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. —Galatians 5:16-26
Big Idea: The Spiritual battle we are in is won through
There is a spiritual
1. The Battle for Freedom (5:16-21)
- a. Peripateo, present tense imperative: “Keep on walking” (v.16)
- b. The internal struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. (v.17)
- c. The flesh keeps you from what you want (v.17)
Resisting the flesh isn’t about
- d. The Spirit frees you from the law (v.18)
- e. The works of the flesh (v.19-21)
- f. The consequence of the habit of the flesh (v.21; 1 Cor 6:9-11)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. —1 Corinthians 6:9-11
2. The Fruit of Freedom (5:22-26)
- a. The contrast of working and trusting (v.19-23)
- b. The beautiful qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates within us (v.22-23)
- c. An execution of the flesh means killing its desires. (v.24)
- d. Stoicheo, “live” : The learning process to live by the spirit (v.25)
- e. Make no room in your mind for conceit, provoking, or envy (v.26)
The Spirit helps us to
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?
How would you describe the internal struggle between the flesh and the Spirit? In what ways does the flesh keep us from what we truly desire, as mentioned in verse 17?
Share a personal experience of how surrendering to the Spirit has helped you overcome a struggle with the flesh or cultivate the fruit of the Spirit.
How does the Holy Spirit help us see others as God sees them, and how can this lead to a deeper love for others?