Walking in the Spirit: Overcoming the Flesh's Pull

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves caught in a struggle similar to crabs in a pot, pulling each other down instead of lifting each other up. This analogy reflects the concern Paul had for the church in Galatia, where believers were devouring one another instead of serving each other in love. The essence of our calling is to experience true freedom, not by indulging the flesh, but by walking in the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, is the antidote to the divisiveness and chaos that can plague our lives and communities. This fruit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work within us.

Walking in the Spirit is not about suppressing the desires of the flesh through sheer willpower, as the flesh is inherently unfixable. Instead, it is about allowing the Spirit to override these desires. This is akin to the law of aerodynamics overriding the law of gravity, enabling an airplane to fly. Similarly, when we walk in the Spirit, we rise above the flesh's pull, allowing the Spirit to guide us toward God's will.

To walk in the Spirit, we must have a clear destination, which is the will of God. This requires dependency on the Holy Spirit, trusting Him to empower our steps. It also involves dedication, taking consistent steps of faith, not just talking about faith. This walk is a relationship, not a set of rules, and it transforms us from the inside out, producing fruit that blesses others.

The Fruit of the Spirit is singular, indicating that these virtues are interconnected and stem from the same source—the Holy Spirit. As we cultivate this fruit in our lives, we become a blessing to others, reflecting the character of Christ. This transformation is not about perfection but about progress, as the Spirit continually works within us to override the flesh and produce a life that glorifies God.

Key Takeaways:

- The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a civil war within us, driven by opposing desires. The flesh seeks self-satisfaction independently of God, while the Spirit desires to please God, even at the expense of self. This inner conflict is the essence of temptation, and the solution is to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to override the flesh's desires. [06:16]

- Walking in the Spirit involves having a clear destination—the will of God. It requires dependency on the Holy Spirit to empower our steps and dedication to consistently move toward God's will. This walk is not passive but an active relationship with the Spirit, transforming our lives from the inside out. [17:41]

- The Fruit of the Spirit is a singular, unified manifestation of the Spirit's work within us. These virtues—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are interconnected and stem from the same source. Cultivating this fruit makes us a blessing to others, reflecting the character of Christ. [25:09]

- The law of aerodynamics illustrates how walking in the Spirit overrides the flesh's pull, similar to how an airplane defies gravity. The Spirit elevates us, enabling us to rise above self-centered desires and conflicts, leading to a life of peace and harmony with others. [15:20]

- The transformation brought by the Spirit is not about perfection but progress. As we walk in the Spirit, we find ourselves changing, becoming less controlled by the flesh and more aligned with God's will. This ongoing process produces a life that glorifies God and blesses those around us. [26:39]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - The Crab Mentality
[01:50] - Paul's Concern for Galatia
[03:19] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[05:10] - Walking in the Spirit
[06:36] - The Civil War Within
[08:39] - The Desire of the Flesh
[10:38] - The Unfixable Flesh
[12:52] - Overcoming the Flesh
[15:03] - The Law of Aerodynamics
[17:22] - Ingredients of Walking in the Spirit
[19:08] - Dependency on the Spirit
[21:09] - Walking by Faith
[22:34] - The Mindset of the Spirit
[24:38] - The Unified Fruit of the Spirit
[26:20] - The Spirit's Overriding Power

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 5:13-26
- Romans 8:1-4

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul warn the Galatians about in Galatians 5:13-15, and how does this relate to the "crab mentality" mentioned in the sermon? [01:50]

2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the components of the Fruit of the Spirit, and how are they described in the sermon? [03:19]

3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between walking in the Spirit and the desires of the flesh? [06:16]

4. What analogy does the sermon use to explain how walking in the Spirit can override the desires of the flesh? [15:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Fruit of the Spirit can address divisiveness within a community? [05:25]

2. How does the sermon explain the concept of "walking in the Spirit" as an active relationship rather than a passive state? [17:41]

3. What does the sermon imply about the nature of the flesh and its desires, and how should believers respond to these desires? [09:15]

4. How does the sermon use the law of aerodynamics to illustrate the power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life? [15:20]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent conflict or disagreement you had. How might walking in the Spirit have changed your response or the outcome? [05:25]

2. Identify one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit that you find challenging to cultivate. What specific steps can you take this week to focus on developing this trait? [03:19]

3. The sermon mentions the importance of having a clear destination in mind when walking in the Spirit. What is one area of your life where you need to seek God's will more intentionally? [18:33]

4. Consider a situation where you felt the pull of the flesh's desires. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching on dependency on the Holy Spirit to overcome these desires? [20:01]

5. The sermon describes the transformation brought by the Spirit as progress rather than perfection. How can you measure progress in your spiritual journey, and what small step can you take this week to move forward? [26:39]

6. Think of a person in your life who might be experiencing the "crab mentality." How can you encourage them to walk in the Spirit and support them in their journey? [01:50]

7. The sermon emphasizes the interconnectedness of the Fruit of the Spirit. How can you create an environment in your home or community that fosters the growth of these virtues? [25:09]

Devotional

Day 1: The Inner Conflict of Desires
The struggle between the flesh and the Spirit is a profound internal conflict that every believer experiences. The flesh seeks self-satisfaction and independence from God, while the Spirit desires to please God, even at the expense of self. This civil war within us is the essence of temptation, where opposing desires clash. The solution to this struggle is to walk in the Spirit, allowing Him to override the flesh's desires. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's will and experience true freedom. This is not a battle won by sheer willpower but by surrendering to the Spirit's guidance and strength. [06:16]

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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."

