Refuge Audio Podcast

One small seed sown can, in time, produce thousands more seeds. This principle has spiritual applications. The content we consume is seed. If that seed feeds our flesh, then we sow to the flesh. If it is seed that feeds our spirit, then we sow to the Spirit. But there is a delay between sowing and reaping. The Apostle Paul knew this, and encourages us to not grow weary of sowing to the spirit for in due season we will reap if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

As we have been studying what it means to follow the Spirit, it’s helpful to look to the many examples of followers of Jesus in the past who have kept in step with the Spirit that we can learn from. We considered one of those examples in the life of Philip in Acts 8. In this passage, we see what it looks like to have our mind set on the things of the Spirit.

The flesh & the Spirit are in constant conflict for the mind—the place where we make decisions & take action. We can influence this conflict by being careful of the content we consume in our mind. Just like planing a seed, our thoughts will yield a harvest. God’s word makes it clear—if we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. But if we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.

Romans 8 begins with no condemnation (verse 1) and ends with no separation (verses 38-39). In between is a description of our victory through life in the Holy Spirit. But why do we struggle with receiving this reality in our lives? What keeps us from believing and enjoying this truth? And who can help us to accept God's honest assessments of our current condition in Christ that have to do with His character and His grace?

Romans 8:1 is one of the most magnificent statements and important truths in all of the Bible. In order to appreciate this truth to the fullest, we need to consider it in its context—which will also help us appropriate the truth we find there.

We often know the right thing to do, but do the wrong thing anyway. Paul experienced this too and asked, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Paul provides the answer in the very next sentence: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” and then describes the newness of the Spirit available in Christ: no condemnation, no separation, more than conquerers. In this study, we considered the newness of the Spirit made possible to us through Christ as an introduction to one of the greatest chapters in all of scripture—Romans 8.

We've gotten to know the Holy Spirit—who the Holy Spirit is, what the Holy Spirit does, and the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. In light of this, what should our response be? What must we do? It’s a common question…with an uncommon answer.

God gives us good gifts through the Holy Spirit. Identifying these gifts is important, but understanding how we are to use them and why God has given them to us is essential.

When we look at the Bible like a self-help book, we err in thinking that all we have to do is try harder. But trying harder and attempting to control ourselves doesn’t work—only a reliance on the Holy Spirit that comes naturally though a daily relationship does!

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” But what does it mean to “walk in the Spirit?” It's an important question to ask—and answer. Before we start this walk, we took time on Sunday to get to know the Holy Spirit.