Wondering if I should make a political statement. No! That’s way outside my comfort zone. I have opinions, but my emotional makeup runs from controversy.

Yet I can say this: the turmoil in our country saddens me. Unqualified as I am to offer solutions, I’m going to suggest one: why don’t we all just walk in the Spirit?

Wouldn’t that solve a multitude of issues?

For much of my Christian walk, I struggled to understand what Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:16-17 KJV).

I notice this comes after comments that need little explanation: “…by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (v. 13b-15).

Paul goes on to say, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (v. 22-25).

Just walk in the Spirit. Just walk in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. That’s what walking in the control of the Holy Spirit looks like: a life overflowing with these characteristics—the fruit of the Spirit.

If each of us chose to live this way, what a difference it would make—in our homes, in our communities, in our nation.

“By love serve one another” would be a good national motto going forward. But love and kindness aren’t matters of legislation. They are personal choices allowing us to influence our little sphere in this big world…a world with relationship problems.

By love serve one another” would be a good national motto going forward. But love and kindness aren’t matters of legislation. They are personal choices allowing us to influence our little sphere in this big world…a world with… Click To Tweet

Paul had some relationship problems, but he worked at resolving them. Those experiences and his unwavering commitment to Christ qualify him to speak with authority. He said this in chapter three of his letter to the Colossians (NIV):

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

“You used to walk in theses ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator…Christ is all, and is in all.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in unity.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

In these stressful, unsettled times, remember our Sovereign God is still in control. Our role is to represent him well. Why don’t we all just walk in the Spirit?

In these stressful, unsettled times, remember our Sovereign God is still in control. Our role is to represent him well. Why don’t we all just walk in the Spirit? Click To Tweet

Please share how the Lord has encouraged your heart. And I’d be grateful if you would forward this article to your friends.

© Dianne Barker 2021