But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16–18)While the Bible is filled with information to help us know the difference, the Lord gave me a new thought about this by a question: What does perfect obedience look like?
I was with a few Christian women earlier this week who were unlike most people that I’ve ever met. It is hard to explain, but they were without pretense, ego issues, guilt, malice, resentment, nor any other negatives. However, they could tease one another, boast in their own weaknesses, and laugh about everything. These women were like children in joyful play, yet profound in their wisdom.
As I think about them and about other experiences, I realize that God is showing me how to define what it is like to walk in the Spirit. It isn’t about choice, because He does it, but there are no desires of the flesh. Sin simply does not enter the mind, and if it does, it is quickly recognized and rejected. Love flows instead.
This morning, God raised another question. This one is related to His first command:
And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16–17)
Why that one? The fruit itself was not evil. Charnock says, “Adam was prohibited nothing else but this one, as a sign of his subjection. Now for this no reason can be rendered by any man but merely the will of God; this was merely a fruit of his dominion.”
In other words, God told Adam to do what He said, without making any judgment on it or having any reason to see why. A similar command was made to Abram when he was told to sacrifice his son. That man just did it, without asking why, or protesting, or offering a ‘better’ idea. Obedience is not so much a conscious choice but a spontaneous positive response to what God said. So is walking by the Spirit.
In the garden, God gave that one rule to show the only boundary I have for the freedom God gives. That boundary is: “Did God give me the thought? Or is it my idea?” What highlights His sovereignty? Is there self-reliance in this idea, my words, or my actions? Or is it pure God?
Unfortunately, many learn (or not) by trial and error. Mostly error. I follow a fleshy idea without being Spirit-filled and crash. Had I been Spirit-filled, that idea would not have entered my head in the first place.
This is the difference between the old life and the childlike innocence that Jesus gives. A Spirit-filled life replaces the ‘death’ of being useless, separated from God, self-glorying and driving by personal effort. The flesh might seem okay, even good, but its source is rooted in the knowledge of good and evil and making a choice, rather than in the spontaneous response to the Holy Spirit, regardless of what He asks of me. There is so much trust that disobedience or even questioning God is not even a thought.
The commands of the Law all have reasons. Caring about others keeps the world in peace. Being thankful produces contentment. Prayer keeps me connected to the Lord. But knowing good and evil draws me into a life of making choices instead of simply living only to do what God puts in my heart. And out of that life flows “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
PRAY: Lord, You are telling me to simply love and trust You, to focus on Your kingdom and righteousness, to be filled with Your Spirit — and You will lead me along the way everlasting. While explaining this ‘walk in the Spirit’ to others, may each of us enjoy a return to Eden before sin threw us out — and may You receive great glory. Amen!
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