July 18, 2004

Keeping in step with the Spirit
Speaker: Adam Edgerly
Soul Talk Series, Part 1

Galatians 5:16-26
¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and 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.
²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

True spiritual maturity embraces and transforms our emotions
the following principles can help us in this journey.*

Principles of going deep:

1. Look beneath the surface

Behavior patterns point to something deeper
Pain should push us to change

Key Questions: What am I feeling? What am I really doing?

2. Break the power of the past

Understand the influence of family history
Know the impact of key events and influential people

Key Questions: How did this start?

3. Live in Brokenness and Vulnerability (2Corinthians 11:29-12:10)

Accept the gift of weakness
Trust in the power of the Gospel

Key Question: Who am I in Christ?

*Principles adapted from The Emotionally Healthy Church, by Peter Scazzero

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