Who Is Your Guide?

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
Galatians 5:16 NLT

A few weeks ago I took my son to northern Maine fishing. We were fishing for brook trout. I had fished in that area about 33 years ago and did not remember where all of the brooks were where we had fished. So, we spent a significant amount of time exploring woods roads looking for good places to fish. We had a great time and caught enough fish to enjoy a good fish fry. But I am sure we could have caught far more fish if I would have asked someone from the area where the best brooks were or even paid for someone to guide us and then followed their advice.
That is really the idea behind the verse we just read from Galatians. As Christ-followers we know that there is a different way to live life, and we are hoping that the way we are living will point folks to Jesus. The problem is we are not all that good at living a godly life on our own. We all struggle with a sin nature that pulls us toward selfishness. God knows our struggle and does not leave us to fight alone; in his great wisdom, he sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in godly living. If we will listen and follow the leading of the Spirit he will produce godly characteristics in us. These characteristics are described for us a few verses later as the fruit of the Spirit, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Gal 5:22-23).
Are you trying to produce these qualities in your life on your own? Or are you allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct the way you are living your life so these qualities can be produced in you? Here is a little hint: we all need the guide!

-Pastor Tim