I heard a quote of this today and it sparked a realization.
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Galatians 5:16-18
Paul has been writing about the laws Jews were required to follow. Some Jews who had converted to Christianity thought the laws should be carried over and enforced upon the Gentiles (non-Jews) Christians as well. After conferring with the apostles in Jerusalem, a consensus is reached that the old rules and regulations of Jewish tradition were not to be enforced upon the Gentiles, nor required by former Jews.
Paul delivers this message to the churches he travels to and explains it in part of this letter. The sentence I made bold is what caught my ear. It is the reason we are not subjected to religious law; mainly that we have the Spirit. The law was given to be a guide to righteousness. Part of the Spirit's work in us is to do the same only on a more intimate level. If we are led by the Spirit, we will have no need for the law because the Spirit will lead us to live in accordance with God's Will.
We can be sure of this because the Spirit wants what is contrary to the sinful nature; that is, what is contrary to God's Will. The Spirit of God will never lead us to do anything other than that which is in agreement with God's Will. It can even go beyond the law to guide us in ways the law does not. The law does not offer suggestions whether to let my friend who has lost a loved one simply cry on my shoulder without speaking or if I should offer empathy and encouragement. Both are good but one may be better for my friend at that moment. The law gives no guidance but the Spirit can.
In that case, I am able to better serve and comfort my friend because the Spirit is able to move and offer advice in narrower circumstances than the law which is broad and general.
tl;dr : When we are led by the Spirit, we are not lead into sin but into Godlier living. The Spirit is able to do this with greater clarity than the law. Following the Spirit will not only end up obeying the law but surpassing it in the end.
