Walking in the Spirit: Overcoming Fleshly Desires
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into Galatians 5:16-26, a passage that is crucial for every Christian to understand. This scripture emphasizes the importance of walking by the Spirit to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh. Paul outlines the struggle every believer faces between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. This internal conflict is a sign of spiritual life, not something to be ashamed of. The desires of the flesh include things like sexual immorality, idolatry, and fits of anger, while the fruit of the Spirit encompasses love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Paul's message is clear: the Christian life is a struggle, but we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit is not about willpower or self-improvement but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who leads us to life and truth. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ-like character, liberating us from sin and bringing us to life.
We also discussed the importance of community and abiding in Christ. Abiding involves spending time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and community. These practices help us stay in step with the Spirit, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to grow in our lives. The more we love Jesus and are aware of the Holy Spirit, the more our sin dies, and we become more like Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit: Every Christian experiences an internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a sign of spiritual life. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and walk in the ways of the Spirit. [24:06]
2. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: Walking in the Spirit is not about willpower or self-improvement. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to say no to sin and yes to the ways of God. This divine empowerment leads us away from the things of the flesh and towards life and truth. [42:19]
3. The Fruit of the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are outward signs of an inward spiritual life. These qualities grow gradually and symmetrically in our lives as we walk in step with the Spirit. [01:03:44]
4. Abiding in Christ: Abiding in Christ involves spending time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and community. These practices help us stay connected to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, producing the fruit of the Spirit. [01:21:09]
5. Community and Accountability: Spiritual growth is not a solo journey. Being part of a community provides accountability, encouragement, and support. Sharing our struggles and victories with others helps us stay in step with the Spirit and grow in Christ-like character. [01:25:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[22:51] - Introduction to Galatians 5
[24:06] - The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit
[25:35] - Prayer for Understanding
[26:52] - Paul's List of Fleshly Desires
[28:44] - The Freedom in Christ
[30:05] - Power from the Holy Spirit
[31:44] - Real-Life Examples of Fleshly Desires
[33:12] - The Significance of the Struggle
[34:47] - Understanding 'Desires of the Flesh'
[36:11] - The Gospel and the Spirit's Work
[37:43] - The Conflict of Desires
[39:13] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[40:59] - The Danger of Ignoring the Spirit
[42:19] - Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
[43:48] - Misconceptions About Sin and Spirit
[45:13] - The Reality of the Holy Spirit
[46:53] - Misuse of 'God Told Me'
[48:07] - Real-Life Example of Misguided Decisions
[49:35] - The Role of Scripture and Community
[51:00] - The Danger of False Spiritual Guidance
[52:44] - Paul's List of Fleshly Desires
[54:04] - The Consequences of Fleshly Desires
[55:34] - Idolatry and Witchcraft
[57:10] - The Danger of Opening Spiritual Doors
[58:32] - Relational Breakdowns
[59:52] - Addictions and Debauchery
[01:01:08] - The Importance of Repentance
[01:02:25] - The Call to Be Led by the Spirit
[01:03:44] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[01:05:12] - Spiritual Growth is Gradual
[01:06:42] - The Inevitability of Spiritual Fruit
[01:08:09] - Outward Signs of Spiritual Life
[01:09:47] - Symmetrical Growth of Spiritual Fruit
[01:11:01] - Detailed Breakdown of the Fruit of the Spirit
[01:15:11] - Moving from Flesh to Spirit
[01:16:34] - Belonging to Jesus and Crucifying the Flesh
[01:18:00] - Freedom to Acknowledge Failures
[01:19:27] - Strangling Sin at the Motivational Level
[01:21:09] - Abiding in Christ
[01:22:28] - The Importance of Worship and Community
[01:25:05] - The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth
[01:26:20] - The More You Love Jesus, the More Sin Dies
[01:28:00] - The Freedom in Walking by the Spirit
[01:29:37] - Prayer for Spiritual Growth
[01:32:38] - Invitation to Communion
[01:34:08] - Instructions for Communion
[01:35:25] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[01:42:50] - Announcements and Invitations
[01:43:59] - Closing Remarks and Doxology
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:16-26
### Observation Questions
1. What are the "desires of the flesh" that Paul lists in Galatians 5:19-21? How do these contrast with the "fruit of the Spirit" in verses 22-23?
