Living by the rule of the Holy Spirit

Walk in the Spirit—Greek, “By (the rule of) the (Holy) Spirit.” Compare Ga 5:16-18, 22, 25; Ga 6:1-8, with Ro 7:22; 8:11. The best way to keep tares out of a bushel is to fill it with wheat. – Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:13-15)


Works of religious strength: the acts2041 of the flesh (Galatians 5:19…)

  • sexual immorality
  • impurity and debauchery
  • idolatry and witchcraft
  • hatred
  • discord
  • jealousy
  • fits of rage
  • selfish ambition
  • dissensions
  • factions and envy
  • drunkenness
  • orgies
  • and the like

2041 érgon
(from ergō, “to work, accomplish”) – a work or worker who accomplishes something. 2041 /érgon (“work”) is a deed (action) that carries out (completes) an inner desire (intension, purpose).


Result of yielding to the Spirit: the fruit2590 of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22…)

  • love
  • joy
  • peace
  • forbearance
  • kindness
  • goodness
  • faithfulness
  • gentleness
  • self-control

2590 karpós
properly, fruit; (figuratively) everything done in true partnership with Christ, i.e. a believer (a branch) lives in union with Christ (the Vine). By definition, fruit (2590 /karpós) results from two life-streams – the Lord living His life through ours – to yield what is eternal (cf. 1 Jn 4:17).

The more someone yields to the Holy Spirit in their life, the more their life will be characterized by the “Fruit of the Spirit.” The more someone works to establish their own religious righteousness, the more their life will be characterized by the “Works of the Flesh.” What is motivating you? Are you sure? What is the result?

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18)