Reflection of the message, “The Power to Live Differently,” by Steve Robinson
Some messages reach deeper than instruction—they uncover the very tension between who we were and who we’re becoming. When I heard Steve Robinson preach “The Power to Live Differently,” it struck me that freedom in Christ isn’t the end of the story; it’s the beginning of transformation. We often celebrate being “set free,” yet struggle to live free—torn between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
If your testimony feels unfinished right now—if you’re walking through a season where your choices, habits, or heart still feel divided—this message offers more than correction. It offers direction. God isn’t finished with your story; He’s teaching you how to live differently through His Spirit. And what may feel like failure could be the very soil where the fruit of transformation begins to grow.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Gal. 5:1 NIV)
This message was the final part of Steve Robinson’s teaching series through the book of Galatians—a study focused on how grace empowers us to live free. Week by week, he had been unpacking Paul’s letter, showing how believers are no longer bound by religious law but invited into a life led by the Spirit. In this closing message, he brought it all together by asking what that freedom looks like in daily life.
He explained that Christian freedom is not permission to do whatever we want; it’s the power to live the way God designed us to live. Before Christ, we were enslaved to sin and self. But now, through Him, we’ve been set free to serve God and love others. “Christian freedom doesn’t mean we’re free to do whatever we want—it means we’re no longer enslaved to sin,” he said.
Personal Reflection:
I’ve learned that my freedom in Christ is a stewardship, not a license. When I start to live carelessly, I lose peace and purpose. But when I choose obedience, I experience the kind of freedom that carries no shame. My trials often remind me that true liberty is found in surrender, not self-rule. (John 8:36 NIV)
“Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16 NIV)
Pastor Steve explained how every believer faces an internal battle between the flesh—our fallen human nature—and the Spirit, who leads us into truth and righteousness. He explained that what we feed will grow. If we feed the flesh through sinful habits or negative influences, we drift from God. But if we feed the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and fellowship, we strengthen our walk with Christ.
Then he challenged us: “What are you putting in your mind? Because what you put in your mind pushes you toward the Spirit or toward the flesh.” Our choices in media, relationships, and thoughts determine which nature leads.
Personal Reflection:
This truth hit home for me. When I’m weighed down by worry or temptation, I can usually trace it back to what I’ve been feeding my mind. I’ve found that starting my day in God’s Word realigns my heart before the world gets a voice. Spiritual victory begins in the thought life. (Romans 8:5–6 NIV)
“Guard against your fleshly weaknesses.” (Gal. 5:19–21 NIV)
Pastor Steve listed what Paul called the works of the flesh—behaviors like impurity, jealousy, anger, and selfish ambition. What he said was a gut-punch! He described sin as “trying to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way.” It’s our attempt to fill a God-shaped void with things that only He can satisfy.
He also shared practical wisdom: build boundaries around your weaknesses. If certain environments or people trigger sin, avoid them. “That’s not legalism,” he said, “that’s wisdom.”
Personal Reflection:
I know my own weak points. Pride, ambition, and independence often surface when I think I can handle life on my own. Over time, I’ve learned to “guard the gate” through accountability, worship, and honesty with God. Every time I humble myself, the Lord strengthens me to live differently. (James 1:14–15 NIV)
“Stay connected to the Vine.” (Gal. 5:22–25 NIV)
Next, he contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He said, “This fruit is the byproduct of staying connected to the Vine.” Just as an apple grows because it’s attached to the tree, spiritual fruit grows naturally when we remain connected to Christ through the Holy Spirit.
We can’t manufacture godly character by trying harder—it’s produced through our relationship with the Holy Spirit. “Since we live by the Spirit,” Paul wrote, “let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25 NIV)
Personal Reflection:
When I’m walking through hardship, I can tell whether I’m abiding in Christ by the kind of fruit that’s showing up in my attitude. Trials and Tribulations often reveal whether we’re connected to the Vine or trying to grow on my own. The more I yield, the more His peace takes root. (John 15:5 NIV)
Living Differently Starts With Staying Connected
Freedom in Christ isn’t about breaking rules—it’s about breaking chains. The power to live differently comes from walking daily with the Holy Spirit and guarding what shapes your heart and mind. True transformation happens not by striving, but by staying connected to Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
- What are you feeding your mind—things that nurture your flesh or your spirit?
- Have you built spiritual boundaries to protect your weaknesses?
- Is the fruit of your life sweet to those around you, or has disconnection left you empty?
- How might God be using your current trial to deepen your dependence on Him and strengthen your testimony?
Let your freedom lead you not into self-fulfillment, but into Spirit-filled living—because the greatest witness is a life that looks different from the world, yet full of God’s love and power
Watch the full message below.
Steve Robinson is a pastor, speaker, and author with a ministry spanning the globe—including seven Church of the King locations in the United States, a new location in Cape Town, South Africa, a thriving online campus, and daily radio and television broadcasts. He is a graduate of Tulane University, holds a master’s degree from The King’s Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
Pastor Steve serves on the board of Equip, a worldwide leadership organization led by John Maxwell, and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is the author of Don’t Sway In The Delay, Decide To Thrive, Perspective Shift, Extraordinary Living, Simple Prayer, and Hope Again.Pastor Steve’s passion is to see people who are far from God reached and discipled into fully-devoted followers of Christ. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in a suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana and are blessed with four children and one son-in-law—Isabelle and her husband Stone, Conrad, William, and Annaliese. You can learn more about him at steverobinson.com.