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit for a Christian? [33:12]
3. How does Paul describe the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers overcome the desires of the flesh? [42:19]
4. What practices are mentioned in the sermon that help believers "abide in Christ" and stay connected to the Holy Spirit? [21:09]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a sign of spiritual life rather than failure? How does this perspective change the way we view our own struggles? [33:12]
2. How does the Holy Spirit empower believers to live a life that reflects Christ-like character, according to the sermon? [42:19]
3. What does it mean to "crucify the flesh" and how is this process described in the sermon? [16:34]
4. How does being part of a community and having accountability help in walking by the Spirit and producing the fruit of the Spirit? [25:05]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you experienced the internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? [33:12]
2. The sermon mentions that walking in the Spirit is not about willpower but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit. What are some practical ways you can surrender more fully to the Holy Spirit in your daily life? [42:19]
3. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with your family or coworkers? [03:44]
4. How can you incorporate the practices of abiding in Christ—such as spending time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and community—into your weekly routine? [21:09]
5. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you respond with the fruit of the Spirit? [11:01]
6. Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. Are there ways you can deepen your engagement to provide and receive more accountability and support? [25:05]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel most prone to give in to the desires of the flesh. What steps can you take this week to crucify that desire and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance instead? [18:00]
Devotional
Day 1: The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit
Every Christian experiences an internal conflict between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. This struggle is not a sign of failure but a sign of spiritual life. The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh and walk in the ways of the Spirit. [24:06]
In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul outlines the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit. This internal conflict is a hallmark of the Christian journey, indicating that the Holy Spirit is actively working within us. The desires of the flesh, such as sexual immorality, idolatry, and fits of anger, are in direct opposition to the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Recognizing this struggle is crucial because it signifies that we are spiritually alive and engaged in the process of sanctification.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist the flesh and walk in the Spirit. This empowerment is not about relying on our own willpower or efforts but about surrendering to the Holy Spirit's guidance. By doing so, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and live a life that reflects Christ-like character. This struggle, though challenging, is a vital part of our spiritual growth and transformation.
Romans 7:18-19 (ESV): "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the tension between the flesh and the Spirit. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you overcome this struggle today?
Day 2: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Walking in the Spirit is not about willpower or self-improvement. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to say no to sin and yes to the ways of God. This divine empowerment leads us away from the things of the flesh and towards life and truth. [42:19]
The Christian life is not about self-improvement or relying on our own strength to overcome sin. Instead, it is about surrendering to the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live according to God's will. The Holy Spirit provides the strength and guidance we need to resist the desires of the flesh and walk in the ways of the Spirit. This divine empowerment is essential for living a life that reflects Christ's character and brings glory to God.
When we rely on the Holy Spirit, we are no longer bound by the limitations of our own willpower. The Spirit leads us into all truth, helping us to discern right from wrong and giving us the courage to choose God's ways over our own. This empowerment is a gift from God, enabling us to live a life of victory over sin and to grow in our relationship with Him.
Ephesians 3:16 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you struggled to resist temptation. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own willpower in similar situations in the future?
Day 3: The Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are outward signs of an inward spiritual life. These qualities grow gradually and symmetrically in our lives as we walk in step with the Spirit. [01:03:44]
The fruit of the Spirit is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work within us. These qualities are not produced by our own efforts but are the result of the Spirit's transformative power in our lives. As we walk in step with the Spirit, these attributes—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—begin to grow and flourish within us. This growth is gradual and symmetrical, meaning that all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit develop together, reflecting a balanced and mature Christian character.
The presence of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives is evidence of our ongoing spiritual growth and transformation. It shows that we are becoming more like Christ and that the Holy Spirit is actively working within us. By staying connected to the Spirit and allowing Him to lead us, we can continue to grow in these qualities and reflect Christ's character to those around us.
