I. Walking by the Spirit Overcomes the Desires of the Flesh
Galatians 5:16-18 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Flesh (v. 13) = Things that I please (v. 17) è Biting and devouring (v. 15) = Under the law (v. 18)
Spirit (v. 16) = Serving through love (v. 13) è Fulfilling the Law (v. 14) = Not under the Law (v. 18)
A. Walking by the Spirit = responding properly to the Spirit’s work (v. 16)
Living according to the Flesh = living under the control and according to the values of the world which is in rebellion against God
Living according to the Spirit = living under the control and according to the values of the Holy Spirit
1. Repentance for the conviction of sin resulting in salvation
John 16:7-11 - But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
2. Commitment to the Church because the Spirit baptized us into the body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
3. Proper response for the ongoing application of biblical truth
John 16:13-15 - But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
1 Corinthians 2:14 - But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
4. Security due to His indwelling and sealing
Romans 8:9 - However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
Ephesians 4:30 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
5. Faithful service according to His desires and gifting
Romans 12:6-8 - Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
6. Commitment to the study of the Word knowing that is how we are filled by the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-21 - And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
7. Faithful prayer knowing the Spirit prays
Romans 8:26-27 - In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
B. While opposition is present, there is optimism for victory through the Spirit (vv. 17-18)
Galatians 5:16 - …you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
II. We Can Know When We Carry Out the Desires of the Flesh
Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
A. The fifteen items include categories of immoral, religious, and inappropriate relational behavior (vv. 19-20a)
B. The list is not exhaustive (v. 21)
C. Remember that anytime our life fits these words, we are living like those who do not know Christ (v. 21)
Galatians 5:21 - …those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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