Galatians 5:16

Dear Congregation, I don’t know precisely how the Spirit operates in our sanctification except that He directs us to the application of the gospel.

We have received “the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” ().

It is by the Spirit of the Lord that we are changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory ().

In the light of this provision, it should be our daily prayer “to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” ().

God has given us the infallible Guide to lead us to walk contrary to the flesh ().

Indeed, the promise is that if we walk in the Spirit, we “shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” ().

Paul’s argument is that since “we live in the Spirit,” we should “also keep in step with the Spirit” ().

The particular word for “walk” in this verse brings the issue down to the basics.

We are literally to walk in a straight line or row, step by step following the path set by the Holy Spirit.

The way of holiness is certainly not a game, but it does involve “following the Leader.”

In another well-known text Paul says, "And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:” ()

The analogy is clear and expressive.

To be drunk with wine affects a person’s walk, talk, and thought.

So to be under the influence of the Spirit will affect the way we walk and talk and think.

We must submit ourselves to that Holy influence and

follow God’s provision,

our faithful Companion,

relying on His might to lead us to victory.

Following the lead of the Holy Spirit and being under His influence will lead us

not only away from sin but also toward the positive marks of godliness:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, "gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” ()

Now this little power packed letter of Galatians has three penetrating purposes.

First, to emphasize again the very heart of the gospel,

justification by faith alone in Christ’s righteousness apart from the works of the law.

Second, to call the Galatian Christians to prove the reality of their spirituality through

living by faith in Christ,

a life in which the fruit of the Spirit would abound.

Third, to destroy the message of the Judaizers by showing that it was a false gospel.

After Paul (and probably Barnabas) evangelized the Galatians, missionaries of a different sort visited them.

These opponents of Paul believed that Jesus was the Messiah promised to the Jews, but

they saw the coming of the Jewish Messiah as no reason to doubt

that God’s will for their lives was still to be found in the Mosaic law.

God’s people were still the Jews or that God’s will for their lives was still to be found in the Mosaic law.

In their view, believing in Jesus as the Messiah was a first step if Gentiles were to be saved,

but it needed to be followed by circumcision and a commitment to observe the law of Moses.

So the writing of this letter was caused by the insidious influence that

was being exerted upon the Galatian churches by the dangerous teaching of these Judaizers.

For the Galatians to be circumcised would thus mean

binding themselves to a covenant that required fully observing its commands and

cutting themselves off from Christ and his grace.

"Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. "You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.” ()

The idea here is that by submitting to circumcision would bring an obligation to obey the entire law, moral and ceremonial.

To pursue righteousness, or to pursue a right standing with God

on the bases of your own doing is to become “alienated from Christ” .

One cannot, however, enjoy righteousness as a gift of God’s grace through faith

One cannot, however, enjoy righteousness as a gift of God’s grace through faith

while embarking on the very different path prescribed by the law.

However believers, though not “under the law” (5:18), are nonetheless to “walk by the Spirit” (5:16).

As they do so, God’s Spirit within them will produce fruit that no law condemns (5:22–23).

To understand our passage, we must understand something about the Spirit’s work in the church.

and a love that represents the true fulfillment of God’s law (5:14).

To understand our passage, we must understand something about the Spirit’s work in the church.

This is something that brother Brian ministered to us. Look back to chapter 3.

"I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by believing what you heard? "Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh? "Did you experience so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? "So then, does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law? Or is it by believing what you heard—” ()

In OT times, the Spirit of God came upon individual people at certain times to

enable them to perform crucial tasks with divine ability.

Ideally, however, all God’s people would possess God’s Spirit (), and

God promised that, at a future time of blessing, this would happen (; ).

Jesus repeated the promise (; ), and

Peter announced its fulfillment on the day of Pentecost ().

The blessing of the Spirit has been given as a “...seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.” ().

As in Acts, the initial coming of the Spirit upon the Galatians (when they believed the gospel message)

was marked by unmistakable signs of His presence ().

Paul finds it incredible that the Galatians, having “experienced so much” (v. 4) without “the works of the law,”

could now imagine that they needed to observe its mandates.

which were intended rather to serve as a “guardian” or “schoolmaster” (v. 24) of Israel

That’s not how you become holy...

until Christ came and the Spirit was given. (slow)

In 5:1-12 Paul makes a final appeal to the Galatians to not be circumcised,

warning them of the consequences of such an action.

And marvels of how they could’ve been persuaded to think otherwise!

Then in vv13-26 we find the alternative to living your life under the law is

not a life in which the flesh expresses itself w/out restraint, but

one that this actually directed and empowered by God’s Spirit!

With that background and a

bit more of an understanding of the ministry of the Spirit in the church we proceed to zero in on vv16-17.

The Counsel About our Walk

"I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.” ()

Paul links what he is about to say to the immediately preceding verses, in which he condemns strife and exhorts to love.

How are we going to keep from biting and devouring one another (spoken of in v15)?

Now he explains how it can be attained.

‘Walk in the Spirit,’ commands the apostle (5:16).

The verb employed means ‘walk about’ and thus ‘conduct yourselves’ or simply ‘live’.

The emphasis is upon the practical, day-to-day life of the believer,

upon his conduct and behavior.

This simple statement conveys a profound truth.

The outward conduct of the believer is to be dictated and controlled by an inward, spiritual principle.

It is not to be dictated by external laws, social conventions, herd instinct, peer pressure, the expectations of others, or the fear of what people will think. Nor will it be controlled by the sinful desires of the old Adamic nature. Instead, the true child of God is ‘led by the Spirit’ (; ).

His actions stem from a principle radically different from that which energizes the natural man or the old nature.

Looking again at v16, as we have seen before, ‘the flesh’ here means that unregenerate human nature with which we were born.

As a result of regeneration, the believer has a new nature, embodied in the ‘new man … created in righteousness and true holiness’ ().

But he is still encumbered with the old nature, which is called ‘the flesh’, because it resides in his mortal body and mind.

Other terminology used by the apostle to describe ‘the flesh’ includes ‘sin that dwells in me’ (, ), ‘the law [principle] of sin which is in my members’ (), and ‘this body of death’ ().

Our biblical ethics derive from the reality of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

They are not merely ‘spiritual’ with a small ‘s’; they are Spiritual, with a capital ‘S’.

Here we see the outworking of the believer’s identification with Christ,

As a result of regeneration, the believer has a new nature, embodied in the ‘new man … created in righteousness and true holiness’ (). But he is still encumbered with the old nature, which is called ‘the flesh’ by association, because it resides in his mortal body and mind. Other terminology used by the apostle to describe ‘the flesh’ includes ‘sin that dwells in me’ (, ), ‘the law [principle] of sin which is in my members’ (), and ‘this body of death’ ().

which Paul has already defined in unforgettable terms in "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ()

The Holy Spirit indwells believers and guides them in

their thinking, their

thinking, their attitudes and their behaviour. He pours out God’s love in their hearts, so that they are motivated by love rather than selfishness and covetousness. He leads them into a growing understanding of truth through the Holy Scriptures, so that the Bible, in its entirety, becomes their ‘rule of life’ as they seek the glory of God in all that they do.

attitudes and their

behaviour.

He pours out God’s love in their hearts, so that they are motivated by love

so that they are motivated by love rather than selfishness and covetousness. He leads them into a growing understanding of truth through the Holy Scriptures, so that the Bible, in its entirety, becomes their ‘rule of life’ as they seek the glory of God in all that they do.

rather than selfishness and covetousness.

He leads them into a growing understanding of truth through the Holy Scriptures,

so that the Bible, in its entirety, becomes their ‘rule of life’ as they seek the glory of God in all that they do.

Attached to this injunction, and stemming directly from it,

is a necessary consequence: ‘You shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh’ (5:16).

It is important to realize that this is not another command, ‘Do not fulfil …’.

It is not even a promise. It is a statement of sober fact.

Those who walk in the Spirit will not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.

This is our counsel.

The Conflict of Flesh and Spirit

"For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” ()

Inevitably, there is conflict between the new man and the old nature.

A clearer translation might be, ‘The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.’

Since the Holy Spirit indwells the new man, this struggle can also be represented (as it is here) as a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit himself.

“For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh...” (v17).

This conflict is lifelong, since it must persist until the physical body and mind (in which ‘the flesh’ resides) are discarded in death.

Those who claim that believers can attain sinless perfection in this life delude themselves. As Paul explains, the flesh and the Spirit ‘are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.’ (5:17).

Far from achieving perfection, believers are continually conscious of

temptations,

sin and

distractions

from the path of righteousness.

We have spiritual enemies without, namely the world and its god, Satan.

But what grieves and hinders us most is the enemy within, that is, the flesh. Is there anything that we can do to “not carry out the desires of the flesh”?

However, the thing works both ways. While the flesh hinders our discipleship to Christ, so the Spirit hinders our surrender to the flesh!

As Burton remarks, ‘Does the man choose evil, the Spirit opposes him; does he choose good, the flesh hinders him.’ Thus the true Christian can never totally fulfil the desires of the flesh. He is prone to sin, but this is against his Spirit-born desire. He continues to walk with God, confessing his sin, mourning his failure and seeking the ongoing cleansing of the blood of Christ (see ).

This inability of the believer to surrender to the flesh is part of what Paul means when he says in verse 16, ‘You shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.’ It is impossible for one who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit to abandon himself to the rule of sin (, ). However, there is more to it than that. It is only as we ‘walk in the Spirit’ that the sinful desires of the flesh are effectively subdued. How, then, may we walk in the Spirit? What instructions do the holy Scriptures give to us?

Is there anything that we can do to “not carry out the desires of the flesh”?

We can withdraw the fuel that may make our desires of the flesh burn!

Avoid all your known temptations.

To take heed of that which nourishes your sin!

We fight these desires of the flesh with the spiritual weapons of faith and prayer!

The best way to combat our sin is upon our knees!

Let us run to the promise laid out in which says, “For sin will not rule over you...”!!

Let us beg Christ for that strength that enabled Paul to do all things ().

The Creed About the Spirit

Sampson’s strength lay in his hair, ours lies in our head, Christ.

Can I get you to turn over to .

Here in the context of Isaiah beginning in chap. 63, there’s a cry to YHWH to intervene.

And in this chapter 64 we have the prophet speaking on behalf of the people,

confessing that they are helpless in their sins unless God takes action.

The desolation of the land and sanctuary that occurred during the exile symbolizes the people spiritual desolation.

So here in chapter 64 this appeal continues for YHWH to take action!

"If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at your presence— "just as fire kindles brushwood, and fire boils water— to make your name known to your enemies, so that nations will tremble at your presence! "When you did awesome works that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence. "From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him.” ()

WOW, what a scene. The image is similar to God’s coming in glory upon Sinai (; ).

This prayer is answered in Christ’s resurrection with an earthquake (),

the Spirit’s coming with fire and an earthquake to fill and revive the church (; ), and

ultimately Christ’s second coming with fire to shake all things ().

Then we have this confession of sin in vv5-7. "You welcome the one who joyfully does what is right; they remember you in your ways. But we have sinned, and you were angry. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? "All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. "No one calls on your name, striving to take hold of you. For you have hidden your face from us and made us melt because of our iniquity.” ()

Dear congregation, let us not fall under the verdict of v7, of not calling on His name or striving to take hold of God!

We do this by regular, disciplined putting ourselves in the paths where He travels—the means of grace.

I close today with seven ways that we can stir ourselves us to take hold of God and not carry out the desires of the flesh!

1. Strive to Read the Word.

The noble Bereans, it says “they received the Word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily...” ()

What an infinite mercy is it that God has honored us with the Scriptures.

Our Saviour bids us ‘search the Scriptures,’ . We must not read these holy lines carelessly,

as if they did not concern us, but inspect them with reverence and seriousness.

“All Scripture is inspired by God...” (). Read it as a book made by God.

It’s the library of the Holy Spirit!

When you read it, look upon it as a soul-enriching treasury.

Search the Scriptures as you would a vein of silver! “If you seek it like silver… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.” ().

The Conduct of the Flesh.

2. Strive to Hear the Word

I’m not just saying “Come to church”.

Anyone can bring their body’s to church but your hearts.

When we come to the word preached, we come to a matter of the highest importance,

therefore should stir up ourselves and hear with the greatest devotion.

Let’s all be as those described in that says, “all the people were captivated by what they heard.”

Or of the woman that God saved in , "A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.” (v14)

Does this sound like a group striving to hear God’s Word?

"So my people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don’t obey them. ...” ()

Some here today, perhaps, would listen closer to where you can get a cheaper discount on clothing, you’d listen closer!!?

But when the word of life is preached, many just disregard it!

So have to always seem to have to go to the bathroom when the preaching is happening!

Some come and fall asleep when the Word of God goes forth!

But do you remember what Jesus said? “while people were sleeping, his enemy came, sowed weeds among the wheat...” ().

The devil never sleeps but he sure does sow weeds in a drowsy hearer!

Can I offer some ways to hear God’s Word with greater devotion?

A. Remember that it’s God who is speaking.

If some earthly judge gives a charge from the bench, everyone is listening!

If the president of the United States came up here, we’d all listen!

When we come to the word, we should think like this: we are to hear God in this preacher.

B. Consider the weightiness of what’s being delivered to you.

Just as Moses said to Israel, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death...” ()

Doesn’t this call for serious attention?

If we read the church constitution or the will being read from your rich dead uncle, oh how close would we listen?

But in the Word,

our eternal salvation,

God’s glory,

the judgement to come, and

to be instructed to the kingdom of God and

so these are meaningless words to us but they are our life! ().

C. If you don’t esteem the word, it will not be remembered.

Many people complain about not being able to remember and I do believe that

do believe that God comes against a lack of esteeming His word in hearing it, with forgetfulness! “some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.” ().

God comes against a lack of esteeming His word in hearing it, with forgetfulness! “some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.” ().

The devil isn’t a separatist, he gathers with us too!

But it’s not for any good intentions! His aim to to get the word of God from you!

I wonder how many times you’ve been robbed of the sermon and robbed your soul both at once?

D. It may be the last time that God will every speak His Word to you.

This may be the last sermon you shall ever hear.

You may indeed go from the place of hearing to the place of judging!

If you thought before the sermon next time: This will be the last time (perhaps) God will ever instruct my soul.

You might listen a little closer!

3. Strive to pray.

Prayerless praying freezes before reaching heaven, while prayerful praying pierces heaven and warms the soul.

4. Strive to Meditate.

5. Strive to Examine Yourself.

6. Strive to Sanctify the Lord’s Day.

7. Strive to be in true, holy fellowship.