Setting – Paul states the difference between living by the Spirit and living by the flesh
Content – Paul outlines the contrast between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. Following the desires of the flesh you will produce sinful results of (v. 19b-21a-NLT), “sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin…” Those that practice these fleshly acts (v. 21-NLT) “will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”.
In comparison if we are led by the Spirit we produce (v. 22b-23a) “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” And following these actions (v. 23) “there is no conflict with the law.”
We are able to deny the flesh because (v. 24) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Paul states it simply, (v. 25) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Paul concludes by saying that the Galatians need to be unified (v. 26-NLT) “Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another”, which would be living by the flesh.
Application – This is the great Spiritual thermometer section. We can easily tell if we are being led by the Spirit by seeing if our actions fall into the flesh or Spirit category. If we are practicing patience and self-control then we are being led by the Spirit. If we are seeing hostility, jealously, outburst of anger, self ambition, etc. then we are being led by the flesh.
We all struggle with the flesh, but we must remember that we “have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there”. The flesh is dead we must avoid trying to raise it back to life.
Content – Paul outlines the contrast between living by the flesh and living by the Spirit. Following the desires of the flesh you will produce sinful results of (v. 19b-21a-NLT), “sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin…” Those that practice these fleshly acts (v. 21-NLT) “will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”.
In comparison if we are led by the Spirit we produce (v. 22b-23a) “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” And following these actions (v. 23) “there is no conflict with the law.”
We are able to deny the flesh because (v. 24) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” Paul states it simply, (v. 25) “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Paul concludes by saying that the Galatians need to be unified (v. 26-NLT) “Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another”, which would be living by the flesh.
Application – This is the great Spiritual thermometer section. We can easily tell if we are being led by the Spirit by seeing if our actions fall into the flesh or Spirit category. If we are practicing patience and self-control then we are being led by the Spirit. If we are seeing hostility, jealously, outburst of anger, self ambition, etc. then we are being led by the flesh.
We all struggle with the flesh, but we must remember that we “have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there”. The flesh is dead we must avoid trying to raise it back to life.
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