Living in the Spirit: The Power to Transform (Galatians 5:22–26)

Good morning, beloved. Today we continue our journey through Paul’s letter to the Galatians, focusing on Galatians 5:22–26. In this passage, Paul lays out the contrast between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh. He calls believers to live by the Spirit, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives. In Galatians 5, Paul paints a picture of two ways of life: one marked by the flesh and one marked by the Spirit. The choice between these two is the heart of the Christian life. We are called to crucify the desires of the flesh, to walk in the Spirit, and to bear fruit that reflects God’s nature.

Think about the way a fruit tree works. A healthy tree, rooted in good soil, produces abundant fruit. In the same way, when we are rooted in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will bear fruit that blesses the world around us. But just like a tree needs proper care to bear good fruit, we need to cultivate a life that is yielded to the Spirit’s work. Today, we will see that this fruit is not just a mark of our transformation, but also a pathway to true freedom in Christ.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

I. The Fruit of the Spirit: What it Is and What it Does.

Paul begins by listing the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22–23: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not just abstract qualities—they are characteristics of God’s very nature, now being shaped in us by the Holy Spirit.

Imagine a garden. If a gardener wants to grow fruit, they must carefully cultivate the soil, water the plants, and protect them from harmful weeds. In the same way, when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, He cultivates these virtues in us, not through human effort alone, but through His divine power.

Each of these virtues can be likened to a different kind of fruit:

Love is the foundational fruit, just as a tree's trunk supports all the branches. The love we experience in Christ is a love that is unconditional, sacrificial, and all-encompassing.

Joy comes not from external circumstances but from knowing Christ and His promises. It’s a deep, abiding joy that no situation can take away.

Peace is the tranquility of spirit that comes from knowing we are right with God, even when the world around us is in turmoil.

Longsuffering (Patience) is the ability to endure hardship with grace and to bear with others in their weaknesses.

Kindness and goodness are practical outpourings of God’s love in our relationships with others.

Faithfulness reflects God’s unwavering loyalty to us and calls us to be steady in our commitment to Him and to others.

Gentleness is the humility and tenderness with which we treat those around us.

Self-control empowers us to resist temptation and live in a way that honors God.

These characteristics are fruit—the result of the Spirit’s work in us, not merely a list of things to achieve through self-discipline. The Spirit transforms us as we surrender to Him, and this transformation overflows into our lives, touching others.

II. Crucifying the Flesh

In verse 24, Paul introduces a crucial truth: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” To truly walk in the Spirit, we must crucify the flesh—the sinful nature with all its desires and urges.

Think of a soldier on the battlefield. When the enemy surrenders, it’s not enough for the soldier to simply put the enemy in a holding cell—they must defeat and destroy the enemy. In the same way, our old sinful nature must be "crucified," meaning it must lose its power over us.

Crucifying the flesh isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a daily decision to deny our sinful desires and choose the life of the Spirit. We crucify the flesh by surrendering our passions and desires to Christ, trusting that His Spirit will empower us to overcome them.

III. Living and Walking by the Spirit.

Verse 25 states: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” This is not a passive call—it’s a dynamic, active walk. To live by the Spirit means that the Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual life, and to keep in step with the Spirit means to live in constant obedience and partnership with Him.

Think of a dance. In a well-choreographed dance, the two partners move in perfect harmony, each step in sync with the other. If one person moves out of rhythm, the dance becomes awkward and clumsy. In the same way, when we walk by the Spirit, we must stay in step with Him. He leads, we follow. When we are out of step, life becomes difficult, but when we are in sync with the Spirit, we experience peace and purpose.

To walk in the Spirit means to follow His guidance, to let His Word shape our thoughts and actions, and to surrender our will to His. It’s a daily walk of surrender, of letting the Spirit lead us moment by moment.

IV. The Call to Humility and Unity.

Finally, Paul gives a warning in verse 26: “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” The fruit of the Spirit should humble us, not make us proud. When we bear good fruit, we should remember that it is the Spirit’s work, not our own achievement.

Imagine a tree that bears fruit but begins to boast about how good it is. The tree didn’t create the fruit—it’s simply the vessel through which the fruit came to be. In the same way, when we bear the fruit of the Spirit, we should not boast in our own abilities but give glory to God for His work in us.

Humility and unity are essential for living in the Spirit. When we walk by the Spirit, we recognize that we are all equal recipients of God’s grace, and we are called to build each other up, not provoke or envy one another.

As we reflect on this passage, we realize that living by the Spirit is not about following a set of rules—it’s about experiencing a radical transformation that leads to a life of freedom. The Spirit doesn’t just change our actions, but our hearts, producing fruit that brings glory to God and blessing to those around us.

Think about the difference between a prisoner and a free person. A prisoner is bound by prison bars, unable to do what they want, but a free person is not constrained by those prison bars. When we walk by the Spirit, we experience the freedom Christ purchased for us on the cross. We are free from the power of sin, free to love, free to forgive, free to live in peace, and free to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

So, let us live by the Spirit. Let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest of righteousness. And may the fruit of the Spirit be evident in our lives, as we reflect the character of Christ to a world that desperately needs to see His love, joy, peace, and grace.