Spiritual Living

These days we hear a lot of talk about how we should live a spiritual life. Go to any revival meeting and you will find the speaker telling us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Everyone assumes that once we are filled with the Holy Spirit we will automatically lead good lives. Many believe that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and so whatever they do is the work of the Holy Spirit. St. Paul tells in plain words in Gal.5:25,’ If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit’. He tells plainly that unless our walk or behaviour is good or godly, we are not living a spirit filled life.

Read further down the passage and you will see how you can walk in the spirit.
If your neighbor is tempted for vain things, things of this world whose glory soon fades away, we who are strong in faith should help such a one to resist the temptation. It refers to cases of surprise, or of sudden temptation. Christians do not commit sin deliberately, and as a part of the plan of life; but they may be surprised by sudden temptation, or urged on by a headstrong passion, as David and Peter were. We should not blame or find fault with him but set him right, bring him back, recover him from his errors and his faults. The apostle does not say in what manner this is to be done; but it is usually to be done doubtless by affectionate admonition, by faithful instruction, and by prayer.

Gal. 6: 2. Bear one another's burdens. Help each other, sustain each other; if you see one about to stumble under his burden, hold him up- Bear ye one another's burdens - Sympathize with, and assist, each other, in all your weaknesses, grievances, trials. And so fulfill the law of Christ - The law of Christ is the law of love. James calls it the ‘Royal Law’.Jas.2: 8. ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’.

Gal 6:4 - But let every man try his own work - Narrowly examine all he is, and all he does. And then he will have rejoicing in himself - He will find in himself great joy, if his works are right before God. Do not examine others’ behaviour or conduct and feel happy that he has sinned or is not living a good life. He has to answer for his own life. Do not boast in your righteousness. Rom.2: 6 says, ‘Who will render to every man according to his deeds’.

Gal 6:6 -Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teaches - He who receives instructions in Christianity by the public preaching of the word should contribute to the support of the man who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. Many believers nowadays receive the Christian ministry without contributing to its support. This is both ungrateful and dishonorable. We do not expect that a common schoolmaster will give up his time to teach our children their alphabet without being paid for it; and can we suppose that it is right for any person to learn the Gospel in order to attain salvation, and not contribute to the support of the spiritual teacher? It is unjust.

Gal 6:9 -And let us not be weary in well doing -. The reference here is particularly to the support of the ministers of religion, but the apostle makes the exhortation general. Christians sometimes become weary and tired and fed up. There is so much opposition to their best plans for doing good; there is so much to be done, they spend so much of their time and effort, but there is so much ingratitude among those whom they minister, that they become disheartened and discouraged. Sooner or later, as the Word says, ‘in due time’ they will reap their just reward.

Tit 3:8-11 –‘This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.’ Those who believe in God, must be careful to continue doing good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, out of love. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends to be edifying. Though we think some sins are light not serious, if the Lord awakens our conscience, even the smallest sin will appear to be large.

In order to build up our spiritual lives, we should follow some basic rules.
Eph.5: 19. When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as you praise the Lord with all your heart. When you sing spiritual songs, all your depressions will vanish, you will be revived and all your work will appear to be light.
Read the Bible. Some chapters and passages from the bible will comfort and encourage you. Read Psalms 23 and learn to love God (Yahweh) more, Psalms 91 to lift you up and encourage you, the prophets to instruct you and the gospels and Acts to follow good examples. Read the Old Testament to know how Yahweh protects His people.
Heb.10: 25. Attend prayer meetings as often as you can. Meet people who are spiritually minded, share your testimonies with others. By doing so, you will not only encourage others but you yourself will also be revived.
Pray regularly. Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) set us an example and showed us how to pray. Read Matt.6: 5-13.  Pray in secret, away from others. Your prayer will be more focused and you will not have any distractions. You can really pour out your heart to Him and listen to His gentle answer.
Remember, ‘Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh,’ Gal.5:16.