GROUP GUIDE: Galatians 5:16-25

This week, we looked at verses 16-25 of chapter 5. What we can see is the constant battle between the flesh and the Spirit. Because we have the Spirit, we can live different lives. In these verses, we can see the following:

Walking in the Spirit (vv. 16-19)

Paul begins verse 16 by saying that we must walk in the Spirit. The idea is that we must let the Spirit guide us in life. The life of a believer should be one in which we listen to the Word and discern God's will. Those who submit to the Spirit daily have the promise that they will not gratify their fallen human nature. We should see that there is no neutral ground here. We live in one sphere or the other. We either submit to the Spirit's leadership or we gratify our flesh. If we submit to the Spirit, we cannot indulge the flesh. You cannot pray and look at pornography at the same time. The way you confront your sin is not simply by saying “no” to the flesh, but also by saying “yes” to the work of the Spirit. This means it's not simply saying no to sin, but saying yes to a life that pleases the Lord. If we walk in the Spirit, we should not seek to gratify the desires of the flesh. Verse 17 tells us that the flesh and the Spirit are opposed; there is a battle within us, and it is intense. Because it is an intense battle, I must constantly seek to walk in the Spirit. I must also realize that the problem lies within me, not in my surroundings. I must fight and walk in the Spirit to avoid falling into the desires of my sinful nature. Verse 18 tells us that if the Spirit leads us, we are no longer under the law, which means we no longer belong to the old era of redemptive history (ibid.). Paul already described in this letter how living under the law leads to being “under a curse” (3:10), “under the power of sin” (3:22), “under a guardian” (3:25), “in bondage to the elemental forces of the world” (4:3), and in need of redemption (4:5) (ibid.). Therefore, the point is that life in the Spirit brings a completely new way of life. This verse doesn't mean you have freedom to sin, but freedom from sin. You have new desires and new power to please God by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Don't live under the crushing weight of the law, but live by the dynamic power of the Spirit.

The Desires of the Flesh (19-21)

Now, in the following verses, Paul will show us what the works of the flesh are. A life without the Spirit is characterized by living out the desires of the flesh. These verses are not an exhaustive list but rather examples of sin. These desires can be divided into three categories: sexual sins, sins against others, and disruptive behavior. A believer cannot live a lifestyle characterized by these verses. Now, I'm not saying that a believer doesn't struggle with these things, but rather that they are not defined by them. Paul warns his readers, as he mentioned before, that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God (5:21). This passage does not teach that a drunkard cannot be saved, but rather that those whose lives are characterized by the aforementioned list of carnal works are not saved.

The Fruit of the Spirit (21-24)

Significantly, the apostle distinguishes between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The works of the flesh are produced by human efforts. Fruit grows if the branch remains on the vine (John 15:1-14). Note that “fruit” is singular, not plural. The Holy Spirit produces only one kind of fruit, namely, Christlikeness. All the virtues listed here describe the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul concludes this list with an enigmatic comment: against such things there is no law. Of course not! These virtues please God, benefit others, and are good for ourselves. But how is such fruit produced? By human efforts? Not at all. It is produced when Christians live in communion with the Lord.

Regardless of where we are, the Spirit is gently “courting” us to the right.

• For some, it is salvation.

• For others, it is growing in maturity and ceasing to gratify the desires of the flesh.

• For all of us, it is surrendering to/walking according to the Spirit as a way of life.