Live by the Spirit

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires isopposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are notsubject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger,quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do suchthings will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passionsand desires. Galatians 5:16-24 (NRSV)

Walking with the Holy Spirit is God's answer to legalism. If we try to walk in the Spirit by our own human efforts, we will fail. Our only way to freedom from wrong desires is through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We are empowered when we are: filled with the Holy Spirit, ask God to give us the strength and power to obey him, obey the promptings of the Spirit. This is also considered abiding in the Spirit.

I heard a beautiful story once of a couple who were dating. For the first date, the guy took his date to a dance not realizing that she didn't know how to dance. He assured her that she would be safe in his arms if she just followed his lead. She said that when she looked at his feet and tried to match what he was doing, she always fumbled. But when she looked into his eyes and not worried about all the little steps, they danced beautifully.

When we stare at the little details of how to "dance" with the Spirit [ie how to dress, how to pray, how to do what so and so does, and so on], we are miserable. But when we just concentrate on Him [through prayer, bible reading, learning to recognize his voice, meditation on God and then do what he tells us to do by the grace that he gives us], we can "dance" joyfully with the Spirit. Others will see this "dance" as they see more of the fruits of the Spirit in our lives [love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control]. This will lead others to Christ vs. legalism which repels people from Christ [and probably you].