Episode 910
Embracing the Spirit: Liberation Beyond Self-Interest
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The discourse surrounding Galatians 5:16-26 presents a compelling exploration of the dichotomy between a life dictated by self-interest and one guided by the Spirit. The Apostle Paul articulates that the essence of true freedom is found not in the pursuit of individual desires but in the collective embrace of spiritual guidance. This pivotal scripture challenges us to confront the pervasive influences of contemporary society that prioritize individualism and consumerism over authentic community engagement. Paul's admonition to live freely, animated by the Spirit, serves as a profound reminder of the transformative potential inherent in aligning our lives with divine principles rather than succumbing to the relentless tides of self-indulgence.
As the discussion unfolds, I draw attention to the stark contrasts Paul delineates between the fruits of the Spirit—qualities such as compassion, loyalty, and affection—and the detrimental consequences of a self-centered existence. The vivid descriptions of societal fragmentation and emotional turmoil that arise from unchecked self-interest underscore the urgency of heeding this scriptural call. It becomes clear that the fruits of the Spirit cannot be cultivated in isolation but require an intentional commitment to nurturing relationships and fostering community. This realization invites us to examine our own lives critically and to consider how we might contribute to a more harmonious and interconnected society.
Moreover, I encourage listeners to engage in introspection regarding their lifestyle choices and the ways in which they may inadvertently perpetuate cycles of want and dissatisfaction. By identifying specific patterns that detract from communal well-being, we can take actionable steps towards embodying the principles espoused in Galatians. Whether through participating in community service, fostering genuine connections with others, or challenging the individualistic narratives that permeate our culture, the call to live a Spirit-led life resonates with timeless relevance. Ultimately, the pursuit of a life characterized by spiritual freedom is not merely a personal endeavor but a collective journey toward fostering a more compassionate and unified existence.
Takeaways:
- The teachings of Galatians emphasize the necessity of living in accordance with the Spirit rather than succumbing to self-interest.
- Authentic community is cultivated through the fruits of the Spirit, which cannot be achieved through individual effort alone.
- Paul's contrast between a Spirit-led life and a self-driven existence challenges modern consumerism and individualism profoundly.
- The podcast encourages listeners to identify and change behaviors aligned with self-interest toward a more community-oriented lifestyle.
- Living God's way introduces gifts into our lives that promote affection, compassion, and loyalty among individuals.
- The episode articulates that true freedom is found not in self-indulgence but in living harmoniously with God's Spirit.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Living in the Spirit, Freedom Beyond Self Interest A Study of Galatians 5:16 26 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello good people, Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with Daily Bible Refresh giving you the Word of God in an audible fashion every single day.
Speaker A:We usually bring these episodes to you before 6:00am Eastern Time, where you can find us@voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:We give you the Daily Word from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year sea of a three year cycle and you can pick that up there.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible understandable.
Speaker A:We use the New Testament, the Message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you three points to ponder and Apple will be giving you an action step to take.
Speaker A:And we do all that in under 10 minutes or get into our reading for today which is from Galatians 5:16 26.
Speaker A:Reading from the Message My counsel My counsel is live freely, animated and motivated by God's Spirit.
Speaker A:Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness.
Speaker A:For there is a root of sinful self interest in us that is at odds with the free spirit.
Speaker A:Just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness.
Speaker A:These two ways of life are contrary to each other so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day.
Speaker A:When you don't choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law dominated existence, it is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time.
Speaker A:Repetitive, loveless cheap sex, a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage, frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness, trinket, gods, magic show religion, paranoid loneliness, cutthroat competition and all consuming yet never satisfied wants a brutal temper, an impotence to love or to be loved.
Speaker A:Divided homes and divided lives, small minded and lopsided pursuits, the vicious habit of de personalizing everything into a rival.
Speaker A:Uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions.
Speaker A:Ugly parodies of community.
Speaker A:I could go on and on.
