Living by the spirit, not by the soul
Living by the Spirit, not by the Soul
Key Scripture "Walk in the
Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." — Galatians 5:16
God never intended us to be controlled by our feelings,
emotions, or circumstances. His desire is that we live by the Spirit, allowing
His life to direct every part of our lives.
When God created Adam and Eve, they lived in perfect
fellowship with Him. Their spirit was alive and in communion with God. Their
spirit governed their soul (mind, will, and emotions), and their soul governed
their body.
God's original order:
Spirit → Soul → Body
After sin entered the world, that order was reversed.
Soul → Spirit → Body Instead of being led by God's Spirit, mankind began living
according to what they could see, hear, feel, taste, and touch.
Through Jesus Christ, God restores us to His original
design.
The First Step Before we can live by the Spirit, we must be
born again.
Jesus said, "Unless one is
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
At salvation, our spirit is made alive by the Holy Spirit. The
Christian life is then a journey of allowing our spirit to become stronger than
our soul.
Five Keys to Developing Your Spirit
1. Renew Your Mind with God's Word
Romans 12:2 "Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind..."
The Word of God changes the way we think. As we meditate on
Scripture, information becomes revelation, and revelation produces faith. Our
renewed mind begins to agree with God's truth instead of our natural thinking.
Discussion Question: What areas of your thinking need to be
renewed by God's Word?
2. Confess God's Word Daily
Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has
the power of life and death, and those
who love it will eat its fruit
Our words strengthen either faith or fear.
Begin speaking God's promises aloud.
Examples:
I am the righteousness of God
in Christ.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21
By His stripes I am healed.
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree… by
whose stripes you were healed.” — 1 Peter 2:24
See also Isaiah 53:5.
My God supplies all my needs.
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
I can do all things through
Christ.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —
Philippians 4:13
Greater is He who is in me
than he who is in the world.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,
because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” — 1 John 4:4
Faith grows when we continually agree with God's Word.
Discussion Question: What Scriptures do you need to begin
confessing over your life?
3. Walk by the Spirit by
Acting on God's Word
Galatians 5:16 “Walk in the
Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk
by faith, not by sight.”
Romans 4:17 “As it is written,
‘I have made you a father of many nations’—in the presence of Him whom he
believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not
exist as though they did.”
Faith always requires action.
Living by the Spirit means choosing obedience even when our
feelings say otherwise.
We walk by faith—not by sight.
Discussion Question Is there an area where God is asking you
to obey Him despite your feelings?
4. Develop Your Spirit
Through Daily Meditation
Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law
shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you
will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Meditation is more than reading.
It is thinking, speaking, and reflecting on God's Word until
it becomes part of us.
As our spirit grows stronger, circumstances no longer
control our responses.
Instead of reacting in fear, worry, or discouragement, we
respond in faith.
Discussion Question How can you make daily meditation part
of your routine?
5. Live with a Righteousness
Consciousness and not sin consciousness
“For He made Him who knew no
sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”— 2
Corinthians 5:21
“There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
“For by one offering He has
perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”— Hebrews 10:14
“Their sins and their lawless
deeds I will remember no more.”— Hebrews 10:17
“As far as the east is from
the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”— Psalm 103:12
“For sin shall not have
dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”
— Romans 6:14
Declaration: “I am not
defined by my past sins. In Christ, I am forgiven, accepted, and made
righteous. I refuse condemnation and choose to live in the freedom and victory
Jesus has provided.”
We are no longer defined by our failures.
Through Christ we have been made righteous.
When we live with righteousness consciousness instead of sin
consciousness, we become confident before God.
·
We pray with confidence.
·
We worship with confidence.
·
We serve with confidence.
Not because of our goodness—but because of Christ's finished
work.
Discussion Question What difference would it make if you saw
yourself every day as God sees you?
Personal Application
This week choose to:
✓ Read God's Word every day.
✓ Confess His promises aloud.
✓ Spend time in meditation and prayer.
✓ Act on what God says.
✓ Remember that you are the righteousness of God in Christ.
As these become daily habits, your spirit will increasingly
govern your soul and body, and you will experience the abundant life that Jesus
promised.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ we have been
made alive by Your Spirit. Help us to renew our minds with Your Word, speak
Your promises with faith, walk in obedience, meditate on Your truth, and live
with the confidence of knowing we are righteous in Christ. May our spirit rule
over our soul and body as You originally intended. Lead us by Your Holy Spirit
every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.