By: Robert Serreyn
Question? In Galatians 5:16 would you sir define more clearly “Walk in the Spirit”?
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Answer: Sure, No Problem.
Paul here is talking to christians, therefore doing the “Will of the Lord” is in view.
“Walk In the Spirit” could be said as “Keeping or Staying busy in doing the Will of the Lord”.
Since the Holy Spirit INSPIRED MEN to write The Bible then he (the Holy Spirit) WOULD ALSO impress upon those who are Unsaved TO BELIEVE the Gospel and the Word Of God and for the Saved TO OBEY what is written in The Bible.
2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
John 16:7-11 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (8) And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (9) Of sin, because they believe not on me; (10) Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; (11) Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Further more Galatians 5:16 states that IF those who ARE SAVED “Walk In the Spirit” (keep busy in doing the Will of the Lord) they “Shall Not” fufil the lust of the Flesh”, in other words they will be SO BUSY doing good for the Lord that they would not have much time to do the bad things (sins) of the flesh.
NOTE: There are churches and ministries (such as Salvation Army among many) that take Galatians 5:16 and claim that this verse ADVOCATES(teaches) Sinless Perfection (Which is not true and a FALSE DOCTRINE).
What this verse IS SAYING is that If you stay busy in trying to do what the Lord has written in his word (Walk In the Spirit) then you won’t have much time to (SHALL NOT) give into (FULFIL) the sins of the flesh.
The Late Dr. Hank (Henry) Lindstrom(1940 – 2008) once said “That you cannot prevent a bird from landing on your head, but YOU CAN prevent the bird from building a nest on it” in other words “You cannot stop a bad thought from entering your mind, but YOU CAN prevent that bad thought from taking root and causing you to sin”
In Conclusion:
In Galatians 5:16 the Apostle Paul is SIMPLY STATING, “Stay Busy in Doing The Lord’s Will” like Studying, Reading and Teaching the Bible, Witnessing, or doing whatever for the Lord and you will find that “You Won’t have Time to Give To The Sins Of The Flesh”. BECAUSE you will be to busy, MAKES SENSE to me, What do you Think???
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH