Three signs that show we are walking in the spirit.

Three signs that show we are walking in the spirit. 

After giving your lives to Christ and confessing him as our Lord and Savior, our Christian journey begins. A lot of people have the misconception that is the end of our Christian journey. However, in reality, it really isn't. It's only the beginning of many spectacular changes that will take place in the time to come as we continue on this eternal path, as we grow in our journey with Christ as a believer. There are visible signs and changes that confirm our growth in Christ and reveal to us whether we are on the right path or not. My father is a minister of the gospel. Always used to say growth is a principle. If you are not growing, there is a problem. I believe this to be absolutely true in the spiritual sense. Luke 252 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. We are going to look at three signs that show you are a godly person.

 Sign number one.

 You begin to deliberately chase after Christ and the things of the spirit. First John three on 24. Now he who keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abides in us by the spirit whom he has given us. The Bible teaches us that a godly person is someone who lives their life in a way that is pleasing to God. It is a life that is dedicated to following Christ, obeying his commandments, and doing his will. John 15 five six says, I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. These verses paint a vivid picture of what it means to abide in Christ. To abide in Christ means to remain in him, to be attached to him, and to stay connected to him. It is a relationship that is based on love, trust, and obedience. The fruit that Jesus speaks of in this passage represents the evidence of a godly life. The fruit is the result of our obedience to God's will, and it is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. A godly person bears fruit that glorifies God and reflects his character. So what does it mean to live a life that chases after Christ and abides in him? It means that we prioritize our relationship with him above all else. And this is what godly people do. They prioritize Christ above being loved by this world.

Godly people prioritize Christ above being accepted by this world. Godly people are more concerned about being accepted by God than accepted by this world. It means that we seek to know him more intimately through prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers. It means that we obey his commands and strive to live a life that is pleasing to him. When you truly abide in Christ, there is a remarkable transformation that takes place within your heart and soul. The things you once desired, the ambitions and dreams that were once driven by worldly perspectives, they start to change. Yes, they truly do. Your heart begins to beat in sync with the heart of Christ, and your desires align more with his desires. The desire to love becomes predominant in your life. It's not just any kind of love. It's a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the well-being of others before yourself. It's the kind of love that mirrors the love of Christ on the cross, ready to give it all for the sake of others. Additionally, there emerges a burning desire to share the gospel with the lost. You begin to realize the urgency and the importance of spreading the good news of salvation. Your heart aches for those who have yet to experience the transformative love of Christ, and you become a willing vessel to share his message of hope and redemption. Godly people stand out in this world because they are not swayed by the love of this world. They are not concerned with accumulating wealth, fame, or power for their own sake. Their treasures are stored up in heaven and their eyes are fixed on things above.

 They understand that the things of this world are temporary and fleeting, and they choose to invest in what is eternal. Furthermore, godly people do not live in fear of men. They understand that God is the ultimate authority and that fearing him brings wisdom and understanding. They are not intimidated by the opinions or perceptions of others, because they know their identity is rooted in Christ. They are secure in their relationship with God and they seek to please him above all else. And this is the point where all of us need to arrive as children of God, to a place where the opinions of people no longer hold us captive. We need to reach a point where we are not concerned about how people perceive us, but are solely focused on how God views us. It is a journey of letting go of our need for human approval, and fully embracing the approval that comes from God alone. When we arrive at this point, we find true freedom in Christ. We are no longer bound by the chains of people pleasing, and we are free to live in a way that truly honors and glorifies God. We live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that our lives are being led by the Almighty, and our desires are in line with his perfect will. Living a life that abides in Christ requires us to surrender our will to his. It means that we no longer live for ourselves, but for him foundationally. This is what godly people do. They live for Christ. Galatians 220 I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live. Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

 Sign number two. 

