Pastor Jeff Dye continues the series through Galatians with a message from Galatians 5:13–26, exploring what it means to truly walk by the Spirit. While Jesus Christ has set believers free from trying to earn salvation through works, Christian freedom is not permission to live however we want. Instead, it is the freedom to become who God created us to be.
Paul describes an ongoing spiritual battle between the flesh and the Holy Spirit, prompting an important question: Who is winning the war for the direction of my life? The desires of the flesh pull us toward sin, selfishness, anger, division, jealousy, impurity, and other destructive patterns, while the Holy Spirit leads believers toward the character of Christ.
Rather than focusing solely on changing our behavior or trying harder to eliminate sin, Scripture calls us to walk by the Spirit. As Pastor Jeff explains, “Don’t focus on what you’re trying to stop. Focus on who you’re learning to follow.” Spiritual transformation comes through remaining connected to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.
As we abide in Christ, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not simply behaviors Christians manufacture through willpower; they are the fruit of a life increasingly surrendered to and shaped by the Holy Spirit.
Walking by the Spirit happens through everyday acts of obedience—choosing to forgive, apologizing when we are wrong, resisting temptation, spending time in Scripture, serving others, being generous, and responding when God prompts us to act. Most Spirit-filled living happens in ordinary moments of Spirit-prompted obedience.
Ultimately, the Christian life is not about behavior modification but spiritual transformation. As believers continually surrender to Christ and keep in step with the Holy Spirit, God forms the character of Jesus within them. Pastor Jeff challenges every believer to consider one practical question: What is my next step of obedience?