Bootcamp: The Spirit vs The Flesh

Psalm 73 reminds us that when our strength fails, God is our portion and the strength of our hearts forever. Life brings seasons of weariness, but God invites us to come to Him for renewal and rest. In Christ, we are set free—not just from sin, but from the law and the relentless demands of our own flesh. Yet, even after salvation, the battle between the Spirit and the flesh continues. The flesh constantly tries to draw us away from intimacy with God, tempting us to seek satisfaction in lesser things. But true freedom is found in walking by the Spirit, not returning to old patterns or relying on our own efforts.

Christian maturity is not about following a list of rules or living however we please. Grace is not entitlement, nor is it a license to sin or to judge others harshly. Legalism, with its harshness and judgment, is just as dangerous as lawlessness. Instead, we are called to a Spirit-filled walk—a daily, deliberate journey of following Jesus, step by step. This walk is marked by liberty, not bondage; by steady progress, not frantic striving; by active participation, not passive waiting.

Walking by the Spirit means being led by the voice of our Shepherd, Jesus, who guides us to green pastures and still waters. The evidence of this walk is the fruit it produces: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not the results of our own striving, but the natural outgrowth of a life surrendered to the Spirit. The choice is ours each day: to walk by the flesh, which leads to frustration and brokenness, or to walk by the Spirit, which leads to blessing, protection, and growth.

Spiritual growth is a process, much like learning to walk. There will be falls and failures, but the call is to get up, take the next step, and keep moving forward. Even baby steps count. The Lord is patient and gracious, urging us not to give up, but to keep in step with His Spirit. As we do, our lives become a testimony to His transforming power, and the church becomes healthier and more vibrant. Let us choose daily to walk by the Spirit, trusting Jesus more and more, and allowing Him to shape us into His likeness.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God is our true strength and portion, especially in seasons of weakness. When our hearts and flesh fail, He remains steadfast, inviting us to draw near and receive the renewal only He can provide. This is not a one-time event but a continual invitation to depend on Him for daily strength and sustenance. [26:07]
• 2. Christian freedom is not a license to indulge the flesh or to live carelessly. True freedom in Christ means being set free from sin, the law, and the tyranny of our own desires, so that we can walk in the light and not return to darkness. The call is to use our freedom to serve and love, not to gratify self. [40:06]
• 3. Legalism is as dangerous as lawlessness. While grace is never an entitlement to remain immature or to judge others, neither is it a burden of endless rules. Maturity in Christ is not about perfection, but about growing in love, humility, and dependence on the Spirit, refusing both self-righteousness and self-indulgence. [49:39]
• 4. The Spirit-filled walk is marked by steady, intentional progress—walking, not running or sitting. Spiritual growth is a process that requires patience, perseverance, and daily discipline. Even small steps matter, and setbacks are opportunities to get up and keep moving forward, trusting that God is at work in us. [54:24]
• 5. The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of a life led by God. As we yield to the Spirit, our lives will naturally bear fruit that reflects Christ’s character—love, joy, peace, and more. This fruit cannot be manufactured by effort or rule-keeping; it is the result of abiding in Jesus and keeping in step with His Spirit. [62:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [26:07] - Scripture Reading & Opening Prayer
• [33:55] - Boot Camp Theme: Spiritual Maturity
• [35:09] - The Spirit vs. The Flesh
• [37:11] - Freedom in Christ Explained
• [38:55] - The Ongoing Battle with the Flesh
• [40:06] - Using Freedom Wisely
• [42:41] - Three Types of People: Natural, Spiritual, Fleshly
• [44:41] - The Prodigal Son and Spiritual Immaturity
• [47:44] - What the Walk Is Not: License or Legalism
• [49:39] - Dangers of Legalism
• [52:39] - What the Walk Should Be: Walking in Liberty
• [54:24] - Walking, Not Running or Sitting
• [59:28] - Being Led by the Spirit
• [62:01] - The Fruit of the Spirit
• [64:41] - Keeping in Step with the Spirit
• [67:06] - Closing Prayer & Invitation
• [69:50] - Closing Song and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV) — "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 73:25-26, what does the psalmist say about his desires and where his strength comes from?
2. According to Galatians 5:16-18, what is the relationship between the Spirit and the flesh?
3. What are some of the specific fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23 that show a life led by the Spirit?
4. The sermon described three types of people: natural, spiritual, and fleshly. What are the main differences between these three, according to the message? [[42:41]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the psalmist says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever”? What does this reveal about his relationship with God?
2. The sermon said that even after salvation, the battle between the Spirit and the flesh continues. Why do you think God allows this ongoing struggle? [[36:28]]
3. The pastor said, “Grace is not entitlement. Grace is not a license to sin or to judge others harshly.” How does this understanding of grace challenge both legalism and lawlessness? [[49:00]]
4. The message compared spiritual growth to learning to walk, with falls and failures along the way. How does this image help us understand what it means to mature in Christ? [[01:04:41]]

Application Questions

1. The psalmist says he desires nothing on earth but God. Is there something in your life right now that you are tempted to desire more than God? How can you bring this honestly to Him in prayer this week? [[26:07]]
2. The sermon talked about the flesh drawing us away from intimacy with God and tempting us to seek satisfaction in lesser things. What is one “lesser thing” you tend to turn to for comfort or escape? What would it look like to turn to God instead? [[39:29]]
3. The pastor said, “Christian freedom is not a license to indulge the flesh or to live carelessly.” Are there areas in your life where you have misunderstood or misused your freedom in Christ? How can you use your freedom to serve and love others this week? [[40:06]]
4. Legalism was described as being just as dangerous as lawlessness. Have you ever found yourself being harsh or judgmental toward yourself or others because of rules? What would it look like to respond with grace instead? [[49:39]]
5. The message emphasized that walking by the Spirit is about steady, intentional progress—not running or sitting still. What is one “baby step” you can take this week to grow in your walk with Jesus, even if you feel like you’ve failed recently? [[01:04:41]]
6. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of a life led by God. Choose one aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you want to see more of in your life. What is a specific way you can practice this fruit in your relationships this week? [[01:02:01]]
7. The pastor said, “Don’t give up when it gets hard. You fall down, you have a bad week, you don’t spend time with Jesus for a week, it doesn’t make you an awful person in the eyes of God.” How do you usually respond to spiritual setbacks? What would it look like to get back up and keep moving forward, trusting in God’s grace? [[01:06:29]]