Colossians 1:10 (ESV): "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now? How can you intentionally cultivate this quality through the Holy Spirit's guidance?
Day 4: Abiding in Christ
Abiding in Christ involves spending time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and community. These practices help us stay connected to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, producing the fruit of the Spirit. [01:21:09]
Abiding in Christ is essential for spiritual growth and transformation. It involves maintaining a close and intimate relationship with Jesus through various spiritual disciplines such as reading God's Word, prayer, worship, and participating in a faith community. These practices help us stay connected to Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us and produce the fruit of the Spirit. By abiding in Christ, we create an environment where the Spirit can thrive and bring about lasting change in our lives.
Spending time in God's Word helps us understand His will and align our lives with His purposes. Prayer allows us to communicate with God, seek His guidance, and express our dependence on Him. Worship helps us focus on God's greatness and goodness, fostering a heart of gratitude and reverence. Being part of a faith community provides support, encouragement, and accountability, helping us stay on track in our spiritual journey. Together, these practices enable us to abide in Christ and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
John 15:4 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your practice of abiding in Christ through God's Word, prayer, worship, and community?
Day 5: Community and Accountability
Spiritual growth is not a solo journey. Being part of a community provides accountability, encouragement, and support. Sharing our struggles and victories with others helps us stay in step with the Spirit and grow in Christ-like character. [01:25:05]
The Christian life is meant to be lived in community. Spiritual growth and transformation are not solitary endeavors but are best achieved within the context of a supportive and accountable faith community. Being part of a community provides us with the encouragement, support, and accountability we need to stay on track in our spiritual journey. Sharing our struggles and victories with others helps us stay in step with the Spirit and grow in Christ-like character.
In a faith community, we can find people who will pray for us, offer wise counsel, and hold us accountable to our commitments. This mutual support helps us navigate the challenges of the Christian life and stay focused on our spiritual goals. By being open and vulnerable with others, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work through our relationships to bring about growth and transformation.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your faith community can you reach out to for support and accountability in your spiritual journey? How can you be a source of encouragement and support for others in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Christ set you free so that you could experience the freedom he's always desired for you and what he's going to tell us this week is this is what freedom looks like like this is the freedom that god has given you and i would suggest to you the freedom would look like this as you have been set free from satan's sin and death and you are now free because of the life the death and the resurrection of jesus to walk in step with the holy spirit and in this relationship with the spirit in walking with the spirit god is going to do some things that give us freedom." (34 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Inside of every single christ follower if you are saved by grace through faith in christ alone within you exist two desires two natures two appetites and he says these appetites these desires these natures are what caused this struggle and we all know this to be true if we're honest like we all know inside of us is the desire to do what is good what is right what is lovely and what is honoring to god yet we also know if we're honest that there's times that we find ourselves both desiring and doing things that we know go against the teaching and the ways of jesus." (46 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The struggle between the two desires the two natures the two appetites inside of you are not something to be ashamed of instead it is a sign that there is life inside of you that the fact that you have the holy spirit working calling out things that are good and lovely and pure and at the same time convicting you of your sin and making you aware of your temptation causes conflict it means it goes hey this is actually part of the christian life a struggle it's not all unicorns and mercy me and rainbows and kumbaya that there's deep struggle in our lives." (38 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The holy spirit always gives us the truth that can be confirmed in scripture and the example we see in scripture is that truth is often then confirmed in community... the holy spirit always leads us to jesus in the scripture and he never contradicts jesus or the scripture." (110 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The more you love jesus the more your sin dies and the more aware you are of the holy spirit the better you're able to follow the holy spirit and the more you walk in accordance with the holy spirit the better you are able to follow the orders with the holy spirit the more your sin dies the closer in proximity you are to jesus the further you are from sin because they're two different things in two opposite directions." