Feeding the Spirit vs Flesh: Galatians 5:16-17 Explained

Walking in the Spirit is essential for living a life worthy of the calling in Christ. It is a daily, intentional choice to align one’s life with God’s Spirit rather than yielding to the desires of the flesh. This walk is not a one-time event but a continuous process of being filled with the Spirit, which empowers believers to live righteously and grow into Christlikeness ([56:26]).

A vital aspect of this walk involves careful introspection. Believers are called to examine their lives constantly—every day, every hour, and every minute—to discern whether their actions are guided by the Spirit or driven by fleshly desires. This internal battle can be understood through the analogy of feeding: just as feeding a small dog causes it to grow, feeding the flesh through entertainment, indulgence, or sinful habits strengthens it, allowing it to dominate. Conversely, feeding the Spirit through God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship causes the Spirit to grow stronger within us ([38:50]).

The contrast between walking in the Spirit and living according to the flesh is fundamental. Walking in the Spirit involves making wise decisions, seeking God’s will, and being intentional about how time is spent. Because the days are evil, believers must make the best use of their time by being wise and discerning God’s will in their daily choices ([40:45]). This wisdom is rooted in understanding Scripture and listening to the Spirit, which guides away from foolishness and toward righteousness.

Living by the Spirit enables believers to resist the desires of the flesh, which are opposed to the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 vividly describes this internal conflict: the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh. Walking in the Spirit means actively choosing to feed the Spirit through reading Scripture, prayer, worship, and fellowship, allowing it to produce the fruit of the Spirit in one’s life—such as love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control ([55:51]).

The analogy of feeding the Spirit versus feeding the flesh powerfully illustrates this truth. Just as feeding a dog makes it strong, believers are encouraged to feed their hearts with God’s Word and prayer to strengthen the Spirit. Indulging in worldly entertainment, sensual pleasures, or sinful habits feeds the flesh and weakens the Spirit’s influence. Being filled with the Spirit depends on reliance on God’s Spirit rather than on oneself or worldly distractions ([51:16]).

Ultimately, walking in the Spirit is indispensable for living a life worthy of the calling in Christ. It requires daily introspection, wise choices, discerning God’s will, and actively cultivating the Spirit’s presence. This ongoing process transforms character to reflect Christ’s love and light, bringing glory to God and fulfilling the purpose of believers as His children ([58:15]). Walking in the Spirit enables believers to resist the temptations of the flesh and live lives that honor God, demonstrating the practical outworking of Galatians 5:16-17 in everyday life.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Solid Rock Plymouth, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO