Monthly Archives: April 2024

Bible, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Submission, Walking

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

GALATIANS 5:16

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Walking the right way is important. When our feet are messed up, that makes it difficult. If we walk improperly, it can throw our whole gait off and affect our back. If our back is bothering us, that can affect our neck and head. And it all began with our feet not being healthy. As one who suffers from bad feet due to neuropathy, I can relate to this combination effect on my body.

Following up from his previous statement in verse 15, Paul makes a simple, yet profound truth. That little word “but” means a contrast from the previous statement is coming. Paul is about to get into a major contrast between flesh and Spirit in verses 19-23 of this chapter. Hang on to your hat. But here, he simply says to walk by the Spirit. Actually, the Greek says, “Spirit walk.” And the verb “walk” is in the present imperative, which means it’s a command to keep walking.

APPLICATION

What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? That sounds awfully churchy, doesn’t it? It really isn’t that complicated. I like what Albert Barnes says about this verse, “the only way to overcome the corrupt desires and propensities of our nature, is by submitting to the influences of the Holy Spirit. It is not by philosophy; it is not by mere resolutions to resist them; it is not by the force of education and laws; it is only by admitting into our souls the influence of religion and yielding ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. If we live under the influences of that Spirit, we need not fear the power of the sensual and corrupt propensities of our nature.”

I read somewhere else that “If the spirit that is in us can be at ease under sin, it is not a spirit that comes from the Holy Spirit.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary) The two cannot co-exist. There is not enough room for both to work in your life. You are either in the flesh or in the Spirit. Look what Paul says in Romans 6:8, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”

So, let me ask you – how are you walking today? Are you walking to please that old fleshly heart of yours, trampling underfoot anyone who gets in your way? Or are you submitting your will to His will and letting the Holy Spirit guide you? He will never, ever lead you astray. Every step you take under the influence of Jesus is one step closer to God. Trust that!

O Father, help me walk by the Spirit and not my flesh this day and every day.

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Backbiting, Battles, Bible, Consequences, Destruction, Devour, Enemies, Gospel, Scripture

BACKBITING

GALATIANS 5:15

“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”

We have all probably experienced the painful results of backbiting. Backbiting is defined as “malicious talk about someone who is not present.” If that has been done to you, you know the distrust it can bring. I pray you are not the one that has been doing it. It is never edifying and always destructive.

That’s where we find Paul today – addressing the issue of backbiting (or at least the possibility of it) among the Galatians. Paul uses some pretty descriptive words in this verse. In the application below I want to look at three words – bite, devour and consume. He paints a picture that no Christian should want to be a part of.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “bite” is not used in reference to animals biting. It is only used once, right here in the New Testament. It literally means to harm seriously, to backbite, to bite. It is not a little nibble. It is an intentional, meant-to-harm bite. This kind of bite leaves a mark, a wound. If you have experienced this, you know what I mean.

Secondly, Paul uses the Greek word translated “devour.” This word means to “eat all the way down (figuratively) utterly devour, leaving nothing; ferociously consume all the way down,” In Matthew 23:14, Jesus says, “‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses even while for appearances’ sake you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.’” The one doing the devouring intends to completely destroy the other person.

Finally, we see the word “consume.” It is only used twice in the New Testament. Here and in Luke 9:54, which interestingly enough is when James and John asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume a village. They were upset about being rebuffed by them and wanted them wiped out. Oftentimes, the one doing the backbiting is motivated out of hurt they feel towards the other person.

So, what do these three words teach us about the perils of backbiting? It is never constructive, but always destructive. It brings harm to the one doing the backbiting as well as the one being talked about. It has no place in the family of God and will do nothing to help spread the message of the Gospel. If you are a victim of this, forgive. If you are the perpetrator, stop. It’s that simple.

Father, let us love in word and deed. Let us show others the love of Jesus every day.

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Bible, Blessing, Love, Neighbors, Obedience, Scripture

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

GALATIANS 5:14

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

We are told throughout Scripture to love our neighbors. I have been fortunate to have neighbors who were easy to love. There have been a couple who were harder to love than others, but I still loved them. I have heard horror stories about neighbors, though. Some neighbors don’t want to be loved and resent the fact that you would even say that. Let’s take a look at this commandment and see what the Lord meant by this.