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul goes listen inside of every single christ follower if you are saved by grace through faith in christ alone within you exist two desires two natures two appetites and he says these appetites these desires these natures are what caused this struggle and we all know this to be true if we're honest like we all know inside of us is the desire to do what is good what is right what is lovely and what is honoring to god yet we also know if we're honest that there's times that we find ourselves both desiring and doing things that we know go against the teaching and the ways of jesus right like listen i i say this about myself all the time like i'm a little bit irish and sometimes i just grow up in the like i just wake up in the morning ready for a fight like the first thing i do wake up and go like i could fight someone and audrey's like how'd you sleep last night great i want to fight somebody and then i get coffee and i calm down i you know i mean it's like where does that come from we all have those things inside of us like for some of you it's traffic right somebody cuts you off and you're on your way to prison i mean you just know like whatever whatever happened there like something inside of you clicks right for some of you this whole election season like you need to just dig a pit and live in it because you you watch the political ads you see the commercials and you have tinfoil hats and like you desire things that you know are bad for you paul goes we got to talk about that and i think this is why this is so important is if we don't talk about this what happens is as we experience this struggle we go man i've been saved by jesus i love jesus i want to follow jesus but man i'm conflicted because i know what's good i know what's true i know what's what right i know what's lovely i know what's honoring god but if i'm honest there's some conflict in me because i also desire to do some things that are not good and not lovely and not pure and not honoring to god and then we feel ashamed we go man i must be a terrible christ like man god must be so disappointed with me if anybody else knew the things i struggled everybody else knew the thoughts in my head if anybody else knew how hard it was for me to say no to certain things and paul goes do you know the reason this is true for you like it's because there are actually two desires inside of you in this struggle." (163 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul says listen just like i was going to lead you towards some things that the holy spirit would never do let me lead you towards some things that the holy spirit will for sure do i want to talk about this for a minute because what paul leads us to is an agricultural illustration to reveal how the holy spirit works in our lives but there's also some lessons in here so i'm going to hit these quickly the first one is this spiritual growth is gradual okay like you just need to know that this is one of those things i wish somebody told me earlier on spiritual growth is gradual i've never met a single christ follower that i know really well love and respect who is like man i actually grew a little too fast like i'm amazed by my spiritual growth i've never met that man i've never met that woman it always to us seems slower than we think it should be but when he uses this he goes listen when we start to see agricultural principles or illustrations of the bible you go how long does it take for something to grow it takes a while so listen he's going listen spiritual growth is gradual there's times of harvesting in our lives but it usually takes a while like if you were to plant a fruit tree in your front yard and then you put out a chair and said i'm going to sit here and wait for the fruit tree to grow until i see an apple you know how long you're going to be there a couple months it's going to take a while it's not happening by dinner time but then there's moments of harvest right where time goes by and all of a sudden you go oh i see i see a bud oh i see a fruit oh i see an apple oh now the apple's ripe and ready to pick this is true for our lives and you've had this moment before right whether you've seen it or somebody in your life sees it something happens and somebody goes you know what you're really different because a couple years ago would not have responded the way you did today you were more like jesus now than you were then spiritual growth is gradual also growth of spiritual fruit is inevitable okay like this is one of the things the holy spirit does in you like so what can happen is is you go like listen well how do i know how do i know how do i know like listen if you walk in the spirit fruit is inevitable it will happen maybe not on your timeline the timeline of god and here's the thing one of the ways jesus says like how do i know that people are mine he says it's by their fruit he's referring to spiritual fruit he's referring to the fruitness of their lives so so here's the question right because i'm not the smartest tool in the shed how do you know if an apple tree is an apple tree i was looking for some help how do you know if an apple tree is an apple tree it has apples on it right how do you know if an orange tree is an orange tree it has oranges so how do you know if a christ follower is a christ follower they have the fruit of jesus on display in their lives now here's here's the other one we have to talk about then fruit is an outward sign of life i share this story if you've been around redemption you've heard it before and you'll hear it again i try to only share it five times a year so here you go number two growing up my mom's mom my grandma we had an orange tree in her kitchen she actually had wallpaper in her kitchen of oranges and on the way to her