<Gal 5>
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
1. Battle between the flesh and the Spirit.
Sin immediately and totally eradicated?
OR
Lifelong battle with sin?
1. Battle between the flesh and the Spirit.
– Worse if there is no battle between flesh and Spirit.
– Christians not without sinful desires, but at war with those desires.
– Desires of the flesh not gone completely, but need not be mastered by them.
2. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the flesh.
-By the Spirit put to death the misdeeds of the body <Ro 8:13>.
-Not Christlike overnight, but increasingly:
<2 Co 3:18> …(we) are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-Where the Holy Spirit works, the flesh weakens.
-God only commands us to do what His Spirit will enable us to do.
3. The fruit of the Spirit.
–<Mt 7:20> Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
<Gal 5>
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
* Do you commit all these?
-A package with all 9 traits.
-Points us to Jesus.
-9 traits of the Fruit collectively proved that we are saved, that we are a new man in Christ.
-“Fruit” takes time to grow.
3. The fruit of the Spirit – 9 traits.
-How can we grow the fruit of the Spirit?
-Jesus said: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” <Jn 15:4-5>
-Work of the Spirit, walk by the Spirit.
–<Gal 5:23> Against such things there is no law.
–<Ro 8:4> “in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
Discussion
- Are you actively engaged in the spiritual warfare between the flesh and the Spirit? Which side is gaining ground in your life?
- Are you bearing the fruit (all 9 traits) of the Spirit? Which traits have more evidences in your life and which traits less obvious? How can the fruit of the Spirit grow in your life?
