Cultivate the Fruit: Walk In the Spirit

Verse 16 – Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh

Walk in this case is present imperative, meaning to keep on walking.  We should continuously live under the control, influence, and power of the Holy Spirit.

When we are saved, we don’t lose our human nature.  Paul didn’t say that you won’t want the lust of the flesh, he said that you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

The desire may not go away, but as we yield ourselves to His control, He will help our “want-to”.

“Just because I want to, doesn’t mean I have to.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson

“A casual walk with the Holy Spirit will not produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit.” – Dr. D’Ann Johnson

“If you can get yourself together then you wouldn’t need Jesus”-Dr. D’Ann Johnson

The Issue

Verse 17 – 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.

The Spirit and the flesh are diametrically opposed to one another.   So you cannot please both.  You must walk in the Spirit to not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  We don’t have enough power on our own to not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  We must have the Holy Spirit!

Ecclesiastes 7:20 – Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

If you are led by the Spirit

• He lays hold and brings you to a point of destination
• He is accompanying us to a particular destination
• You catch a hold of Him to get to a point of destination