Galatians 5:19-24
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Galatians 5 so clearly compares and contrasts the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. In a world that is driven by fleshly desires, we are called to be set apart. We are called to not only follow the example of Jesus but to walk by the Spirit. We have been set free by Christ! We no longer need to be subject to the yoke of slavery, which is sin. If we walk by the Spirit, the desires of our hearts will not be that of worldly things. If Christ lives in us, and our minds and hearts are set on him, then the fruit of His work that He produces through us will be that of the Spirit not of the flesh.
It will seem sometimes as though others don’t understand your actions, or disagree with what you know to be the Truth but do not let this discourage you. The flesh is in complete opposition to the Spirit so of course those who live according to the flesh are going to oppose you. Yet those of us who belong to Christ have nailed our passions and desires to His cross and crucified them there. Follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of your life! Jesus has set us free from the desires that destroy and poison so many people in the world today. Take the opportunity to serve one another, not to satisfy the sinful nature of the flesh.
Galatians 5:13-18
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
Galatians 5:1
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
By: Ethan Jobes