The gaze of a godly person is not fixated on fleshly desires. A godly person walks by the spirit and walking by the spirit will change you. This is the foundational truth. Walking by the spirit will change the things you desire. It will change your outlook of the world. Walking by the spirit will allow you to resist the desires of the flesh. Galatians 516 to 17. So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the spirit likes what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want. The Bible is clear that the pleasures of this world are temporary, and that those who seek them will ultimately be disappointed. James 414 warns us, you adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. An ungodly person is one who is only focused on the here and now. They live for pleasure, power, and possessions with little regard for God or His will. They chase after the things of this world, thinking that they will bring them lasting happiness and fulfillment.

 However, the reality is that these things are fleeting and they will ultimately leave the ungodly person empty and unfulfilled. They will find that their pursuit of pleasure has led them down a path of destruction with eternal consequences. Matthew 1626 says, for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? This verse reminds us that our eternal soul is far more valuable than any temporary pleasure or possession that this world can offer. Living for the pleasures of this world is a dangerous and ultimately futile pursuit. A godly person. Gaze is on Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12 two. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. The things of this world may tempt the fleshly body which we live in, but the true desire of a godly person is eternal things. A godly person is concerned with spending eternity with the Lord. A godly person's gaze is on eternal things and not temporal things. As believers, we have been called to live with an eternal perspective.

Our focus should be on the things that matter in eternity, not on the temporary pleasures of this world. A godly person understands that this life is just a temporary journey, and that our ultimate destination is eternal life with the Lord. Jesus reminds us in Matthew six 1921, do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. A godly person understands that the things of this world are temporary and will fade away. But the things of heaven are eternal and will never pass away. They prioritize their relationship with God, knowing that it is the only thing that will truly last. We are also reminded in Second Corinthians 418, so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. A godly person understands that the things we can see in this world are temporary, but the things we cannot see are eternal.

Sign number three 

A godly person produces fruits. The fruits we produce indicate whether we are truly a godly person or whether we are trying to keep up appearances. Galatians five 2223 but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things. There is no law. And notice, my friends, that these fruits are not things that we can produce on our own. They are the result of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. As we continue to yield, these fruits become more pronounced in our lives. We will be continuously transformed. So we think and act differently from who and what we used to be. As much as growth is intentional, it's also not a day's job. Nobody grows into being an adult in one day, and no one develops into a godly person in one day. At that moment, we are justified, which means we are declared righteous by God. But sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, transforming us more and more into the image of Christ. Becoming a godly person involves a willingness to submit to God's will and allow him to change us. This process requires us to acknowledge and repent of our sin, to study God's Word, to pray, to fellowship with other believers, and to serve others.

 It is a daily process that requires discipline, perseverance, and faith. The Bible tells us that we are to be holy as God is holy. This is a high standard and we will never attain it in this life. However, God is more concerned with the direction of our lives than our perfection. As we submit to him and allow him to work in us, we will become more like Christ. The process of sanctification can be painful at times. We may have to confront sin in our lives that we have been ignoring or hiding. We may have to let go of things that are holding us back from following God's plan for our lives. But the end result is worth it. As we become more like Christ. We will experience greater joy, peace, and fulfillment in our lives. The fruits of the spirit will be more evident. To be a godly person means that we have surrendered our lives to Christ, and we are allowing him to transform us from the inside out. We are constantly seeking to know him more through prayer, studying His word, and spending time in fellowship with other believers. And as we do this, the Holy Spirit begins to produce these fruits in us. But it is important to understand that being a godly person does not mean that we are perfect, or that we never make mistakes.

 It is a process of growth and transformation and we will stumble and fall along the way. But the difference is that as godly people, we are quick to repent and turn back to God. We recognize our need for him, and we seek his forgiveness and his strength to keep going. And as we continue to grow in Christ, the fruits of the spirit become more evident in our lives. We begin to love others more deeply, to have joy even in difficult circumstances, to experience peace that passes understanding, to be patient with those around us, to show kindness and goodness to others. To remain faithful even in the midst of trials, to exhibit gentleness in our interactions with others, and to exercise self control in our thoughts, words, and actions. My friends, being a godly person is not easy, but it is the most rewarding journey we can embark on as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. We begin to produce good fruits that bring glory to God and bless those around us. So let us press on in our journey of sanctification, knowing that the God who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.