Two Pathways Galatians 5:16-25

Have you heard the old Flip Wilson saying, “The devil made me do it!”? That was his excuse all the time on his tv show. That is not true, of course, Satan does not make us do anything. He puts the temptation in front of us and we carry it out ourselves. We have two pathways we can take. We can look at them in these passages.

If the Christian life looks too hard, we must remember that we are not called to live it by ourselves. With all this going on in us, we have to make a decision. We have two choices in our life, we can look at them in these passages.

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 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.

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.

, 24-26 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

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4 NU omits adultery

5 sexual immorality

6 NU omits murders

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7 meekness

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

WALKING THE RIGHT PATHWAY

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.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

24 And those who are Christ’s fhave crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 gIf we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 hLet us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Introduction: Jesus spoke of the 2 possible pathways through this life. In , He said that there is one pathway that leads unto life and another that leads unto death.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

3 NU, M How narrow …!

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Jesus makes it crystal clear that when we enter the narrow way, we are saved by grace and are headed to Heaven, while all those who remain in the broad way are headed to Hell. Now, as Christians, we can never enter into death, , but we can find ourselves walking on the wrong pathway.

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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.

We know that becoming a Christian does not mean that we cease to sin, While we have literally passed from death unto life as the Bible says, a dead, ineffective and fruitless spiritual life will always be the result of walking the wrong pathway.

On the other hand, to walk in the right pathway is to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord. It is to be fruitful and effective in all that we do for His glory. It is to experience that abundant life of which Jesus spoke in

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

We do not have to walk down the wrong road in misery, we can have an abundant life.

*****These verses that we will read this morning will tell us all that we need to know about the difference between the two pathways we can choose to walk in life.....

These verses that we have read this morning tell us all that we need to know about the difference between the two pathways we can choose to walk in life. Therefore, let's look together at these verses this morning and see the lessons that can be gleaned as we think about Walking The Right Pathway.

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 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.

I. THE PATHWAY OF SPIRITUAL DISASTER

*****Paul is telling us in these verses how to stay pleasing to God by living on the power of the Holy Spirit and not our own power.

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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.

I. The Pathway of Spiritual Disaster [Life in the Flesh]

A. v.17 The Flesh is Opposed to the Spirit

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11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts mwhich war against the soul,

1. We have a war going on inside of us that only God, the Holy Spirit can control completely.

We have a war going on inside of us that only God, the Holy Spirit can control completely. We think we are in control a lot of the time, but we are not. We want to think that we are in control of our lives and our destiny, but we are only trying to fool ourselves. We like to think we know where we are headed and how we are going to get there.

A. v.17 THE FLESH IS OPPOSED TO THE SPIRIT (Ill. There is a warfare going on in your life - Ill. Paul, ) (Ill. The flesh seeks to hinder prayer, study, witness, faithfulness, obedience, ECT.) (Ill. The Christian life is not a playground, it is a battlefield! - ) B. v.19-21a THE FLESH IS OPEN TO ANY SIN (Ill. Man is capable of anything that can be imagined and much that cannot!)(Ill. Susan Smith; O.J. Simpson, ECT!) (Ill. Never say, "It will never happen to me!" ) (Ill. Peter - ; David - ) (Ill. The flesh is capable of anything - without exception! - Ill. )

We think we are in control a lot of the time, but we are not. We want to think that we are in control of our lives and our destiny, but we are only trying to fool ourselves. We like to think we know where we are headed and how we are going to get there.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.We have a war going on inside of us that only God, the Holy Spirit can control completely. We think we are in control a lot of the time, but we are not. We want to think that we are in control of our lives and our destiny, but we are only trying to fool ourselves. We like to think we know where we are headed and how we are going to get there.

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, We think we are in control a lot of the time, but we are not. We want to think that we are in control of our lives and our destiny, but we are only trying to fool ourselves. We like to think we know where we are headed and how we are going to get there.

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

We think we are in control a lot of the time, but we are not. We want to think that we are in control of our lives and our destiny, but we are only trying to fool ourselves. We like to think we know where we are headed and how we are going to get there.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

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Have you heard the old Flip Wilson saying, “The devil made me do it!”? That was his excuse all the time on his tv show. That is not true, of course, Satan does not make us do anything. He puts the temptation in front of us and we carry it out ourselves. We have two pathways we can take. We can look at them in these passages.

