Live by the Spirit
What effect does the Spirit of God have on us? How do we enable the Spirit to work in us? What is the impact of the Spirit on our lives? How do we gain victory in our spiritual lives?
What does the Bible say about living by the Spirit? -
- God’s Child - Romans 8v15-17
- Life giving Spirit - Romans 7v24-8v2
- Choice of victor - Romans 8v5-7
- Foundations of life - Romans 8v9-11
- Don’t fall back - Romans 8v12-14
God’s Child
Romans 8v15-17
you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What do these verses say about how God views us?
- How does it affect your choices that God would call you his child?
Thoughts to consider
Since we are God’s children, we are also his heirs. That means that all that I am living for is actually in heaven rather than on earth. It is invisible and kept by God on trust.
Life giving Spirit
Romans 7v24 - 8v2
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What factors are mentioned here in the inner battle of our lives?
- How have you experienced the power of sin and God at work in your life?
Thoughts to consider
The human condition plays out with our failure to do what we know to be the right thing. God’s victory through Jesus’ death enables a victory over this automatic failure mode. Freed slaves don’t necessarily act well, but it is the beginning of a journey.
Choice of victor
Romans 8v5-7
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- How is the inner conflict described in these verses?
- What choices are involved in moving to victory?
Thoughts to consider
As we choose to delight in going with God, so we enable the Holy Spirit to work in us. Our sinful nature loses its grip and we move increasingly to freedom.
Foundations of life
Romans 8v9-11
You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What has God done to enable us in victory?
- What does the passage say about how God has proven that he has the victory?
Thoughts to consider
We might think that we start the battle on the back foot. God however has won the victory so we start in a place of victory.
Don’t fall back
Romans 8v12-14
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- Why would you feel an allegiance to live God’s way?
- What does it mean to put to death the deeds of the sinful nature through the power of the Spirit?
Thoughts to consider
We can be pressed into living the way we always have in the past, almost as a duty to the dark side. Yet, we have a new allegiance as children of God. Others might not see it, but God does.
Overview questions for reflection or discussion
- How do you invest in an inheritance in heaven with God?
Thoughts to consider
The life of the Spirit is fundamentally one of faith, hope and love.
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