God wants you to live in freedom in every area of your life. But you need help: the help of the Holy Spirit. The greatest declaration of freedom comes from the writings of the apostle Paul, in the book of Galatians 5:1 which states: ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ 

The book of Galatians, which has often been described as the Magna Carta of Christianity, proclaims that all true freedom is rooted in Jesus Christ, through following His teachings and by knowing Him. That freedom, which begins with us experiencing personal spiritual freedom, leads to many other freedoms in life and in society. But it is within the church, the Christian family, that the battles of freedom must first be won. To set others free, we ourselves must first be free. We can only share what we have experienced. 

In the first four chapters of this book the apostle Paul highlights a major killer of freedom, namely so-called religious Christianity or legalism. In the early church there were powerful religious groups who insisted on following Jewish traditions and practices like circumcision. Paul however even more strongly insisted that all true faith is based on Christ alone. Only though Christ’s death and resurrection we can be forgiven for all our sins and freed to live a new life as sons and daughters of God, rather than as slaves. That’s God’s plan and vision for every Christian. But how do we live in the freedom that Christ has provided for us? How can we avoid the big trap of always trying to live right through our own actions and strength? The answer is that we need to recognise our need for the help of the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can help you live in freedom. 

Galatians 5 continually emphasises the importance of living in the Spirit, because no Christian and no church can live in freedom without the Holy Spirit. The church is a spiritual entity. The church is engaged in spiritual battle. Every Christian and every church must therefore be filled with the spirit. Everything that will be achieved will be achieved through the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). Human gifting, logical thinking, natural resources and religious traditions will accomplish nothing without the Spirit. On the other hand, we may feel weak and lacking in many areas, but with the Spirit we can accomplish great things. That’s why the apostle Paul says we must ‘live by the Spirit.” In this chapter we see some big lessons about the importance of the Holy Spirit. 

1. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you overcome sin (Galatians 5:16-21)  

2. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you become more Christlike (Galatians 5:22-24 NIV & AMP)  

3. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you keep in step with the direction of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25-26). 

Apply  

1. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you overcome sin (Galatians 5:16-21). We are called to live by the Spirit turning your back on a lifestyle that is contrary to a lifestyle of the Spirit. Martin Luther spoke of a three-fold battle in the Christian life. The Christian is locked in mortal combat with the world, the flesh and the devil. The Apostle Paul makes clear the total contrast between living life by the Spirit of God or one according to the sinful nature. He clearly outlines the ugly works of the flesh. Uncontrolled sexual and physical appetites: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, drunkenness, orgies and the like; Uncontrolled ambitions: selfish ambition, jealousy, envy, factions; Uncontrolled temper: hatred, discord, fits of rage, dissension; Uncontrolled spiritual rebellion: idolatry and witchcraft. Remember when Paul writes about these sins, he is writing to a Christian church and telling them that they can’t have sexual sin in their lives, they can’t have hate and anger in their lives, they can’t be rebellious, and they can’t be doing the work of the Devil. Someone may claim to be a Christian or a good religious individual. They may have been on the church board or sung in the church choir but in reality, the person who continually practices these sins will not inherit the kingdom of God. The Bible could not be clearer on this. You cannot and must not live in contradiction to the Word of God.  

2. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you become more Christlike (Galatians 5:22-24 NIV & AMP). When the Apostle Paul says, ‘live by the Spirit,’ He is outlining an alternative way to live. The Christian disciple, and the Christian leader, is to live a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. If we want to live free as children of God, we need to have the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It’s not enough to say we are Christians; the fruit of the Spirit means that we must have Christlike characteristics in our lives. Every day people must see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, especially our families, close friends and colleagues. We cannot just be religious by simply talking about Jesus, saying that we will pray for people or serving in the church. It must be increasingly obvious every day that we have the good fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Ask yourself, am I becoming more: Loving, Joyful, Peaceful, Patient, Kindness, Full of goodness, Faithful, Gentle, and Self-controlled. If you are struggling in any of these areas, then you cannot accept that this is normal behaviour for a Christian. It’s a sign you haven’t died to your flesh, so you need to come to the cross and crucify or put to death your passions and desires and your ego and image and live a new life with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to help us in our weaknesses and He is the only one who can help you change even in the areas that seem impossible for you to change. For when you live close to the Holy Spirit all this beautiful fruit will be seen in your life. 

3. Only by living by the Holy Spirit can you keep in step with the direction of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25-26). The Holy Spirit, like the wind, is always moving. He is always wanting to guide us and direct us just like He directed the apostle Paul to city after city. The Holy Spirit wants to continually lead us so that we never fall back into old ways of pride and provoking and being jealous of one another. Living in the Spirit means that you begin to know the Lord more and more as you read His word and listen and obey the voice of God. When you keep in step with the Holy Spirit you will no longer make decisions based on emotions or on what you think or what you feel or what the media or your friends say. Living in the Spirit means that you are no longer independent of God's will for your life, doing what you want. Rather you will be confident in your growing relationship with the Holy Spirit to walk close to Him in every situation and circumstance, especially when making significant decisions. Dr Yonggi Cho, founding pastor of the world’s biggest church, described the Holy Spirit as his ‘senior partner’, saying ‘without fellowship with the Holy Spirit there can be no spiritual life, no faith with power and victory.’ We too need to constantly develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit, listening to His voice, being sensitive to His direction and moving in step with Him. The Holy Spirit wants to come and be a key friend and partner to you. As you learn to live by the Spirit you will become a great disciple and a great leader. Maybe you are still struggling with the desires of your flesh or struggling to leave old habits. Today repent of your sins, fully surrender your life to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to help you.