Today’s Text is simply beautiful, yet profound!
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:16.
One little verb, in the imperative (giving a clear command) mood, yet probably holding the very “key” to the victorious Christian life!
It all depends on where one “walks!”
Or maybe better, how one walks!
And “walk” is Paul’s word for a person’s (who is a Christian) daily lifestyle, behavior, deportment, conduct, demeanor. (I’ve run out of synonyms!) In Greek the verb is “peripateo,” literally “the pathway one traverses.” Your daily “goings,” whether to or from work, school, running errands, whatever! It is a 24/7 situation, around the clock!
The Phrase “in the Spirit,” utilizes the single noun “pneuma,” no preposition needed in Greek because the dative case is here being used. Certainly … Walk IN the Spirit. With this nuance also … Walk TO (in communion with Him, with Him in view) the Spirit. Or as well … Walk FOR (to the Glory of God, to bring pleasure to) the Spirit!
Meaning?
Live every day under the conscious domain of God the Holy Spirit, hourly communing (sharing) each minute detail of existence with Him!
Paul’s last (known) written verse to the Corinthians Believers included this prayer: “The communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14, yes … this attainment (realization) is genuine victory!
Consequently … therefore … if one so abides in this sublime Fellowship of the Spirit … “ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
The “not” here is quite interesting. Paul (the Holy Spirit really, who is the true Author of Galatians) didn’t choose just one word for his negative emphasis! He used both “ouk” and “me” (pronounced “may”) in tandem … in this single half-verse! And a double negative is Greek (unlike English) exponentially strengthens the impossibility being presented!
He had just as well penned: *If you live in unbroken, abiding awareness of the Holy Spirit, constantly yielding to Him … “ye shall NOT, NEVER, NO EXCEPTIONS, 100% GUARANTEED, ETC. … fulfil the lust of the flesh!”
No doubt … the Holy Spirit overcomes the flesh!
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you (the Holy Spirit), than he that is in the world.” 1st John 4:4
Wow!
The noun “lust” is “epithumia,” so strong a word that “passion,” or ” craving,” or maybe even “concupiscence” would explain (amplify) the it. So avidly hungering to do “what feels good” that you even lose your concern for what anyone thinks of your “over-the-top,” or “out-of-bounds” behavior!
Wow!
Yes, this is the secret, no doubt.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
I’d love some time to do a New-Testament-Wide analysis (list) of the many things we Believers can do “in the Spirit!” In fact, that list could constitute a whole Bible Study Lesson! And just might do so one day soon!