This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18
I remember talking to Dr. Lee Roberson a number of years ago before a meeting where we were both speaking. He was a great example, as a faithful pastor for decades and a powerful preacher whose ministry reached all around the world. I asked him to share some keys to his ministry with me. I’ll never forget his simple answer. “You must learn to die to self and you must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the key to living the Christian life.”
Sometimes we approach life from a standpoint of what we have to do or stop doing. But while it is always important to do what is right and avoid what is wrong, the key is not found in our determination or character or commitment. The key is the power of God being able to work freely in our lives. We can be filled with ourselves and with the things of the world. Or we can be filled with the Holy Spirit of God. There is not room for both. The more yielded and submitted to Him we are, the more closely we will walk in His footsteps.
The Holy Spirit is always going to lead us away from sin. If we are following Him, we will not be going to the world for fulfillment or satisfaction. When we attempt to straddle the fence and follow both God and the world at the same time, we end up crippled and ineffective. “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21).
