‘But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].’ (Galatians 5:16)
Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Observation:
Jesus gave the two most important commandments. If we live by this, not only will we
conquer the world for Christ, but also the kingdom of God. It is the recipe/key for walking by the Spirit. We should stick by it and not be discouraged from it.
To put it simply:
The first and most important commandment (love God ) by: Doing his will (John 14:15 & 16)
The second one as important as the first one (love your neighbors): unselfish concern for others
Walking by the Spirit (character):
The character of a christian walking by the spirit should be love:
- ‘For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do
things for their benefit].” (Galatians 5:14)
What is love?
1 corinthians 13:
- 4: ‘Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous
or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. - 5: It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily
angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. - 6: It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail].
- 7: Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best
in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things
[without weakening]. - 8: Love never fails [it never fades nor ends]. But as for prophecies, they will pass away; as
for tongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away.’
How to not carry out your sinful desires
Galatians 5:
- 16: ‘But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His
guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which
responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. - 17: For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the]
Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct
opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do
whatever [good things] you want to do. - 18: But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
- 19: Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality,
impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), - 20: idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions
[that promote heresies], - 21: envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you
beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God.
Summary:
If we walk by the spirit, we will not carry out our sinful desires. The sinful desires and spirits are opposed to each other. So, if we walk by the spirit our sinful desires will automatically die. We are aware of the practices of the sinful nature, so we should not indulge in them.