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A person may not be able to tell the
exact time or place, or trace all the chain of events in the process
of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted.
Christ said to Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you
hear the sound of it, but cannot not tell where it comes and where
it goes: so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 Like
the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly
seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human
heart.
If the heart has been renewed by the
Spirit of God, the life will bear witness to the fact. We cannot do
anything to change our hearts or to bring ourselves into harmony
with God. We will reveal in our lives whether the grace of God is
dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the
habits, and desires. The contrast will be clear and decided between
what we have been and what we are.
Those who become new creatures in
Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, "love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion
themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the
Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and
purify themselves even as He is pure. This study will open to us
the experience of ‘walking in the Spirit.’
1. How do we not fulfill the lust of
the flesh?
Galatians 5:16
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Note:
Genuine faith is followed by love, and love by obedience. All the
powers and passions of the converted man are brought under the
control of Christ. His Spirit is a renewing power, transforming to
the divine image all who will receive it. The lusts of the flesh
are no longer desirable, for your life is now ‘hidden with Christ in
God.’ Colossians 3:3
2. What happens to your lifestyle
when you walk in the Spirit?
Galatians 5:22-25
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Note:
Notice that when Paul talks about the flesh in Galatians 5:19 he
uses the phrase “works of the flesh” because that is all that man
can do. In verse 22 he uses the word “fruit,” because it is the
Holy Spirit that produces fruit; we simply bear the fruit.
3. What blessing does a Christian
experience in Christ?
Romans 8:1
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Note:
The reason that there is no condemnation for the Christian who has
accepted the truth as it is in Christ Jesus is because on the cross
Christ condemned the law of sin that is in the flesh (read verses 2
and 3).
4. What is fulfilled in those who
walk according to the Spirit?
Romans 8:4
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Note:
In Christ alone will the sinner find release from the curse of the
law, for in Christ the righteousness of the law is fulfilled, and by
Him it is fulfilled in us. Romans 8:4. The law will allow nobody
to be saved unless he has "the righteousness which is of God by
faith," the faith of Jesus Christ.
5. What part of the body does the
flesh or the Spirit control?
Romans 8:5
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Note:
The mind is the battle ground in the Christian warfare. The
question is, “What is your mind occupied with?” Those who are
walking in the flesh are always thinking about pleasing the desires
of their sinful nature. When you walk in the Spirit, you want to
please Christ. This is the battle of the mind from which you cannot
relax. The key for victory is the continual receiving of Christ
into the heart.
6. What is the result of being
carnally minded? What is the result of being spiritually minded?
Romans 8:6 (first part)
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Romans 8:6 (second part)
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Note:
The word “carnal” means controlled by the sinful desires of the
flesh, your sinful nature. The flesh can only bring death to you,
not life, because all that the flesh can produce is sin and “the
wages of sin is death” (see Romans 6:23).
7. Why is the carnal mind, the mind
controlled by the flesh, hostile to God?
Romans 8:7
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Note:
When the
mind is not under the direct influence of the Spirit of God, Satan
can mold it as he chooses. All the rational powers which he
controls he will turn to sin and death. He is directly opposed to
God in his tastes, views, preferences, likes and dislikes, choice of
things and pursuits; there is no appreciation for what God loves or
approves, but a delight in those things which He despises; therefore
a course is maintained which is offensive to God.
8. What is the result of being
controlled by the fleshly mind?
Romans 8:8
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Note:
Those
controlled by the fleshly mind cannot please God. In Hebrews 11:3
it says that ‘without faith it is impossible to please Him.’ So
this concludes that those controlled by the fleshly mind are without
faith and if we are without faith we are without God; but when we
receive Jesus into our lives we have His faith and with His faith
all things are possible.
9. Who should the Christian allow to
control his or her mind?
Romans 8:9
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Note:
By obeying the gospel you have said in your heart, “Not I, but
Christ.” You have chosen not the flesh but the Spirit to control
your life.
10.
What is brought into captivity for those
who are in Christ?
2 Corinthians 10: 4, 5
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Note:
God wishes us to
have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our
consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the
powers and senses given to man. Of ourselves, we are not able to
bring the purposes and desires into harmony with the will of God;
but if we are "willing to be made willing," the Savior will
accomplish this for us, "Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2
Corinthians 10:5.
11. If Christ’s Spirit is dwelling in
you, how should you consider your body?
Romans 8:10
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Note:
Can a man who has died, live? "Certainly not, then how shall we who
died to sin live any longer in it?" Rom.6:2. "Knowing this, that
our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be
done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."
Rom.6:6. The hearts that are open to receive the life of Christ
will walk in a holier atmosphere than that of earth and will have
constant communion with heaven.
12. How do we walk in Christ?
Colossians 2:6
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Note:
This means that you
are to study the life of Christ. You are to study it with as much
more earnestness than you study secular lines of knowledge, as
eternal interests are more important than temporal, earthly
pursuits. If you appreciate the value and sacredness of eternal
things, you will bring your sharpest thoughts, your best energies,
to the solving of the problem that involves your eternal well-being;
for every other interest sinks into nothingness in comparison with
that. |
