April 25, 2014
IN THE BATTLE OF INFAMY, CHRIST IS THE STRATEGY
Galatians 5:13–26
Krista Sanders
Central Truth
God desires for us to manifest and enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in our lives as we experience victory over the desires of our flesh. He is able to maintain our walking in the Spirit as we depend on Him to do so. He is the strategy.
Key Verse | Galatians 5:16–17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:16-17)
Galatians 5:13–26
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Keep in Step with the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, 1 5:21 Some manuscripts add murder drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 2 5:21 Or make a practice of doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Dive Deeper | Galatians 5:13–26
Some of our family's best conversations have been initiated from the backseat. A few years ago, Julia filled the car with these words, "Momma, I've still got some old in my heart." In less than 10 words, she had expressed the primary struggle of my 20 some odd years of walking with Christ. The word "old" to me is a four-letter word with only three letters.
This infamous battle between the old and the new, the flesh and the Spirit, can seem mystical, but there is nothing more REAL. My sins are as consistent as the tide, and "fruit" (verses 22-23) is hit or miss with me. If I have the Holy Spirit within me, why in the world do I snap at my kids so often? Respond disrespectfully to Jeff? Fight to get my own way? The answer is here: "For [the flesh and the Spirit] are in opposition to one another" (verse 17b). The fight between the remainders of sin and the beginnings of grace is expected. But I want to win way more often.
I want to respond to arguing with patience. I want to respond to the demand on my time with joy. I want to respond to hurt with kindness. I want to respond to harshness with gentleness. I want to say to my children, "You may watch Momma today and see an example of what it means to "walk in the Spirit." Do as I do. Respond how I respond." Sometimes they can see that, and sometimes they are watching the poster parent for confession and repentance. And, actually, that's not a bad place to start.
These opposing forces are here to stay, but Christ gives us the strategy for winning. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) Walking by the Spirit is just the opposite of feeding the flesh. Study His Word, meditate on it, talk with Him, worship Him, and, in love, serve those around you. Christ IS the strategy for winning. Depend on Him.
Discussion Questions
1. What ways are you feeding the Spirit on a daily basis?
2. What ways are you feeding your flesh on a daily basis?
3. Who can hold you accountable for the struggles you have in Question 2?
Think on this thought from Andrew Murray: "Do you believe that when He takes charge of you in Christ, it is possible for God to make you a man of absolute surrender? And God is able to maintain that. He is able to let you rise from bed every morning of the week with that blessed thought, directly or indirectly: 'I am in God's charge. My God is working out my life for me.'"
4. Are you on the journey of allowing God to make you a man/woman of absolute surrender?
5. How do you see God at work in your life regarding this struggle between the flesh and the Spirit?