basement she had like a painted drywall picture of an orange tree now growing up you know you just like take things in and you just assume things okay so as a little kid i just thought my nana was really good at growing oranges okay because in her kitchen was an orange tree and whether it was fall winter spring or summer this orange tree always had oranges on it now i was a little naive because we never ate the oranges off the orange tree but i just assumed like i would watch her care for them like i never saw her water them but i would see her from time to time like clean off the oranges and clean off the leaves i thought like man she's so good at growing oranges and i remember being older and we were told as kids not to touch the orange tree and i was good with that until a certain age and then one time i snuck in the kitchen no one was around and i touched orange tree to my great surprise and disappointment the oranges were plastic it was not a real orange tree i was devastated like i i like held this for a couple years of like this stupid orange tree things not even real my grandma doesn't even grow oranges they're like updater profile in my mind like orange farmer nope but like if i took one of those plastic oranges and put it on a maple trees the maple tree now an orange tree no see the problem sometimes with these kind of scriptures is we'll respond to them and we'll listen i'll just start acting this way like i'll just try to do these things so i'll just take on these characters you're going to know this is an outward sign of life these things happen by the holy spirit growing inside of you they happen on the the life happens on the inside the fruit happens on the outside if you just take an orange and put it on a maple tree it doesn't make the maple tree and orange tree just like if if you try to become more patient doesn't mean you're saved by jesus it just means you're working on your patience last one is this is growth is symmetrical this is the fruit of the spirit not the fruits of the spirit suggests to you this gets taught wrong very often in the church what will happen is we'll break all these down and talk about the fruits of the spirit and we'll go these are all when i go pogos no these are all one thing like this list is the fruit and it grows symmetrical which means this like not to be the doggy downer but something to look at is you are only spiritually as mature as your weakest fruit right so like this is the point when the person as we go through the list nudges you so we go through the list you go oh that's the one like that's my lowest ring in the bucket like that's like the thing so growth is symmetrical right it all happens at once if one's a little bigger than the other one you know we go back to the other one and we go back to the other one and we go back to the other one and we go back to the other one and go god i need you to deal with me in this area of my life and here's the list he starts with love because the fruit of the spirit like what the holy spirit will always lead you to is love and by the way the greek word is agape it's the love of god like it's a holy love it's not how we define love it's how god defines love caring and serving for people based on their worth not what they can do for you or offer you in return it means caring for people that could never return the care back to you loving people like god first loved you he uses joy the words cara it means to delight in god for the sheer beauty and the worth of who he is that transcends my circumstances that's why like we as christians can have a little swagger on our stuff even when life is terrible so my circumstances are terrible but god is good like i know my father and if i know my father he's got good plans like i know i'm walking through the valley of the shadow of the death but i fear no evil because his rod and his staff they comfort and they guide me like we can have joy peace because i'm really a junior high boy in a man's body i just think it's funny that the greek word for peace is irene you know it's like a lady's name but that's what it is confidence and rest in the wisdom and the control of god rather than our own like this is a fruit that we go listen if god is good and if he's if he's the one that's in charge of my life then do i trust him with what's happening in my life today am i freaking out like can i trust that he's good can i trust that he's at work can i trust that he's got me that i could have peace and confidence and rest the reason that most of us cannot rest is because we do not really trust that god is good and therefore we lack and he talks about patience this is the ability to wait for god's timing and to face trouble without blowing up like this is like hey god it seems like you made some promises in scripture but they haven't happened yet so i'll continue to wait on your will and your timing i'll be patient i'm not going to try to force your will i'm going to wait for your will i'm not going to try to force your timeline i'll be patient and surrender to your timeline he talks about goodness the greek here really means integrity it means being the same person in every situation in the same people group not being a phony or a hypocrite becoming like the people you're around means being the true you, the true person that God's created you to be in all circumstances and situations to be good even when you're around people who are not It talks about faithfulness Faithfulness is loyal courage to be reliable and true to your word Just like when the scripture says Let your yes be your yes and your no be your no like you're faithful to your word if you say you're gonna show up you're gonna show up if you say no you really mean no to be faithful like god