In today’s verse, Paul quotes from Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” The ten commandments are divided into two parts – commands regarding our relationship to God (#’s 1-4) and commands regarding our relationship to others (#’s 5-10). Being a former Pharisee, Paul was well acquainted with the law. But now he sees the merits of the law in a whole new light. Before, without Christ, he saw the impossibility of this command to love your neighbor. But in Christ, all things are possible.

APPLICATION

Paul expanded his thoughts on this subject in Romans 13:8-10. “8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

And we can’t forget the words of our Savior in Matthew 19:19. “‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” And over in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus explains to the Pharisee, “37 And He said 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 great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

So, between Paul’s words and the words of Christ, we should have no questions about if we should love our neighbors. Love them because Jesus loves them. Love them because they need the love of Christ in their lives. Love them because through loving them, you will be blessed. Love someone today.

O Lord, loving isn’t easy, but through You it is possible.

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Bible, Freedom, Gifts, Grace, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Service

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

GALATIANS 5:13

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”

Ministry is all about service. Sometimes that can be a problem, especially when someone takes advantage of it. Having served on several church staffs over my 45 years of ministry, I have encountered a few people who felt like the church staff were their personal errand boys and girls. It would be easy to get into the flesh and get angry and frustrated. It takes humility to serve someone like that.

Paul, once again, emphasizes the Galatians’ freedom in Christ in today’s verse. They were not enslaved any longer to sin, nor were they enslaved to the Mosaic law full of rituals and traditions. However, they were not free to do as they pleased. He says instead to “serve one another through love.” Why do you think he said that? Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to tell them to use their freedom to serve?

APPLICATION

Peter says a similar thing in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” Ahhh! Now, Paul’s words make more sense. Now, hang on as I lay this out.

When we come to Christ, we are free from all those things I mentioned earlier, but we are also given the gifts of the Spirit. As we use these gifts in the body of Christ (as they are intended), as we serve one another, we think less of ourselves and more of others. When we do that, we are much less likely to use this freedom to indulge our flesh. Our minds are not on pleasing ourselves. It is on pleasing the Father by serving His body.

Paul gives another warning about this freedom the Galatians now had in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 he writes, “But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” If we are serving one another, the last thing we want to do is be a stumbling block. We want to build them up in Christ. Go be a servant today!

Lord, help me take my eyes off of me and look for ways to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Admonished, Battles, Bible, Circumcision, Enemies, Grace, Law, Obedience, Scripture

NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS

GALATIANS 5:12

“I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.”

There are times when we are dealing with difficult people that we wish they could see themselves as we see them. We wish they could feel the hurt they are inflicting on us or others. I am not saying that is a right or godly thought. I am just speaking the truth. Most of us have felt that way before. If they could just get a dose of their own medicine. Am I right?

Well, I can’t say that I can read the mind of Paul, but it almost seems he is feeling this way in today’s verse towards those people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law, especially the law of circumcision. Scholars debate the meaning of this verse widely. Some say it says just what you think it says, that Paul wishes those people would castrate themselves. In other words, that they would go beyond circumcision and mutilate themselves. Other scholars say the Greek words here imply that he wishes they would separate themselves from the church and go their own way. Whatever Paul meant, he wanted these Judaizers out of the life of these Galatians because they were causing trouble.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our life. Thanks for the challenge, lol. In Book 4 of the Every Man A Warrior curriculum, we deal with Purity. In fact, book 4 is entitled Every Man A Pure Warrior. One of the skills we practice in that book is amputation. Yep, amputation. We teach men to cut off those things in their life that are leading them in an impure lifestyle. That may include cutting people out of your life who lead you astray. I like what Paul says in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Even in Philippi Paul was dealing with these people who wanted to put others up under this false teaching.

Anyone who wants to put you under the law needs to be held at arm’s length. Do not let them influence you in your spiritual journey. Remember, Paul has been preaching freedom through this entire letter to the Galatians. Don’t think those people only lived back then. We have people just like that today who are members of our churches. They have their own list of do’s and don’ts for you to adhere to.

So, what do you do? How do you live in such an environment. You saturate yourself with the Word of God. You let it direct you. All we need is Jesus. He gives us everything we need. You need not add one thing to what He requires – acceptance of His grace. Amen? Now go live free!

