before about this type of lifestyle, and is now warning them again.


IOW, these folks have had Paul personally with them, and had his letters, so these were not baby Christians anymore.



JLB

I agree 100%.
Well stated..good verses.

The only objection I have to the explanation is that it sounds like we could get to a point in our walk where we never sin.

Are you saying this?
If not...something has to be amended.

If you ARE saying this...
then I don't agree.
There's plenty of scripture which I could post if you ARE saying this. (that we can stop sinning).

J. Wesley and some denominations used to teach total sanctification in this life-time...they're pulling back from that idea.

This is why I like to read the ECFs.
They did NOT believe we could stop sinning.

 

[Edward]

This is a good thread with a lot of good info laid down here. However, let's take a look at this statement as well as the original question of the thread for the benefit of those young in Christ, shall we?

Based on this scripture, to walk in the Spirit, means we do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh.

I agree Brother, but...what is it, to walk in the Spirit?

Now I just sat down and so do not have my scripture references ready, but they can be added in a few.

From what I have learned and to paraphrase scripture, the answer is...to walk in the Spirit we do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh...so true, but is that not something that happens because we are walking in the Spirit? A secondary thing which happens after we begin walking in the Spirit, then we will not and do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh! Right? You with me?

We all know that God will do anything for us, but for many things, we must initiate our walk by asking for something. So...how to initiate a walk in the Spirit?

The short answer is read and pray, like is the answer to so much of our growth in Christ. So, we have to fine tune our frequency to that of the Spirit and the Kingdom of God. Remember Jacob's Ladder? The father speaks to His Son, no one comes unto the Father but through Jesus. the Son speaks to the Holy Spirit, and...the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Jacob's Ladder illustrates this. The Father and Son are above, a ladder is beneath. The ladder is the Holy Spirit. This is our way to Jesus, the Son.

Everyone must start to think on themselves as a spirit being, because that is what we are. I am not my body. I am a spirit. I have a soul, and I live in a body. Our spirit must join with the Holy Spirit and become one. Resonating at the same frequency as the Holy Spirit and God's kingdom. Once our spirit and the Holy Spirit are one...it is then that we can be said to be...walking in the Spirit.

As we walk in the Spirit, our spirit can grow and mature and our sanctification and growth will progress. Over time, our mind will come into agreement with our spirit and the Spirit of God.

Then, we will not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh. Right?
Yes.

 

[JLB]

The only objection I have to the explanation is that it sounds like we could get to a point in our walk where we never sin.

That is the goal of full stature sonship.

When you read John’s epistles in his latter years, you get the sense of this life of Christ being more prevalent within him. That he had grown up into Christ in a substantial way.


For now we are growing up or maturing in Christ.

Walking in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust’s of the flesh.


JLB

 

[GodsGrace]

This is a good thread with a lot of good info laid down here. However, let's take a look at this statement as well as the original question of the thread for the benefit of those young in Christ, shall we?





I agree Brother, but...what is it, to walk in the Spirit?

Now I just sat down and so do not have my scripture references ready, but they can be added in a few.

From what I have learned and to paraphrase scripture, the answer is...to walk in the Spirit we do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh...so true, but is that not something that happens because we are walking in the Spirit? A secondary thing which happens after we begin walking in the Spirit, then we will not and do not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh! Right? You with me?

We all know that God will do anything for us, but for many things, we must initiate our walk by asking for something. So...how to initiate a walk in the Spirit?

The short answer is read and pray, like is the answer to so much of our growth in Christ. So, we have to fine tune our frequency to that of the Spirit and the Kingdom of God. Remember Jacob's Ladder? The father speaks to His Son, no one comes unto the Father but through Jesus. the Son speaks to the Holy Spirit, and...the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Jacob's Ladder illustrates this. The Father and Son are above, a ladder is beneath. The ladder is the Holy Spirit. This is our way to Jesus, the Son.

Everyone must start to think on themselves as a spirit being, because that is what we are. I am not my body. I am a spirit. I have a soul, and I live in a body. Our spirit must join with the Holy Spirit and become one. Resonating at the same frequency as the Holy Spirit and God's kingdom. Once our spirit and the Holy Spirit are one...it is then that we can be said to be...walking in the Spirit.

As we walk in the Spirit, our spirit can grow and mature and our sanctification and growth will progress. Over time, our mind will come into agreement with our spirit and the Spirit of God.

Then, we will not fulfill the lustful desires of the flesh. Right?
Yes.

Great post !

We are spirits
In a material world.

 

[GodsGrace]

That is the goal of full stature sonship.

When you read John’s epistles in his latter years, you get the sense of this life of Christ being more prevalent within him. That he had grown up into Christ in a substantial way.


For now we are growing up or maturing in Christ.

Walking in the Spirit so that we do not fulfill the lust’s of the flesh.


JLB

Yes, I agree that we can get better and better.
I think we need to encourage other Christians.
I don't like saying that we will always be sinning because that
is not encouraging IMO.

OTOH, we shouldn't make anyone feel unwanted because they do sin....

We don't become perfect and then go to God...
We go to God and then become perfect...

Whatever that perfect may mean to different persons.

 

[GodsGrace]

JLB

I'm sorry J....
What I'm trying to say is regarding the wording of the explanation of Walking in the Spirit...

To me it just sounds too much like we could be 100% PERFECT and I don't believe we can.