Moving Forward

In life, we don't just start right. We move forward.

What does “not moving forward” look like? For believers, it is turning back to sin, using freedom for sin, and even getting oneself unoccupied.

Only walking by the Spirit can make us move forward.

·        ¹⁶So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷For 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. Galatians 5:16-17 NIV

 

How do we walk by the Spirit?

Be consistent with God

When we are inconsistent with our relationship with God, it becomes easier for the enemy to take us out. At times, this is more obvious to others than from oneself. We call it backsliding.

Believers recognize when someone is turning away from the truth.

• As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. Proverbs 26:11 NIV

How do we guard ourselves from backsliding?

Have a regular moment with the Holy Spirit. Meditate His Word.

• All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Remember, God gave us freedom from sin.

• It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NIV

When we are intimate with God, the Holy Spirit does what He does best. He teaches us, He reminds us, He guides  us.

• But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 NIV

 

Be steadfast with Jesus.

Using our freedom so that we may sin is just the same as turning back to sin. It happens when we believe we still glorify God even when we live in sin.

Sadly, this is just the same as justifying sin.

• You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 NIV

 If we  keep justifying our sins, there will come a time when we cannot control sinning itself anymore.

• For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18 NIV

How can we fight it?

Remain in God. There is no way you will be right with God if you are far from Him.

• If   you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 NIV

Seek His will. Remember, going in the direction of His will is the best thing. He is the God who does even the impossible. He  makes a way even when there seems to  be no way.

• your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NIV

Love His people.  How others act is sometimes used as a reason to stop doing what we do for God. Loving them can stop this, and can keep us on track, moving forward.

• ³⁴“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV

 

 

Be persistent with the Holy Spirit.

Being unoccupied is just the same as not moving forward. It is also the devil’s device to keep us from doing anything that glorifies God.

Laziness is a devil’s device.

• ⁴³“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45 NIV

When our lives are UNOCCUPIED, the evil spirit that left when God saved us will try to go back in with more spirits.

 

What do we do so that our lives are occupied by the Holy Spirit?

Be persistent. Do what satisfies the Spirit, not the flesh.

• ¹⁶So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV

Meet with God regularly. Pray, fast,  share Jesus, enjoy His presence.

• Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 NIV

Meet His people. Meeting with God’s people has its benefits for the believers, plus it is biblical.

• As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 NIV
• not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV

 

While it is true that it will not always be easy to follow Jesus, it is also true that the Holy Spirit takes care of us as along as we remain in Jesus, and His Word remains in us.

 

When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives in us. Therefore, it is best to continue serving Jesus by walking in the Spirit. It’s the only way to move forward and not turn back to our old nature.