Hi Joe,
I was going to start a thread about "walking in the spirit" but I think it goes right along with this thread. I've been pondering deeply what exactally it means to "walk in the spirit." I clearly see within me a division of the desires of my flesh against the desire to be completely in the spirit. I'm struggling to try and understand if there is a "formula" or something that makes it a little easier for me to put away the flesh totally. It's almost comparable to climbing up a ladder and being knocked back off. I feel like I'm double minded and I feel this is not pleasing to the Lord. Here's what the scripture says and I'm trying to let this sink in.
Gal 5:16-26 KJ2000
(16) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
(17) For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
(18) But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.
(19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
(20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies,
(21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who 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, self-control: 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.
(26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
As simple as these verses appear, I still am struggling with understanding exactally how this is done.
I also see another key to this "formula" found in this verse:
Gal 5:14 KJ2000
(14) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
I feel like I'm spinning my tires and getting nowhere.
Peace,
Andy