We now come to Romans 8—the point Paul has been building up to throughout his entire argument. "Paul's meaning is not that the flesh, with its affections and lusts, is no longer present at all with those that have become Christians, but that a walk in the flesh should not any longer exist in the case of Christians. The Spirit is not a leader like the pace car in the “Daytona 500.” He is a leader like a locomotive on a train. Thank you for joining me on this closer look at Galatians 5. How do we do that? 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. There are two other images in the context which shed light on the meaning of “walk by the Spirit.” The first is in verse 18: “If you are led by the Spirit you are not under law.” If Paul had said, “If you follow the Spirit you are not under law,” it would have been true, but in using the passive voice (“If you are led”) he emphasizes the Spirit’s work, not ours. It grows, matures, begins to deteriorate, eventually dies, and then decomposes back into its constituent elements and remains a part of the dust of the world. Why is it crucial to walk by the Spirit? When we honor our Father as Lord, in our decisions and behavior, then the fruit of His Spirit is "helping us" and is also "helping" to those around us. But why did he have to take on flesh that first Christmas? We also learned that the only activity which we can perform in freedom is love. All of us have heard preachers say, “Let the Spirit lead you,” or, “Allow the Spirit to control you,” and have gone away puzzled as to what that means practically. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. In our history If we don’t understand that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by anything we do, than we have completely misunderstood the gospel. Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Paul was persecuted for his new-found faith. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16-18. We don’t give in to sin. How do we walk by the Spirit? He is the Spirit. Our now God-given desire to follow Him (conviction through the Holy Spirit) stands against our fleshly desires, looking for instant gratification. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. By faith. But before we ask how to walk by the Spirit let’s ask . But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law. Often in military operations, civilians are caught in the crossfire. He is author of. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). We have all seen bad flesh and are often on a constant quest to find good flesh in ourselves, our mates, our church family, and our children. But once we are born again we are now new creations in the Spirit. . Flesh says, like the old TV commercial, “I’d rather do it myself.”. Even though we long for the day when our flesh will be utterly defunct and only pure and loving desires will fill our hearts, yet there is something worse than the war within between flesh and Spirit; namely, no war within because the flesh controls the citadel and all the outposts. That may not always look the way the world expects. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Chapter 8:1-17–Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit (Part 13) Posted on March 13, 2016 by joelando11@yahoo.com / 3 Comments. The Holy SPirit is against the flesh and the flash is against the Spirit animation. A Christian is not a person who experiences no bad desires. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. But the $60,000 question is, How do you walk by the Spirit? You were running a good race. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: Chapter 8:1-17–Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit (Part 13) Posted on March 13, 2016 by joelando11@yahoo.com / 3 Comments. “You were called to freedom . Reply. I’m confused. 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. By meditating on the trustworthiness and preciousness of God’s promises until our hearts are free of all fretting and guilt and greed. “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. (Barbara C. Ryberg in Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Galatians 5:16 ESV / 75 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. So take heart if your soul feels like a battlefield at times. practice verse. The Spirit” One of the most tragic elements of warfare is the event of collateral damage. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary to one another - Ga 5:17 b. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Paul has an incredibly important reason to win the battle of the flesh vs the spirit. The text gives two reasons, one in verse 16 and one in verse 18. SPIRIT. Therefore it conquers the emptiness that drives the flesh, and it spills out in acts of love which fulfill the law. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? Now he is persecuted by his former companions. When we honor our Father as Lord, in our decisions and behavior, then the fruit of His Spirit is "helping us" and is also "helping" to those around us. He works when we are resting in his promises. It doesn’t matter how moral, or religious, or devout they may be. Flesh Chapter 17 The Impossible Life Chapter 18 Mind Your Spirit Chapter 19 Time to Leave! Praise God for what only He could do. Romans 8:6-8 (ESV) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. The Spirit and the flesh are contrary to one another - Ga 5:17 b. Of course, many Jewish believers may have agreed with him to a degree. But as we live here on earth in our fleshly bodies, we will continue to be tempted and fall into sin daily, sometimes hourly. And how, according to Galatians 2:20, does the life of the Son produce itself in Paul? The Spirit reigns over the flesh in your life when you live by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave himself for you and now is working everything together for your good. Second, notice Galatians 5:5: “For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness.” How do you wait for Jesus “through the Spirit”? And, how? Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. The Flesh vs. the Spirit (13 of 17) Born AGAIN Free Jerry Vines Galatians 5:16-26 12/04/02 I've been having some trouble with a person in our church and it think it is time for me to just go ahead and call the individual's name. But Galatians 5:22 says love is a fruit of the Spirit. He is unregen In contrast to the law, the Apostle Paul speaks of being "led by the Spirit" or "live in the Spirit" or "walk in the Spirit"; the "fruit of the Spirit." Living in the Flesh (vs. 12,13) The Believer’s Relationship to the Flesh ( Review and vs. 12) The true Christian will stumble in sin and fall at times, but he is not characterized by catering to his sinful flesh (8:5), and even when he does fall, it is contrary to his true desires (7:23,25). We now come to Romans 8—the point Paul has been building up to throughout his entire argument. 47:34. Its doom is sure. Tag: Sermons on Flesh vs. Galatians 5:16-18 [16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” Galatians 5:13-15. Galatians #11 - The Flesh vs The Spirit - Duration: 47:34. He calls them to discern truth from lie. 148 Flesh appears at least 13 times 149 in the first 13 verses of Romans 8 as Paul contrasts the flesh with the Spirit. Flesh is flesh and can do nothing that is of the Spirit. It's been going on the entire 20 years I have been a member of this fellowship. This morning I want to begin sharing with you some thoughts on the Covenants, Symbols of the Covenants. To illustrate this, below is a list of 12 of the most infamous examples of walking after the flesh found in the Bible. That’s how you walk by the Spirit. I was in Pasadena, California, standing in the kitchen of my beloved teacher Daniel Fuller talking to his wife Ruth. Haven’t we been made new and been freed from the burden of sin?" Introduction On March 23, 1968, I had a supernatural encounter with the Lord that revolutionized my entire life. By saying this, Spirit deprecates Flesh and praises herself in a holier-than-thou kind of tone, for she believes that she is pure and clean and worthy to be selected by God to live with Him eternally. They ask God to help them in these endeavours and think that this is faith. How can we overcome the desires of the flesh and follow the Spirit? Jesus gave us many commandments that are more detailed than this. Flesh. In our history Even Jesus said that loving God and loving others are the greatest of all commandments (Matthew 22:24-40). But the good news is that it is not primarily our work but God’s. Fourth, see Galatians 3:5: the clearest of all: “Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing of faith?” The Spirit does his mighty work in us and through us only by the hearing of faith. That’s become the center of our new life. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. And to confirm that this is just how Paul is thinking, he ends the list of the fruit of the Spirit in verse 23 with the words, “against such there is no law.” In other words, how can you be under the oppression or punishment of the law when the very things the law requires are popping out like fruit on the branches of your life? Have you ever wondered why you are not as good a Christian as you know you ought to be? You will have victory over temptation and know the guidance of the Lord if you keep your heart happy in God by resting in his promises. 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