B. v.19-21a The Flesh is open to any Sin 1. Man is capable of anything that can be imagined and much that cannot! Never say, "It will never happen to me!"

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

The flesh is capable of anything - without exception! - Ill. )

2. The flesh is capable of anything - without exception!

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.The flesh is capable of anything - without exception! - Ill. )

C. v.21b The Flesh is Ordained to Judgement

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

18 For I know that pin me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

C. The Flesh is Ordained to Judgement....v21b that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.C. v.21b The Flesh is Ordained to Judgement

3. To prevent you from getting the wrong idea, God is not saying that a slip in any of these areas will prevent you from getting into Heaven. The verb “practice” in this verse indicates an ongoing lifestyle. In other words, if you life is given to these activities, then you are hell bound. If you have slipped, or happen to slip here from time to time, it isn't alright, but it should be repented of and if it is, it will be forgiven by God, .

1. To prevent you from getting the wrong idea, God is not saying that a slip in any of these areas will prevent you from getting into Heaven. The verb “practice” in this verse indicates an ongoing lifestyle. In other words, if you life is given to these activities, then you are hell bound. If you have slipped, or happen to slip here from time to time, it isn't alright, but it should be repented of and if it is, it will be forgiven by God, .

II. The Pathway of the Spirit Life.

A. v.16 The Spirit gives us victory over our lusts.

A. v.16 THE SPIRIT GIVES US VICTORY OVER OUR LUSTS

1. To walk in, means to surrender to - ; We will be lead by either our flesh, or the Holy Spirit. Which one wins depends upon which one we yield to -

16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Therefore, either my flesh will win, , or the Spirit will win, .) 2. The Spirit will defeat the flesh if we will allow Him to -

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

(Ill. - We still have a say in what we allow in our lives!) (Ill. We need to avoid places, people, things, images, music, anything that brings temptation to us! If we mess around with it, we will give in to it! !)

We still have a say in what we allow in our lives! We need to avoid places, people, things, images, music, anything that brings temptation to us! If we mess around with it, we will give in to it! Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. (Ill. - We still have a say in what we allow in our lives!) (Ill. We need to avoid places, people, things, images, music, anything that brings temptation to us! If we mess around with it, we will give in to it! !)

27 Can a man take fire to his bosom,

B. v.18 The Spirit gives us victory over the Law.

And his clothes not be burned?

B. v.18 The Spirit gives us victory over the Law.

1. The purpose of the law was primarily twofold:

a. To reveal sin - 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

b. To condemn the sinner as guilty.

b. To condemn the sinner as guilty -

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.b. To condemn the sinner as guilty -

c. We are commanded by God's law, (Word), but no longer condemned by it! This verse declares the truth that the Law was made for those who walk after the flesh.

*****To be "under the Law", then, is to be under a state of condemnation!

C. v.22-25 The Spirit gives us victory over this Life.

Notice, the flesh produces "works" - A life of labor (active) In the life of the believer, the Spirit always produces fruit. These are characteristics which are to be present in the life of every believer, without exception!

1. Love - God and man 2. Joy - Constant delight in God -

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, pand send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

A Hindu trader in India once asked a missionary, "What do you put on your face to make it shine?" With surprise the man of God answered, "I don't put anything on it!" His questioner began to lose patience and said emphatically, "Yes, you do! All of you who believe in Jesus seem to have it. I've seen it in the towns of Agra and Surat, and even in the city of Bombay." Suddenly the Christian understood, and his face glowed even more as he said, "Now I know what you mean, and I will tell you the secret. It's not something we put on from the outside but something that comes from within. It's the reflection of the light of God in our hearts."

3. Peace - When the Spirit rules in our lives, we will experience peace in three areas of life: with God, with others and with our self.

