We are either living in the spirit or we are living in the flesh. It’s that simple. We are either living God’s way or Satan’s way. The heavenly way or the worldly way. Godly or ungodly. Every minute of every day we choose how we will live. So what are we choosing? How are you living? How am I supposed to know whether I’m living in the Spirit of God or the sin of the flesh?
Paul said that it is easy to see what living in the flesh is. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). Any of these things is sinful. Of the flesh. Worldly. Not of God. Not leading to Heaven. Leading to Hell. And that’s not the way we want to live. If we find ourselves in any of those then we need to repent and change the way we’re living.
The way of God, of the Spirit that leads to eternal life Paul refers to as the “fruit of the Spirit.” Paul wrote, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22). If we find ourselves living in these things then we are in great shape.
It is not hard at all to see the difference between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit. The question is which way are we going to live? One way leads to Heaven and one way doesn’t. Paul said that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:24-26). Have you gotten rid of all your freshly ways? Are you living in the Spirit? Examine yourself. Choose God’s way. Choose life. Be fruitful in the Spirit.
A Cord of Blue 