In this post, we’ll continue our study on faith by reviewing Galatians 5:22-26. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Let’s back up a bit to get more context. In verse 16 Paul encourages the reader to walk by the Spirit so as not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  The characteristics of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance describes the manifestation of the Spirit.  These scriptures contrast with what Paul initially outlined in verses 19-21 which were the works of the flesh.  Paul mentions in verse 18 that if the Spirit leads us, we are not under the law.  He then picks up the manifestation of being led by the Spirit by outlining the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22, 23.  He finishes the thought in verses 24 – 26. 

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Let’s break these scriptures down a bit.  16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. To walk in the Spirit is to yield to the Spirit’s guidance and direction consistently.  It is moving opposite of what your flesh or circumstances dictate when they are contrary to how the Spirit of God is prompting you to go.  For many of us, this prompting is through our conscience. You need faith or trust to yield to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  You’ll have a hard time yielding to someone you do not trust or do not know very well.  Without having experienced for yourself God’s trustworthiness, you will have a hard time yielding to him.  Without knowing and being absolutely convinced that His way is the right way, and not only that, knowing that His way will be for your benefit and that He will only do what will benefit you, you’ll have a tough time yielding.  You’ll think that your way is better, you’ll fear stepping out into the unknown, and you won’t be able to see clearly because fear and doubt will obscure your vision.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  The law intended to govern the conduct of those who were subject to it, but the law was unable to change the hearts and internal nature of its subjects.  We, who are in Christ Jesus, are not under the law but under the grace of God who gave us his Holy Spirit so that we would have the ability to crucify the flesh and to manifest the fruit of the Spirit.  As we read in the post Faith the Fertilizer, we have been given exceeding great and precious promises that through them we can partake of Jesus’ divine nature.  Add to that, we have been given the opportunity to increase in the knowledge of God, and the Lord Jesus by adding to our faith virtue and to virtue knowledge and to knowledge, self-control and to self-control patience, and to patience godliness and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1:5-7).  These characteristics are internal.  They govern our reactions and thought processes.  They stabilize us by keeping us aware of who we are and whose we are.  Diligently adding these characteristics to our trust in God enables us to be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They also confirm and cement His choosing of us and our choosing of Him.  Lastly, growing in these characteristics keep us from falling back into old habits.  But, if these characteristics are missing or are not growing within us, we become blind to who the Lord Jesus is and who we are in Him and slip back as the light of the gospel dims from our view.  As we grow in these characteristics, we become more grounded and able to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.  

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.  Walking in the Spirit is an outward manifestation of the condition of our hearts.   When we walk in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance, we manifest the influence of the Spirit of God as partakers of the divine nature.  We exhibit that nature in our interaction with others.

Walking in the Spirit, partaking of the divine nature, and increasing in the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, all require faith.  Trusting in God and trusting in His Word is what keeps us stabilized on the rock of Christ.  By our faith, we guard our hearts and our minds.  By our faith, we crucify the flesh, denying temptations that are contrary to the divine nature. But anyone who doubts is unstable and subject to the ebbs and flows of their emotions and changing circumstances.