But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 

                                                                                                            Galatians 5:16-18 

The best life, the only real life is one being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Being led by the Spirit means that we are no longer under the condemnation of the Law (v 18). When we are born again, we receive God’s Spirit, and He takes up residence in us, guiding and directing our lives (Acts 2:38). And what are the characteristics of a Spirit-led life? Consider the following:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.                                                           

                                                                                                Galatians 5:22-23

For starters how about love, joy, and peace? These are things that everyone desires and they are found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You can add patience, kindness, and gentleness. Who doesn’t want to be treated that way? Complete the list with faithfulness, goodness, and the ability to control oneself and you have nine irreplaceable characteristics. These are not things we do for God rather these are the fruit of His Spirit, the things we experience from His presence in our lives. This is what all Christians should be enjoying. So what happens when these traits are not apparent in our lives? The Bible tells us that it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) thus quenching God’s power in our lives (1 Thessalonians 5:19). I believe there are two basic ways in which we grieve the Holy Spirit.

The first is to allow sin to take up residence in our lives. Consider Paul’s evidence that the flesh has taken over:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are, immorality (adultery), impurity (prostitution), sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

                                                                                                       Galatians 5:19-21 

Two things we need to briefly say about this passage. First, we should not interpret this passage to mean that if we have committed any of these acts then we cannot be saved. Everyone is guilty before God and we can all be found on this list in either word, thought, or deed. Jesus came to save sinners and that includes the folks on this list. Secondly, it is possible for Christians to find themselves guilty of these offenses after their conversion. Paul reminds us that the flesh and the Spirit are constantly in opposition to each other (v 17). When Christians fail, they don’t forfeit the kingdom of God rather they can receive forgiveness from God by simply bringing that sin to Him (1 John 1:9). The important thing for believers comes in Paul’s reminder that if we walk in the Spirit, we will not carry out the desires of the flesh (v 16).

I believe the key to interpreting this passage is in the word “practice.” “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v 21). Practicing is to be busy with, to exercise, or to undertake. In other words, Paul is referring to people whose lives are characterized by the flesh. This is what characterizes a life not redeemed by Christ. But when Christians allow sin to take up residence in their lives, it can bring a grieving of the Holy Spirit, therefore blocking the fruit of God’s Spirit from being a reality in their lives.

Secondly, we can grieve the Spirit by the mistreatment of others. I don’t believe it is an accident that Paul’s comment on grieving the Spirit is sandwiched between these two verses:

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

                                                                                                           Ephesians 4:29-31 

The use of unwholesome words is not referring to using foul language rather it is defined as putrid, rotten, useless speech that is destructive as opposed to speech that builds up the hearer. This grieves the Spirit. Also, if you want to destroy the work of the Spirit in your life, hold on to bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (a vehement outcry of dissatisfaction), slander, and malice. These also grieve the Holy Spirit, robbing you of the love, joy, and peace that He wants you to have.

So, we can grieve the Spirit, effectively blocking God’s power in our lives, by allowing sin to take up residence in our lives and by the mistreatment of others. But for the believer that walks by the Spirit, the fruit are yours to enjoy and enjoy in abundance! 

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

                                                                                                                                Galatians 5:24