Not Obeyed

Sometimes our problem with walking by the Spirit has nothing to do with our receiving the Spirit. We've received the Spirit. Sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with understanding the Spirit. We know what God is calling us to do. Sometimes we quench the Spirit in a completely different way. We don't obey.

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV)

Jealousy and quarreling are sure signs of disobedience. God calls us to love God above all else, but Jesus said it was equally important to love our neighbor as ourselves. We can't do that very well if we are looking at our neighbor with envy. It's difficult to love someone when you are arguing with and fighting them.

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:2-3, 5a, 9-10 NIV)

Our words are powerful. Do we use our words to speak truth or to speak lies. Do we use our words to build people up or to tear them down. Do we use our words to glorify God or to give Him a bad name.

But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:17-20 NIV)

How about our actions? Do our actions reflect our words and do they reflect God's Spirit? When we walk by the Spirit, people will see the difference. We won't just give lip service to God. Our life will reflect the Spirit's direction.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. (1 Thess. 4:7-8 NIV)

How about you? Do you reflect God's Spirit in your words? Does your life reflect God's Spirit in your deeds? When people look at your life, do they see someone who walks by the Spirit or do they see someone who has not obeyed?