The latter section of Galatians 5 is titled, Living by the Spirit’s Power. In this section, instructions tell what we shouldn’t be doing and how we should conduct our lives. Verses 25 and 26 conclude the chapter inciting how to let the Holy Spirit lead your life.
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:25-26
Because Paul says since we are living by the Spirit, we know that he is talking to Christians. He emphasizes in these chapters is that we, as Christians, should love one another. Which, is the basis of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Living by the Spirit means we must follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Paul doesn’t stop there, he gets specific. He brings up attributes within us that we don’t want to admit to. And we certainly don’t want to discuss with others.
Let Us Not . . .
Let us not become conceited. Paul qualifies this phrase in other places. He tells us that we are nothing in ourselves — but everything in Christ. Therefore we have no bragging rights unless we are bragging on Jesus.
Then he goes on to say Let us not provoke one another. In other words, don’t make others angry. The word he uses is provoke, which means to deliberately make (someone) annoyed or angry. One Bible translation says it this way, So may we never look down on another, for each of us is an original.
The third thing Paul says, Let us not be jealous of one another. The word jealous means feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages. Verse 19 says the desires of our sinful nature include 15 specific things and 2 of them are jealousy and envy. At the end of that list, Paul says,
Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21
To get the full scope of what is being said in the chapter, you can read it here.
How Do You Let the Holy Spirit Lead Your Life?
The key is you must want Him to lead your life. Our verses say “let us follow and let us not become.”
As the Lord becomes more and more important to us that is when we let His Spirit lead. And that is when the Holy Spirit starts to grow out of our lives. Verses 22-23 tell us what it looks like.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23
You can check out this related post called How To Supplement Your Faith In God
Lord, about these three things Paul mentioned in this verse – becoming conceited, provoking one another, and being jealous. They can come on us quickly if we are not led by your Spirit. Help us to follow His lead and cultivate our lives. So the Fruit of the Spirit will grow in us.
Check out these other related Post on living by the Holy Spirit.
- God Will Pour His Holy Spirit Upon All People
- How To Fulfill God’s Purpose For Your Life
- The Holy Spirit Will Guide You In This Life
- Living By The Holy Spirit
- How To Live A Holy Life
You would enjoy reading the cornerstone post on discipleship called How To Be An Effective Devoted Disciple Of Jesus
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You know what I find fascinating is that this scripture, and others, will tell us to do something, such as let the Spirit guide us, then we are told not to be conceited or jealous. At first it seems, at least to me, two different topics, or just random statements, but they are not. With every great thing that can happen to us, we easily become full of ourselves, or jealous of someone else. So, as we are lead by the Spirit and great things happen to us, we need to make sure we do not take credit for it. Or, when we see the Spirit using someone else for something we would like to experience, we may question God, “Why not me?”. It happens so easily. What I try to remember for myself is, the “why’s” behind the plans God has for my life are none of my business. My business is to be obedient, and hopefully I am.
That’s good Rob, The more we grow in the Lord, the less we ask why. I think you’ve got got it. Thanks