16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Vs. 16 - “Walk by the Spirit” - “Walk” is used in the sense of way of regulating your life by following the way of Christ. Let your life be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit to live in us and teach and guide us in the way we should live. (See: John 14:26, 15:26). We should never need to walk in darkness (John 8:12). We are encouraged to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to emulate the way Jesus lived (See: Rom. 4:12, 8:4; Eph. 5:8; 1 John 2:6).
- “Will not carry out the desire of the flesh” - James says is clearly in his letter: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (Jam. 1:14-16)
John echos this thought, “Do not love the world, nor things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15,16).
Flesh or world - both refer to living without Jesus or the Holy Spirit directing the way you live.
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Vs. 17 - “These are in opposition to one another” - Who is in control of your life? There are only two choices - you, or Jesus by the Holy Spirit. No one can serve two masters. (Matt. 6:24; Luk. 16:13) This world is the Devil’s playground. He is the prince of this world. (See: Eph. 2:2) He is opposed to God (he wanted to supplant God, or to be equal to God). If you follow Satan’s leading you will NOT live according to God’s will. You might accidentally do something correctly.
If you follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, you WILL live according to God’s will. The Holy Spirit will not lead you in directions that are opposed to the Father. God cannot oppose Himself. It is likely that you may fail to listen to the Holy Spirit in some situations. This does not mean you have turned yourself over to Satan, but have committed a sin. God had provided a remedy for this. The relationship can be restored by your confession and repentance. (See: 1 John 1:8, 9)
- “So that you may not do the things that you please” - The “things you please” are actions and a way of life that opposes God. Left to our desires, we will sin. Again, look back at James 1:14-16. It is also possible to do good works, and work at living a good life without the Holy Spirit. Jesus was pretty clear that working to show how good you can be is not the same a living for Him, listening to Him, seeking Jesus for guidance and direction. See: Matt. 7:20-23.
We are saying, “Lord, look at all the great things I have done, for You!” That is the problem - “I have done...” Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do nothing!” (John 15:5).
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Vs. 18 - “Led by the Spirit” - Jesus promised the Holy Spirit - the Helper, the Advocate - would be in us and with us forever! (John 14:16) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). When we believe in Jesus Christ we are moved from enemies of God to friends. It is better than no longer enemies; we are now children of God.
- “Not under the Law” - That shackle has been shattered. This goes a step further than the conclusion reached at the big confab in Jerusalem (See: Acts 15:1-21.) The conclusion there was that Gentiles were not to be troubled by demands of the Law - they could come to Christ just as they are. We can infer the Law was still important to the conference of leaders, but not so much as to hinder Gentile believers.
Paul, here led by the Holy Spirit takes a quantum leap. The Law is not a bothersome bump in the spiritual road. The Law is useless. It is a hindrance. The Law will draw you away from Jesus. Under the Law, you focus on what you are doing for God.
It is crucial for us to understand: It is not what we can do for God. It is what God has done for us. He has sacrificed Himself for our sins. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). The barrier of the Law - the sacrifices, the holy days, the festivals, the offerings - has been stripped away. All that has been fulfilled at the cross.
The cross is the only barrier between you as a sinner and an enemy of God, and you as a friend and child of God. That cross is the only way to cross the immense chasm between Holy God and sinful man. It is not a cross you have to bear. It is a gift you get to accept. It is totally your choice. Believe and be saved. He offers you an abundant life, free from sin, free from guilt and shame if you allow Him to control and empower you day-by-day, moment-by-moment.
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