Lesson 3 Walking by the Spirit
Questions 1 and 2
Greetings again, welcome back, so glad to be studying today with you.
Review
Question 1. In the previous lesson, we talked about the first foundational principle of freedom, what is it?
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In the previous lesson, we understood that we need cleansing and that God has opened a “fountain” at the cross, where we might come and receive fresh grace and powerful cleansing. And this Washing at the cross makes us not only clean but also free from guilt. It silences the nagging voice of conscience because it shows us that all our wrongs have been paid for, and we have been freed from them.
Walking by the Spirit
In this lesson, we will learn the second principle of freedom called “Walking by the Spirit.”
During my time of bondage to substances, it seemed my whole life revolved around gratifying the lusts of my flesh. It was all about the thrill, all about escaping into a fantasy world, all about drowning out the voice of condemnation and experiencing fleshly pleasures. I ran to alcohol and drugs for comfort, to alleviate boredom, and any other reason I could find. I smoked to relieve stress.
And this is captivity! The world calls it “addiction,” but the Scriptures tell us that when we commit sin habitually, we are “trapped” (Isaiah 42:22), in “bondage” (Psalm 107:10-11), a “captive” or “slave” (John 8:34), in rebellion (Proverbs 17:11), and disobedient (1 John 3:4). It is serious, which is why God must change our hearts, give us new desires, cause us to begin to detest our previous life of idolatry, for if He doesn’t, we will live and die in sin’s captivity and darkness.
But there is a way to be entirely free from sin’s slavery. It’s not by trying harder, promising to stop or deciding to be free, working steps and programs, etc. The following passage tells us how to be free:
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians 5:16-18 NIV
Question 2. Please fill in the blank. If you “walk by the Spirit, you will not the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
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