The Holy Spirit in the Epistles
Day 42 — The Contrast of Walking in the Flesh and Walking in the Spirit
Galatians 5
The Contrast between faith and flesh; freedom and enslavement
1. We receive the Holy Spirit by hearing with faith. 3:2
2. When beginning with the Spirit, don’t try to perfect self with the flesh 3:3
3. God Who gives the Spirit works miracles among us by hearing with faith 3:5
4. We received the promise of the Spirit through faith. [not the law] 3:14
5. Isaac, child of promise, born according to the Spirit, persecuted by the child 4:25-30
of the slave, born according to fleshly ideas of Abraham
6. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 5:24
Works of the Flesh
1. If acts of the Law (circumcision) is goal, then Christ is of no value to you. 5:1-3
2. If seeking justification by the Law, you are severing yourself from Christ 5:4
3. The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, so that you may not do the things you please 5:17
4. The deeds of the flesh are evident: 5:19-21
a. immorality f. enmities k. dissensions p. boastful 5:26
b. impurity g. strife l. factions q. challenging 5:26
c. sensuality, h. jealousy m. envying,
d. idolatry i. outbursts of anger n. drunkenness
e. sorcery j. disputes o. carousing
5. Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 5:21
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
1. Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh 5:16
2. The Spirit is against the flesh 5:17
3. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law 5:18
4. The Fruit of the Spirit is: 5:22-23
a. love d. patience g. faithfulness
b. joy e. kindness h. gentleness
c. peace f. goodness i. self-control
5. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit 5:25
Questions:
1. By creating these 2 lists, Paul has tempted us to fall into the very same trap that he so well described in Romans 7:7-8. “I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet. But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind.”
Which list (“Works of the Flesh” or “Fruit of the Spirit” ) should we focus on?
2. How does walking in the Spirit keep us from sinning?
3. If these lists are not the focus, but a description of the results of walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit, what is the point of making these lists?
4. When you are led by the Holy Spirit, list a few things that you can be sure of.
5. When people say or sing, “We invite you Holy Spirit into this place,” what would be another way of
Reflection, Notes and Prayer