Speaker A:This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know.
Speaker A:If you use your freedom this way you will not inherit God's kingdom.
Speaker A:But what happens when we live God's way?
Speaker A:He brings gifts into our lives much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard.
Speaker A:Things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.
Speaker A:We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart and A conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.
Speaker A:We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Speaker A:Legalism is helpless in bringing this about.
Speaker A:It only gets in the way among those who belong to Christ.
Speaker A:Everything connected with getting our own way and and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good, crucified.
Speaker A:Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications at every detail in our lives.
Speaker A:This means we do not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us is better or another worse.
Speaker A:We have far more interesting things to do with our lives.
Speaker A:Each of us is an original I just love this piece of scripture.
Speaker A:It's a It's Paul's powerful contrast about a life driven by self interest and a life driven by the Spirit.
Speaker A:A message that speaks directly to our contemporary struggles with consumerism and individualism and authentic community.
Speaker A:Lets talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:One of them is going beyond a binary or this or that thinking.
Speaker A:Paul isn't setting up a simple good evil dichotomy, but he's rather describing two ways of being in the world.
Speaker A:The Spirit led life he describes isn't about following rigid rules or achieving moral perfection.
Speaker A:Instead, it's about moving beyond the confines of self interest toward a more expansive way of being.
Speaker A:This challenges both religious legalism and secular individualism.
Speaker A:Another point is about systematic implications.
Speaker A:When Paul describes getting your own way all the time, he easily could be describing modern capitalism's effects on society.
Speaker A:Things like, you know, cutthroat competition, all consuming yet never satisfied wants and depersonalizing everyone into arrival.
Speaker A:This isn't about individual behavior, but about systems that promote self interest over collective well being.
Speaker A:A third point to ponder is about authentic community.
Speaker A:The fruits of the Spirit affection, compassion, loyalty are inherently rational and relational.
Speaker A:They can't be achieved through individual effort alone, but emerge from genuine connection and mutual care.
Speaker A:This challenges both individualistic spirituality and performative religion, calling us towards authentic community engagement.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Identify one way your lifestyle might be caught up in what Paul calls here all consuming yet never satisfied wants.
Speaker A:Perhaps it's endlessly scrolling through online shopping or constant social media comparison of yourself to others or maybe some competitive thing in your career.
Speaker A:Choose a concrete way to step out of this pattern and toward community oriented living.
Speaker A:This might mean choosing joining some organization that provides aid or assistance in some way or another.
Speaker A:Or maybe participating in a community garden or simply sharing a meal with neighbors.
Speaker A:Many things that you can do.
Speaker A:We're going to come back and have a closing prayer in just a moment, but I did want you to know that we really care about your getting the Word of God into your life.
Speaker A:Both here on the Daily Bible Refresh and individually in your own Bible study.
Speaker A:We have a resource to help you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It's free to you just a few pages for a point by point process to help you do daily Bible study.
Speaker A:You pick it up@voiceofgoddaily.com I hope that you'll do that.
Speaker A:The ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the source of life and we live in a world that is constantly pulls us towards self interest and competition.
Speaker A:Help us resist the seductive message that happiness comes through consumption or comparison.
Speaker A:Guide us toward authentic unity where we can experience true freedom.
Speaker A:Not the false freedom of doing whatever we want, but the deep freedom of living in harmony with your spirit.
Speaker A:When we feel trapped in patterns of endless wanting and rivalry, remind us that another way is possible.
Speaker A:Help us grow the fruits of the Spirit in our lives and communities.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Always great to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Hope that you'll join me tomorrow.
Speaker A:I have a mission to get the audible word of God into 2 million years.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:Two things you can do subscribe to the podcast and invite others to join us.
Speaker A:We usually drop these episodes before 6am every single day.
Speaker A:You can find us at VoiceOfGod daily and all the podcast directories till tomorrow.
Speaker A:Good people.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