Lord, forgive me when I put things on myself that I think make me more spiritual. All I need is You.  

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Battles, Bible, Protection, Safety, Scripture, Stumbling

STUMBLING BLOCKS

GALATIANS 5:11

“But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.”

I have been having trouble the past few years since I developed neuropathy in my feet. I stumble easily. I have to watch where I step and how fast I walk. The problem is really my toes. They are pretty much numb all the time. It’s hard to balance and not trip when you can’t feel your toes. So, just about any rock or stick that protrudes from the grown can literally be my downfall.

The Greek word for “stumbling block” used in today’s verse by Paul means “the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim)” (HELPS Word-studies). The word is used 15 times in the New Testament in various ways. Let me encourage you to do a word study on the word. The reason Paul uses the word here is to show the Galatians the futility of trying to keep the law. There were those among them who insisted that circumcision be done for all male believers. Paul says emphatically that he did not preach circumcision (no matter what anyone might say) for if he had, there would have been no issue with the Jews and the cross.

APPLICATION

We all have to deal with stumbling blocks in our life, don’t we? Jesus even did. In Matthew 16:22-23, in fact, he calls Peter one. “22 And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!’ 23 But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.’” Peter was an obstacle for Jesus here. There is no room for stumbling blocks in our lives.

John uses the word in 1 John 2:10. “The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling.” That makes sense, doesn’t it? If you are walking in the light, you are less likely to stumble on something. When we walk in the light of Jesus, those things that try to trip us up are exposed and we can avoid them. Are you walking in the light?

I pray you are not being that stumbling block like Peter was in Matthew 16. We can be you know. We can do or say things that can cause someone to stumble. Don’t do that. Keep your path straight. Keep it free of debris. Don’t let yourself get caught up in something that could cause someone else to fall. Remember, walk in the light!

O Lord, keep me from stumbling or from being a stumbling block.

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Attitude, Bible, Brain, Devil, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Remembering, Scripture

NO OTHER VIEW

GALATIANS 5:10

“I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.”

Our brains are amazing things. My wife and I have been watching a television series where they quite often perform brain surgery. It is amazing how the brain works but how quickly it can be affected by the smallest of tumors or brain bleeds. Those can cause us to start having strange behaviors or bodily functions. It doesn’t take anything large to cause a large change.

The Greek word that is translated into the phrase “will adopt no other view” is a difficult word to put completely in the English. It has the idea of an inner perspective showing itself in outward behavior. But that doesn’t even quite get the meaning from the Greek. Paul was directed to use this word by the Holy Spirit for a reason. Perhaps the idea of using a word that was hard to understand tells us something. Other ideas can confuse us. We have to be on guard against any of those, no matter how small they may seem.

APPLICATION

Jesus uses this same word in Matthew 16:23 when He rebukes Peter. “But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.’” Peter allowed another thought to enter his mind that was not from God.

We see it used again by Paul in Romans 8:5. “For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Then Paul uses it again in Philippians 2:2. “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

We cannot let any other thought enter our minds, our brains that does not belong to God. We know the evil one wants to corrupt our minds, to get our thoughts off of Jesus. He is the one who “is disturbing you” today. Don’t think for a minute that you are free from his attacks. Keep your focus on Jesus. Listen closely to His voice. Then do what He says.

Father, I want to keep only Your thoughts in my mind. Help me hear You clearly.

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Belief, Bible, Bread, Corruption, Law, Leaven, Scripture, Sin

A LITTLE LEAVEN

GALATIANS 5:9

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.”

Anyone who has been around baking knows the effects of leaven. Leaven “is a broad term that encompasses any agent used to make dough rise or create a similar effect on baked goods.” It doesn’t take much to get the action started. And it takes a little time to see the effects. That’s why bread is rolled, kneaded and then usually put in a pan, covered and set aside for the leaven to work.

Paul, using this well well-known proverb, is warning the Galatians that it doesn’t take much to corrupt. Being a former Pharisee, Paul knew the laws about leaven. He had probably instructed people on how to rid their homes of leaven during the season of Passover. Every little speck of leaven had to be removed to cleanse the home. In the same way, every little thing that diverted them from living the grace life had the ability to grow and become a bigger obstacle.

APPLICATION

In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul writes, “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let’s celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Can you see the symbolism in that passage? This is what Paul is talking about in Galatians 5:9.

Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 16:5-12 something about this. He warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees. Verse 5-6 read, “5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” In verse 12 we see His meaning. “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

You see, anything that takes our eyes off of loving and serving Jesus can be considered leaven, a force to corrupt. We do not need any rule or law to be secure in Christ. We just have to place our trust in Him and Him alone. If anyone tries to add anything to this, it is leaven. And a little leaven will corrupt the whole loaf. Don’t forget that.

Father, help me to keep the leaven of life out of my spiritual journey.

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Belief, Bible, Calling, Direction, God's Will, Hearing, Listening, Messages, Persuasion, Scripture

WHO’S CALLING?

GALATIANS 5:8

“This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.”

Have you ever been tricked by someone on a phone call? I used to occasionally call the office secretary when I was on a road trip and disguise my voice. I would pretend to be a donor who wanted to donate some wild and outlandish thing (which actually happened more times than you can imagine) just to make her squirm a little and figure out how to answer this person. Of course, towards the end of the call she would recognize it was me and threaten me bodily harm when I returned. Lol

Paul is warning the Galatians and us in today’s verse to be careful who you answer to, to make sure you know who is actually calling you. The Greek word for “persuasion” is only used here in Galatians 5:8. It refers to a self-produced persuasion. In other words, they decided themselves to believe this caller. It was not God who was calling them to keep the Mosaic law and deny their freedom in Christ.

APPLICATION

Matthew Poole’s Commentary says this about “Him who calls you,” “is not from God, who hath called you out of darkness into marvellous light, unto fellowship with himself, into a state of grace and favour with him, and to the hopes of eternal life; and who yet calleth you by his gospel: it must therefore be from the devil and his instruments, who go about to seduce and pervert you.”

Think about Poole’s words for a second. It is God who has called you out of darkness into marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), into fellowship with Himself (1 John 1:3), into grace and favor (1 Peter 2:20, and to the hopes of eternal life (1 Peter 5:10). It seems Poole liked 1 Peter, didn’t he? It is God who calls us to these things. He isn’t adding on to His requirements.

The next time you hear a voice directing you to do something, make sure it is the voice of God and not His arch enemy attempting to disguise his voice and imitate God. Remember, the devil will never ask you to do anything that will glorify the Father or the Son. It will only be about you, what will make you happy. Listen closely. Learn to recognize His voice.

Father, it is sweet to hear Your voice and recognize that You love me beyond words or deeds.

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Abiding, Battles, Bible, Hindrances, Race, Running

HINDRANCES

GALATIANS 5:7

“You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?”

We have all probably witnessed a race where one runner cuts off another runner intentionally knocking them off their course. It’s usually done when no officials are watching. This can really rattle a runner. It can cause a serious injury. You have to be aware of your surroundings and stay focused on the race. Otherwise, you are subject to all kinds of hindrances.

Paul uses a running analogy in today’s verse. He actually says, “You were running well;…” That verb “running” is the Greek word used to describe a race. Then Paul uses the Greek word egkopto which is translated “hindered.” Souter defines this as “introducing an obstacle that stands sharply in the way of a moving object.” Someone was trying to knock the Galatians off course. They didn’t want them on this journey with Christ. Hmmm, who could that have been?

APPLICATION

I know there were actual people involved in this “hindering” of the Galatians. But who was actually behind this? Who stirred them on to cause confusion in the Galatian churches? It was none other than the devil himself. He can’t “unsave” you, but he will do everything he can to take you out of the race. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, keep alert, your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” He’s real, and he’s prowling.

In a passage about forgiveness in 2 Corinthians 2, Paul ends in verse 11 with this, “so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” If you don’t think Satan isn’t scheming ways to take you out, you are dead wrong. He is looking for ways to knock you off course, to be that hindrance.

Unfortunately, we give Satan way too many opportunities by our own actions. Then we blame him when we mess up. Not true. Satan can’t make you do one thing. He will give you temptations and opportunities, but it is your decision whether to accept that nudge. Don’t go there. I love Joshua 1:9. As Joshua was preparing to take over after Moses’ death, the Lord spoke to him and said, “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.;” He is with you today, as well. Be strong. Take courage.

Lord, I will not allow the evil one to knock me off course. I will high jump those hindrances he puts in my path with Your strength and power.

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