The Flesh vs. the Spirit
Tim Rice
November 3, 2024

Galatians 5:16-25 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Intro: Why is “isolation” in prison a punishment?

SOURCE OF LIFE
How are we inherently designed for connection? Both with our Maker and our neighbors?

EVIDENCE OF WHAT?
How do we resist God’s good design for us?

“THERE IS A STREAM!”
How is the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ not chiefly ethical guidelines?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD as the Giver of life! Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for His Presence, the goodness of His commands, His power, and His leadership (see Psalm 23, the LORD is a Shepherd who leads us).

2 - How are you spiritually barren, fractured relationally, or morally reckless? Confess your willfulness to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and to change your heart to truly repent and trust in Him.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for coming to rescue us. Thank Him for obeying His Father about a tree and its fruit (the Cross and our redemption) so that we could be saved for our disobedience about a tree and its fruit (the Garden and our sin).

4 - Who do you know that shows very little fruit of the Holy Spirit (and it may be you)? Pray for them, asking the Lord to help them turn from their pride and unbelief to trust Jesus to give them life.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you His fruit of love. Pray for the Spirit’s help in responding faithfully to His Presence, Authority, Power, and Direction, especially by the means He has given us to help you grow.