Live By The Spirit; Be Formed By The Spirit

 
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.” Galatians 5:25-26 NET

These verses from Galatians serve as a guiding principle for our spiritual growth and living in accordance with the Holy Spirit.

Living in the Spirit is not just a duty but a joyous journey. It's about aligning our behavior with the Spirit’s direction, which then becomes a reflection of His tender guidance. We are immersed in what the Spirit desires, transcending our own wants. The beauty of this journey lies in the fact that the Spirit dwells within us, and our desires gradually align with His over time.

The love of God has a profound, transformative effect on us, shaping us into true reflections of His image. We become imagers of our King, and He offers us hope and encouragement in our spiritual journey, filling us with a sense of optimism and strength.

Living by the Spirit is easy and challenging at the same time. That may sound counterintuitive, but I assure you it isn’t; it is a moment-by-moment experience. It is easy because all that is required to respond and obey the Spirit’s call to us; on the other hand, the more challenging part is the willingness to put to death all that is contrary to the Spirit and stands in our way of thinking and putting our confidence in Jesus for His purposes in our lives or the lives of others.

Our Christian behaviors are not easily formed, if we were not raised in a Christian home; some behaviors can be a source of incredible frustration, but when the Love of Jesus penetrates our old habits and behaviors, Jesus can reform our responses, helping us to walk with the Holy Spirit. Even being raised in a Christian home can lead to a misinterpretation of God’s grace, and Great harm may result. Whatever the cause, source, or factor of our dysfunction, we are all called to forgive others who have harmed us, not to give into the dysfunctional behavior or person who hurt us the permission or credence to continue with their harmful behaviors or even to admit that their behavior was okay, not letting their dysfunction control the future destiny of our lives, and allow our freedom in the Spirit to grow and become fully formed in Christ.

The scripture mentions not being overcome by conceit, jealousy, provoking each other to anger, or anything contrary to the love of Christ. This also includes passive-aggressive anger, which is common among many today. Living in the Spirit enables us to hear the Lord speaking to us regarding His desires and passion for us and for others. It is always about Jesus and how He loves through us, not about what feelings or emotions we can muster through our flesh to put on a good face.

Another translation renders the passage, “If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Being intentional with the Holy Spirit is not just important; it is essential if one desires to be deeply formed by Christ’s character. This commitment to an intentional relationship with Jesus is a sign of dedication to be continually healed and brought to a place of wholeness both spiritually and emotionally as Christ's followers.

What does it mean to live in the Spirit? There are many interpretations of what that means and what it looks like. Some believe it is speaking in tongues, while others may believe it is deeply studying God’s word. In contrast, others from different belief styles believe it is going to confession or Mass more often or praying the rosary. None of these practices are wrong, but one thing not mentioned is an abiding relationship with Jesus, which the Spirit is indeed directing. Through that abiding relationship, we begin the process of being captured by the love of God every day.

I have met many men and women of God who have spent a lifetime building a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus, and it isn’t just about studying the Bible; it may be a part of their daily routine, but it is not the only thing. They spend much time in prayer just talking to the Father, desiring to know Him more fully. Apart from petitions in prayer, they also listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to them. They also spend time reading books from Christian authors or speaking to other men and women of God who are on the same journey of listening and hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying to them. Collectively, we are the body of Christ, and each person is a portion of the whole, gathered as a part in making the body of Christ more complete. That is what it means to stay in step with the Holy Spirit.

As I write this blog post, I am visiting my family in Florida. I am dealing with jet lag and a head cold, but despite these distractions, it has been some of the most rewarding times I have had with Jesus lately. The early mornings have been so precious, just being in God’s presence, Jesus having me pray for different people, including family, and receiving visions of what He wants to do and praying into that vision. All this comes from Christian growth, knowing that however I feel does not dictate my circumstances. I love spending time with my family and sharing the holidays with them, but I must always keep in mind the higher purpose of my visit, which is to pray for and bless my family in ways that speak the love of God in real and tangible ways that they may become formed in Christ too.

Stephen Barnett