Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith. — Galatians 3:5

In this letter, Paul focuses a lot of his teaching on the Holy Spirit. Eighteen times he mentions his name, and then in chapter 5, we have one of the clearest teachings in the New Testament about the relationship man has with the Holy Spirit. And he does this to help believers see that the attempt to put too much stock in human effort as a means of salvation dismisses the work of the Spirit in a man's life.

Paul shows us that both a decision to follow Christ and an understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit are essential. But many believers, like the Galatians, do not take the time to understand this relationship and therefore misunderstand the Spirits working in their life.

So here is a brief overview.

The Holy Spirit does a lot of work in and for a believer. But this means that the believer has a responsibility to partner with the Holy Spirit that lives within him (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Therefore a believing man should walk, be led by, and keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25). He does this by listening to and obeying God's will in the scripture. When he ignores this, he is grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If he continues to ignore it, he may end up quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). This doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit will leave him because Jesus has promised that the Spirit abides forever (John 14:16). But it does mean that he will lack living a fruit-filled life that comes by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, believing men should be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18–21), which means they live a life controlled by the Spirit. This is the work we do. It's the focus of the man who lives a Spirit-filled life.

For many new believers, this is a new way. It's very different from the old way we lived life. Formerly we lived directed by our ways, which yielded less than fruitful results. But the Christian man lives a new life directed in a new way. He is directed by God's will and the Spirit that leads to all new results. To revert to the old way, or as in the case of the Galatians, to teach the old way, hoping for the results of the new way, is absurd. It's insanity.

So fellas, don't do things your way today. Do things God's way. When you are convicted by the Spirit to do something or not do something. Listen to the Spirit. Don't hesitate. The more you listen and don't hesitate, the more you'll discover a growing and vibrant relationship with the Spirit. And as you do this, you will see God work more vibrantly in your life. And as Paul says here, you'll probably see more "miracles among you."

ASK THIS: Are you ready to listen to the Spirit today?

DO THIS: Listen to the Spirit, and then don't hesitate to act in step with the Spirit.

PRAY THIS: God, may my ear be attentive to the Spirit. And may I act following his will.

PLAY THIS: Kari Jobe - Holy Spirit.

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