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 14:27. 4. Longsuffering - Willing to accept and bear injury

4. Longsuffering - Willing to accept and bear injury

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

3 Take heed to yourselves. cIf your brother sins 3against you, drebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns 4to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

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3 NU omits against you

18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

5. Gentleness - A sweetness of attitude - Easy to get along with and easy to please. That is, not always griping and complaining, but ever kind and sweet. Gentleness is merely the attitude of kindness. 6. Goodness - A willingness to do good and help others

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My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 5. Gentleness - A sweetness of attitude - Easy to get along with and easy to please. That is, not always griping and complaining, but ever kind and sweet. Gentleness is merely the attitude of kindness. 6. Goodness - A willingness to do good and help others My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

7. Faith - Ability to trust in God and to be trusted by God and man - ; ; ;

2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.7. Faith - Ability to trust in God and to be trusted by God and man - ; ; ; . Every child of God should be faithful to God. Not because the preacher says so, but out of love for the Lord.

Every child of God should be faithful to God. Not because the preacher says so, but out of love for the Lord.

Christ has revealed the Father's grace to us "while we were yet sinners" (). Because of what He did on Calvary, we have been freed from sin's bondage and the condemnation of the law. May our love for Him, more than fear, shame, or even duty, be the reason we want to do what's right.

Christ has revealed the Father's grace to us "while we were yet sinners" (). Because of what He did on Calvary, we have been freed from sin's bondage and the condemnation of the law. Unlike those prisoners, we don't have to return to confinement. Yet the same motive that kept them from running away should also account for our faithful service for Christ. May our love for Him, more than fear, shame, or even duty, be the reason we want to do what's right.

8. Meekness - Restraint - Power under control. Meekness is not weakness! Jesus was meek; Moses was "very meek" ; yet neither of these men would be considered weak.

9. Temperance - Self Control. Refusing to do those things you have in your power to do.

This fruit can never be truly counterfeited by an unbeliever. It is absolutely impossible for an unsaved person to possess all the fruit of the Spirit.

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.

10. v.24 - The Christian who flirts with the flesh is in effect playing with the dead, , "ye are dead.."; ; ; ! (Ill. The Holy Ghost will defeat our flesh and give us the victory over it as we surrender to Him! We are to so live as to give abundant evidence that we are alive in the Spirit and dead to the flesh.) 11. v.25 - If we say that we are saved then we should seek to walk like the Bible says that a saved person should walk and that is by His will and in the power of His Holy Spirit. Because if you are saved, then you are alive in the Spirit, whether you walk there or not! All God is saying is that we are to act like what we are. (Ill. All others members of creation understand this truth, wouldn't it be a blessing if men could?) (Ill. )

10. v.24 - The Christian who flirts with the flesh is in effect playing with the dead, , "ye are dead.."; ; ; ! The Holy Ghost will defeat our flesh and give us the victory over it as we surrender to Him! We are to so live as to give abundant evidence that we are alive in the Spirit and dead to the flesh.) 11. v.25 - If we say that we are saved then we should seek to walk like the Bible says that a saved person should walk and that is by His will and in the power of His Holy Spirit. Because if you are saved, then you are alive in the Spirit, whether you walk there or not! All God is saying is that we are to act like what we are.

Conclusion: Judge your life by the results it is bringing to pass. Are you bearing fruit to the glory of the Lord? Are you producing the works of the flesh? Regardless of your answer, you can begin, right now, being the Christian God wants you to be. All you have to do is "abide in Him". (Ill. The ease with which the branch abides. We make it harder than it is. Surrender and the battle will be finished!) Now, having with all that I have said on the table, on which Pathway do you find yourself?

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Conclusion: Judge your life by the results it is bringing to pass. Are you bearing fruit to the glory of the Lord? Are you producing the works of the flesh? Regardless of your answer, you can begin, right now, being the Christian God wants you to be. All you have to do is "abide in Him". We make it harder than it is. Surrender and the battle will be finished!

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The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.Conclusion: Judge your life by the results it is bringing to pass. Are you bearing fruit to the glory of the Lord? Are you producing the works of the flesh? Regardless of your answer, you can begin, right now, being the Christian God wants you to be. All you have to do is "abide in Him". (Ill. The ease with which the branch abides. We make it harder than it is. Surrender and the battle will be finished!) Now, having with all that I have said on the table, on which Pathway do you find yourself?