But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16

By The Spirit – We are at war, not just with a post-modern, godless culture, but with ourselves.  That’s what makes it so difficult.   It’s hard enough to face the fame and fortune monster that wants to make everyone an addict to self-indulgence, but it’s all the more difficult when we realize that we have an enemy within.  Our own flesh wages war against us.  Now, what do we do? 

Paul tells us that the answer is to walk by (or in) the Spirit.  We recognize the Hebrew idiom “walk.”  It means to conduct yourself according to a particular way of living.  For Paul, this is following the guidebook of Torah.  But that doesn’t mean we blindly carry out the rules and regulations.  Torah obedience requires walking in the Spirit.  In fact, this is so important that Paul puts it first in the Greek text (de pneumatic peripateite – “in Spirit walk”). 

Paul does not say that the opposite of being guided by the Spirit is fulfilling the desires of the sinful nature.  He simply uses the Greek word sarx.  In fact, the phrase is epithumian sarkos (lust or passion of flesh).  In Hebrew, this is listening to and obeying the yetser ha’ra – the evil inclination.  That evil inclination is built into every one of us.  It is the power, passion and energy that makes us truly human when it is submitted to the domestication of God.  Under the guidance of the Spirit, with the reins of the Messiah, all this human energy becomes a mighty source for creative partnership with the Lord.  But without domestication, epithumia (lust) oversteps the divine boundaries and pushes the fence beyond the Tree.  It brings death.  All of Paul’s advice about making no provision for the flesh, being obedient to the Spirit and working out salvation with fear and trembling pushes us to see just how powerful this inner enemy really is.  But this enemy can be turned into the greatest ally we could ever have.  That is the goal. 

How do I make this monster within me into a cooperative colleague?  It doesn’t take meditation, incantation or invitation.  It takes walking.  Just start taking the steps of obedience.  Find that place where you are out of alignment with God’s instruction book and correct it.  Maybe it’s as simple as keeping Sabbath, or changing diet, or saving money for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  Maybe it’s just helping someone in trouble or blessing your children or saying the Shema.  Walking by the Spirit is not some deep, secret mystery reserved for angels and mystics.  With open heart, each of us just start following God’s directions.  And life begins to change.

No excuses, please.  No rationalizations, alterations or exceptions.  Walking is a way of life.  It is practice, practice, practice.  We all make mistakes.  So what?  Keep going and you will find that the Spirit has been prodding you all along.  Passion becomes your partner in the practice of godly perfection.

Topical Index:  de pneumatic, by the Spirit, walk, Torah-obedience, sarx, Galatians 5:16