Creating Space for A Life Led by The Holy Spirit: Part 1 of 2

A life led by the Holy Spirit is more than a life that acknowledges God. A Holy Spirit-led life is not measured merely by what we profess to believe, how much scripture we know, how often we go to church, how much we give to the church, or how often we participate in religiosity. We must also consider what our lives are producing.

But what does that look like  every day and how does a person recognize the difference between living according to their flesh and living according to the Holy Spirit?

• Is love becoming more evident in the way we treat people?

• Are we learning to exercise self-control when our desires compete with our convictions?

• Can we pursue peace without avoiding necessary conversations?

• Are patience and gentleness evident when life does not unfold according to our expectations?

Galatians 5:16–17 NIV

^“ 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.” 

 Paul explains that these two are in opposition, presenting a conflict that influences how we live. Living in the Holy Spirit does not mean a person will never face trials, temptation, or adversity. Rather, it calls us to recognize where our character is being formed and to become more responsive to the Holy Spirit than to the temptations, stressors, and trauma of life.

Paul also contrasts life led by the Holy Spirit with life governed by the flesh. The works of the flesh are not limited to outward behaviors. Paul's list also includes attitudes and relational patterns, such as jealousy, hatred, selfish ambition, and uncontrolled anger. These reveal how our inner desires can influence the way we relate to others.

Galatians 5:19-21(NIV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

 In Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV), “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Paul describes the characteristics of a life bearing fruit through the Holy Spirit. These qualities provide a biblical framework for examining the character being developed in our lives.

Understanding the Mindset of the Flesh and the Mindset of the Spirit

Romans 8:5–6 (KJV)

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

  Paul directs our attention to the mindset because what occupies our thoughts influences our decisions and behavior. To be carnally minded in this context is to have one's thinking and nature governed by the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit. This extends beyond obvious wrongdoing. It invites us to consider what we continually pursue, what we allow to dominate our attention, and what ultimately directs our choices.

However, being spiritually minded is not simply about thinking about God when it is convenient. It involves developing a mindset that is increasingly attentive to and aware of His presence, responding in ways that align with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

For example, two people can participate in the same activity while being motivated by very different ambitions. Although their outward actions may appear similar, the thoughts, intentions, and desires influencing their decisions may reveal a meaningful difference in what governs their lives.

 The deeper question is not merely what we are doing, but what is governing our hearts and minds as we do it.

When entertainment, achievement, possessions, personal gratification, or other pursuits become so consuming that they displace our spiritual priorities, we have reason to pause and examine the direction of our attention.

Matthew 6:21 (NIV):

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This does not mean that enjoyment, recreation, or material possessions are inherently sinful. The question is whether these things are occupying a place in our hearts that interferes with our spiritual maturity, accountability, responsibilities, or God-given purpose.

What might a life led by the Holy Spirit feel like?

 A willingness to surrender our own road map to success to understand God’s purpose for our lives, and to become increasingly sensitive to the ways our choices align or fail to align with the character and faith of Jesus Christ.

It does not mean that we will always feel peaceful, receive immediate answers, or clearly understand every decision. A Holy Spirit-led life is not a life in which we always know what to do. It is a life in which we learn to depend on God, including during seasons of uncertainty. Rather, it means learning to seek God's direction while remaining grounded in Christ.

 In Ephesians 5:15–17 (KJV), Paul connects wisdom to how we conduct our lives and use our time. To walk circumspectly is to live carefully and thoughtfully, not carelessly. Time is a limited resource that, once spent, we cannot reclaim. Being intentional about how we value and use our time is essential. While enjoyment has a legitimate place in life, we can lose valuable opportunities when our days become consumed by activities that offer little benefit.

The issue is not that we have no time for what matters. It is that our time has gradually been taken up by things that compete with what matters. This is where intentional living becomes important.

Ephesians 5:15–17 reminds us that intentional living is more than a time-management principle. It is an opportunity to examine whether our daily choices reflect God's will and the life He calls us to live through His Son, Jesus Christ, as we learn to be led by the Holy Spirit.

If the closes person to you examined how you spend your time, what would your daily choices reveal about what holds the greatest priority in your life?

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Self-examination requires you to look in the mirror, literally, look in a mirror and read yourself out loud as though you were transparent. Be willing to look beyond the surface and describe your motives and intentions that create the patterns that are characterized in your behavior and life.

The invitation is not to measure our faith by productivity or perfection. Rather, it is to consider whether our daily lives reflect the faith we profess and whether we are willing to respond when God reveals areas that need attention. James 1:23–25 (NIV) compares hearing God's word without acting on it is like looking at one's face in a mirror and then walking away without remembering what was seen.

This leads us to another important question:

What happens when the things we repeatedly pursue begin to consume more of our lives than we realize?

Part 1 of 2.

Resource

Galatians 5:16–17 NIV

Galatians 5:19-21(NIV)

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Romans 8:5–6 (KJV)

Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

Ephesians 5:15–17 (KJV)

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

James 1:23–25 (NIV)