WALK BY THE SPIRIT I. WALK BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT Gal. 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE- THE SPIRIT EMPOWERED LIFE IS THE LIFE OF FREEDOM II. FLESH AND THE SPIRIT- THE STRUGGLE OF LIFE Gal. 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. FIRE BIBLE 5:17 THE SPIRIT THE SINFUL NATURE. The spiritual conflict within believers involves the whole person mind, body and spirit. The struggle is whether they will give in to their own sinful desires and yield to sin s control, or whether they will surrender to the Spirit s demands and continue under Christ s authority and control. The battlefield is within each Christian, and the conflict will continue throughout their earthly lives if they are to reign with Christ in the future. However, by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and by following his guidance, a Christian will overcome his or her own ungodly desires and win the battle over the sinful nature (v. 16).
III. BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT- OVERCOMING THE FLESH AND THE LAW Gal. 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT COMMENTARY Yet to be free from the law does not mean one can live lawlessly. Liberty must not be construed as license. For these reasons Paul commands that the Galatians not use their freedom to indulge the sinful nature. The word for indulge (aphorme) is actually a noun, not a verb. It means a starting point or a base of operation. The Galatians must not use their freedom in Christ as a launch pad for the sinful nature. What is the flesh? It is that aspect of human nature that continually leads to sin. It is completely egocentric, hostile to the Spirit, and has no concern for one s neighbor. Herein lies the crux of the issue of Galatians 5:13. What should guide the Christian life now that we have been freed from the harsh disciplinarian of the law? Paul s response to this question is paradoxical. He claims that Christian freedom is a type of slavery. For the law of the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2) enslaves one to serve his or her neighbor in love (Gal. 5:13). Thus divine love empowered by the Holy Spirit is the only rule or law the Galatians have to follow. IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT LIBERATES FROM THE LAW AND THE FLESH
IV. WORKS OF THE FLESH Gal. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Gal. 5:21 envy,* drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. V. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal. 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 1. LOVE - CHRIST'S LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS LOVE FOR US 2. JOY - CHRIST'S ENJOYMENT OF THE FATHER AND THE JOY OF HARVEST 3. PEACE - THE PEACE OF GOD HIMSELF
4. PATIENCE - THE LONG-SUFFERING OF CHRIST SEEN ST CALVARY 5. KINDNESS - THE QUALITY SEEN IN CHRIST TO THE HURTING 6. GOODNESS. - THE DESCRIPTION OR ESSENCE OF GOD 7. FAITHFULNESS - THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF CHRIST 8. Gentleness - MEEKNESS - CONDESCENSION OF CHIST 9. SELF CONTROL - THE SINLESSNESS OF CHRIST VI. DEALING WITH THE FLESH Gal. 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Rom. 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.