Galatians 5 (6)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 1.1, 2
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

Sing Psalm 1.1, 2
(Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Blessed the one who walks not in the counsel of ungodly men;
stands not in the path of sinners, joins not scorners in their sin.
But his joy is in the LORD’s law, and he meditates therein.

Read Galatians 5.1-26; meditate on verses 22-26.

Preparation
1. If we live in the Spirit, what should we expect?

2. What should we do?

Meditation
The Spirit of God brings forth this desirable fruit in our lives, with increasing consistency and abundance. This is the evidence that Christ lives in us, which the Spirit brings forth by His power, making us willing and able to obey that which is pleasing to God (Phil. 2.13).

How does He do that?

The Holy Spirit writes the Law of God on our new heart (Ezek. 36.26, 27). Thus, He renews our understanding and affections Godward, and for righteousness. He opens the Word to us and shows us Jesus, as in a mirror. As we gaze into the glory of Jesus’ face (2 Cor. 4.6), the Spirit uses the Law and all the Word of God to transform us into the likeness of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3.12-18). That likeness appears in the fruit of the Spirit, manifested in our lives in all we do.

At the same time, the Spirit changes our thoughts, desires, and values so that we suppress and reject “the flesh with its passions and desires” (v. 24). We cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit unless we are filled with Him and walk with Him (v. 25), staying on the Jesus Path and refusing to be drawn aside to fleshly snares.

There is no law against the fruit of the Spirit (v. 23) because, in fact, all the Law of God encourages and promotes such fruit. Bearing this fruit and crucifying fleshly desires will keep us from becoming “conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (v. 26). On the contrary, it will move us to encourage and edify one another, to seek the wellbeing of others, and to position ourselves as their servants for Jesus’ sake.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
If we live in America, we are expected to follow the laws of the land. The same for any country one resides in.
If we work at a particular job, we are expected to follow the by-laws for that particular business.
If we drive a car, we must follow the rules of the road lest there be disasters.
We all experience the benefits that come with country, work, and transportation; therefore, we adhere to the accompanying laws.
Thus, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5.25).

Walking in the Spirit has its own set of guidelines—the benefits of which shower the doer and the recipients.
Who does not benefit from these traits? Obviously, there is no law against: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—qualities that bless individuals and multitudes.

But then Paul, in his pervasive wisdom, throws in the caveat of what not to do, be, or think. Don’t be conceited, don’t be provoking, and do not envy.

In other words, the strength to pull off this good behavior is a gift from God, the work of the Holy Spirit; so, don’t be conceited, or break your arm patting yourself on the back, if this goodness begins to exude from you.

Also, righteousness, if not done humbly, can be really provoking. So don’t go there either.

And lastly, if a Christian brother or sister happens to be both righteous and humble, and actually lives and walks in the Spirit, don’t envy them (Gal. 5.26). Maybe try imitating them instead (1 Cor. 11.1).

“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments…
You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes” (Ps. 119.66, 68).
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous” (Ps. 112.4).
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11.30).
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (Jms. 2.26).

“In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity;
and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil” (Prov. 16.6).
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5.24).

The benefits of living in the Spirit require the fruit borne of walking in the Spirit.

Reflection
1. Live, walk, be filled. Explain each of these terms with respect to your life in the Spirit of God.

2. Which of the fruit of the Spirit would you like to see more consistently present in your life? Make this a matter of ongoing prayer.

3. How can believers help one another to walk in the Spirit and not in the lusts of the flesh?

The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavor of all real Christians. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Galatians 5.22-26

Pray Psalm 1.3-6.
Pray that God will bring forth the fruit of His Spirt in you today, making you an agent of His grace for His glory and praise (2 Cor. 4.15).

Sing Psalm 1.3-6.
(Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
He shall flourish like a tree transplanted by the streams of grace;
rooted near life-giving waters, growing strong in this blessed place—
ever fruitful, never with’ring, prospering before God’s face.

Not so rooted are the wicked, like chaff blowing in the wind.
They shall not stand with the righteous but shall be judged in their sin.
For the LORD knows all the righteous, but the wicked’s ways shall end.

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

To learn more about the salvation into which we have been delivered, order the book, Such a Great Salvation, by clicking here. Or order a free copy in PDF by clicking here.

Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.