Walking By The Holy Spirit Analysis

First of all, the Holy Spirit gives believers the freedom to grow in sanctification and to glorify God. Believers have freedom simply because it is God’s gift to us, thus it can only be exercised in faith by walking by the spirit. (“galatians 5:13-26”) God has not given this freedom so people can live their lives for their own pleasure, but for the first time, they can do what God desires out of love for Him. The Holy Spirit gives true believers this desire to serve God. Believers will not enjoy the things of this world; the new nature hates sin and loves God’s righteousness. (macarthur) “Walking by the spirit is an enduring commitment to moral consistency through time… awakened to the divine direction and guidance that inspires and liberates.”(“galatians and …show more content…
(Zondervan) Self-indulgence is not true freedom, but slavery to one’s fleshly appetites. The freedom that the Holy Spirit brings is the capacity and inclination to serve and love one another. (jervis) Before a person is regenerated, he is unable to do anything except follow after his own lusts. He does not have the ability to truly serve others out of unconditional love. But once a person is saved, the Holy Spirit removes the power of sin and slavery to the law and gives freedom. The believer now has the responsibility to serve others within the community of faith. The perfect example of true servant-hood is Christ Himself. He lived a life free from enslaving lusts and instead chose to be a slave to the needs of others. The Holy Spirit is the power behind the believer’s ability to serve and bear fruit. As believers serve one another by being controlled by the Spirit, it will then effect the lives of the other believers, causing them to bear fruit in their own lives. This service will continue to expand and “enhance the gospel in the world.” (“toward an ethic of shared