is faithful he talks about gentleness the words prata it actually means humility or self forgetfulness i love the way c.s lewis talks about humility he says humility is not that we think less of ourselves it's just that we think of ourselves less we put others first what we talk about last week is we begin to live other oriented lives that's what he's talking about here and then self-control this isn't self-control is the ability to pursue the important over the urgent it's to make the right choice instead of being impulsive or emotional or controlled by something it's the ability to say i will make the decision and take my desires and put them under the authority of jesus christ in my life and then this is this is where paul kinds of leads us to and goes listen if you have to choose those fruit like which choice are you gonna make you're like i want the fruit of the spirit like i want the ones that are good i want the ones that lead to life i don't want the fruit that's going to lead to decay and to rot and to harm so here's the question then is how do we go from the desires of the flesh to the desires of the spirit or how do we go from the fruit of the flesh to the fruit of the spirit and i would suggest this to you the way you answer this question will determine the rest of your theology so it's an important question to answer and you really have two options according to what we've been studying in galatians the first option is this make a list make a plan and get serious i go listen i pause see what you're saying so here's what i'm gonna do i'm gonna make a list i'm gonna come up with a game plan i'm gonna come up with a strategy i'm gonna try really really hard i'm gonna get really really serious the problem is what paul's already told us is this is doomed to fail paul says that's going back to living under the law just give me the rules and i'll follow the rules i'll do better i'll live according to to my self-control my will my plan my ability like i'll just try to get as close to an a plus as possible he's like you're doomed to fail it'll never happen i'm gonna make a list i'm gonna come up with a game plan i'm gonna come up with a strategy i'm gonna never work you cannot create the fruit of the spirit by living in the flesh so there's another option i would call the option this belong to jesus crucify the flesh and keep in step with the spirit that's what paul's calling us to listen belong to jesus and if you walk in the spirit the spirit leads you away from the flesh so so we're going to kill the flesh we're going to crucify the flesh again not our skin but the the the parts of us that aren't under control to jesus that haven't surrendered that still desire the things of satan the things of the world we're going to say hey we're going to kill those things and become more like jesus by keeping in step with the spirit galatians 5 verse 24 and those who belong to jesus christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires if we live by the spirit let us also keep in step with the spirit this is what he's calling us to listen if you belong to jesus that's an identity statement like wait a minute when i feel that conflict in my life when that guy cuts me off in traffic and i have a split second to go fruit of the spirit or fruit of the flesh it comes down to what do i believe about myself who am i paul calls us just remember you've been forgiven you've been set free remember last week you now have the hope of righteousness remember you're fully loved fully forgiven fully accepted a fully adopted son or daughter of the most expensive person in the world and it's a high god filled with the spirit and if you're keeping step with the spirit he will lead you towards life so belong to jesus crucify the flesh keep in step with the spirit and because of that we are free to acknowledge where we have failed like we're free to acknowledge the areas in our life that we are most prone to give in to the desires of the flesh and i would suggest to you it will be different for everyone but we are free to repent of our sin and to seek forgiveness and to seek strength and to be filled with the holy spirit so that we don't have to stay in the same pattern but instead can seek the freedom that christ has set us free for so i understand this crucify the flesh thing might seem weird but it's actually something that people who have followed jesus have talked about for thousands of years and what they mean is this is because of jesus we can actually put our lives on the line and we can actually put our lives on the line and we can put sin to death this is not about behavioral modification this is about strangling sin at the motivational level and saying you will not live in me it looks like this when you and i begin to experience that conflict and we see ourselves choosing the ways of the flesh instead of choosing the ways of the spirit we pause and ask ourselves those questions why why did i do that why did i choose that but why would i choose to go to the flesh and not to the flesh and not to the flesh or the ways of the world or the ways of satan or the ways of sin why would i choose that over following walking in the spirit and choosing things of life why why would i choose to disobey god why would i choose rebellion why as a christ follower would i choose to go against what my savior has said is good pure lovely and good for me why i love the way tim keller says it he says lord my heart thinks that i must have this thing otherwise i have no value it is a pseudo savior but to think and live like this is to forget what i mean to you and how you see me in christ by your spirit i will reflect on your love for me in him until
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