Flesh vs. Spirit
Galatians • Sermon • Submitted
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INTRO:
INTRO:
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I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
The Internal War
The Internal War
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:
God’s Spirit indwells each of us:
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
While alive, we all have our Flesh
not speaking of a physical body alone.
It is our mind, will, emotions, etc
It is our sin nature which resides in the flesh and leads to lust, and lust to sin.
The Spirit and our Flesh war against each other.
any given moment
any action, attitude, or thought is either going to be from the Spirit or from the flesh.
Our flesh opposes the work of God’s Spirit
It
Paul gives the secret to victory to the Galatians
Walk in the Spirit and you won’t fulfil the lust of the flesh.
walk- peripateo
continuous action and habitual lifestyle.
be walking around in the Spirit
Speaks of a total submission to the Spirit’s control
He reminds them, the leadership of the Spirit is superior to the law.
rather than cold obedience to the law out of obligation, God writes His law on our heart by the prompting of the Spirit.
we can truly understand the word of God due to the illumination of the Spirit
Works of the Flesh
Works of the Flesh
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul next describes the works of the flesh.
These works are what the unredeemed live by.
Their appetites control them
Three areas include here: sex, religion and relationships
Sex:
sex
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
adultery - sexual relations outside of marriage between 1 man and 1 woman
fornication (Pornei)
all illicit sexual activity: adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest an prostitution
uncleaness
Lewdness- excessive behavior or lack of restraint
Religion
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
Galtiations 5:20
Idolatry- worshipping idols
sorcery- pharmakeia- pharmacy!
medicines especially mood altering used in pagan and occult practices
heresies- false doctrines of all types
Relationships (many tied to out of control anger)
Hatred- opposite of love, viewing them as enemies
Contentions- strife stemming from hatred
Jealousies- hateful resentment
outbursts of wrath- sudden, unrestrained expressions of hostility
selfish ambitions- self serving and self seeking.
Putting our ambitions and power above others needs
dissensions
to stand against others
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
:
Notice how Paul describes it
people who embrace and practice these things aren’t bound for the Kingdom!
THIS DOES NOT mean if I get angry and have an outburst of wrath I’m lost or loose my salvation.
It means, if that is my lifestyle, I had better do some soul searching!
It means at the very least, I’m living and acting in the lfesh like lost people!
So much harm has been caused by such carnal Christians.
All mean and bitter actions to each other come from our rotten flesh!
When we attack and tear at each other in anger, we are giving in to the flesh and ignoring and even grieving the Spirit of God.
When we indulge our every sexual appetite, we live in sin and opposition to God.
Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
In sharp contrast to these is the fruit of the Spirit
This passage describes the motives and character of the redeemed who are living under the Spirit’s control.
We will love each other, an in so doing, it will change they way we live.
The fruit:
love, agape- choice to be committed to each other no matter what
respect and devotion
joy- happiness from God’s unchanging promises
comes from knowing He is in control and this world isn’t our home.
Far beyond emotional happiness.
peace- inner calm from confidence in our salvation
longsuffering- ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the willingness to accept irritating or painful situations.
kindness- tender concern for others
a desire to treat others as Jesus does
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
That is kindness!
goodness- moral and spiritual behavior which is excellent
faithfulness- loyalty and trustworthiness
gentleness- meekness, a humble and gentle attitude,
goodness
no desire for vengeance and retribution
self-control- restraining the flesh which fights all the time to burst out and cause a mess.
Final word
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
we are to crucify the flesh!
FIGHT IT
when it wins a battle, REPENT
Return under the Spirit’s control
Never let your guard down, especially in difficult situations!
when stressed, when tensions are high, or we are attacked, our brute nature says : lash out! Indulge your flesh.
Dear children of God, we must fight that!
Paul gets the final word this evening:
Gal 5:
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.