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 guide you in this area today?

Day 2: The Journey Toward God's Will
Walking in the Spirit involves having a clear destination, which is the will of God. This journey requires dependency on the Holy Spirit to empower our steps and dedication to consistently move toward God's will. It is not a passive experience but an active relationship with the Spirit that transforms our lives from the inside out. As we walk in the Spirit, we are called to take consistent steps of faith, trusting in the Spirit's power to lead us. This journey is about progress, not perfection, as we grow closer to God and align our lives with His purposes. [17:41]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to actively pursue God's will in your life? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in this step?

Day 3: The Unified Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit is a singular, unified manifestation of the Spirit's work within us. These virtues—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are interconnected and stem from the same source. As we cultivate this fruit in our lives, we become a blessing to others, reflecting the character of Christ. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about making progress as the Spirit continually works within us. By allowing the Spirit to produce this fruit, we glorify God and positively impact those around us. [25:09]

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 lacking in your life? How can you intentionally cultivate this virtue with the Spirit's help today?

Day 4: Rising Above Self-Centered Desires
The law of aerodynamics illustrates how walking in the Spirit overrides the flesh's pull, similar to how an airplane defies gravity. The Spirit elevates us, enabling us to rise above self-centered desires and conflicts, leading to a life of peace and harmony with others. By walking in the Spirit, we are empowered to overcome the limitations of the flesh and live in alignment with God's purposes. This transformation allows us to experience true freedom and joy as we live in harmony with God and others. [15:20]

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Reflection: Consider a conflict or challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to rise above this situation and respond in a way that reflects God's love and peace?

Day 5: Progress, Not Perfection
The transformation brought by the Spirit is not about perfection but progress. As we walk in the Spirit, we find ourselves changing, becoming less controlled by the flesh and more aligned with God's will. This ongoing process produces a life that glorifies God and blesses those around us. It is a journey of growth and transformation, where the Spirit continually works within us to produce a life that reflects the character of Christ. By focusing on progress, we can celebrate the small victories and trust in the Spirit's power to lead us toward greater maturity in our faith. [26:39]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent area of growth in your spiritual journey. How can you continue to make progress in this area, trusting in the Spirit's work within you?

Quotes

Paul was concerned about this crab mentality in the church at Galatia. He was concerned about Christians devouring one another. He says in Galatians 5:3, "For you are called to Freedom, Brethren, only do not use your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." [00:01:53]

The Holy Spirit is a fruit-bearing tree and is set against the backdrop of this devouring one another. In fact, he ends this session and section in verse 26, "Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another." You see the words "one another." He's concerned that the household of faith, Believers, are in such Discord that it is being destructive. [00:03:50]

But I say walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are in opposition to one another so that you may not do the things that you please. [00:06:00]

He says you have within you, I have within me, a civil war going on. It's a civil war between the Flesh and the Spirit. So let's get our terms straight. The flesh is that desire to please oneself independently of God. Let me define that again. The flesh is your desire, my desire, our desire to please ourselves independently of God. [00:06:30]

He does not say stop the desire of the flesh so you can walk in the Spirit. That's backwards. He says walk in the Spirit, and you won't carry out the desire of the flesh. So you don't beat the flesh by fixing the flesh. Guess why? The flesh is unfixable. You cannot keep your flesh from being fleshy. [00:09:01]

So what people settle for is flesh management. Let me tell you something else that's a mistake because we all trying to get to this tree called the fruit. Another thing that's a mistake is trying to turn the flesh into the Spirit. The Flesh and the Spirit are distinct. There are two distinct realities in The Believer. [00:10:03]

So you see, Paul is saying the same thing. If you want to overcome the flesh, you do it by learning what it means to walk in the Spirit, which doesn't stop the desire of the flesh. So stop feeling bad that your flesh wants to be fleshy. That's not the problem. The problem is yielding to it, not having it. [00:13:34]

When you and I walk in the Spirit, God now elevates us to override what the flesh is craving us to do, which leads not only to self-centeredness within us but which also leads to conflict with others. So you know the solution to our issues is learning to walk in the Spirit because then the flesh, no matter how much it desires, won't have the last say. [00:15:31]

Walking in the Spirit is not passive. You're not sitting down and waiting for a jolt from Heaven. You are doing the walking, but the realm in which you are doing it is the Spirit's realm. A lot of Christians do a lot of activity, but they do it in the wrong environment. They think that simply by doing actions, they are moving spiritually. [00:17:41]

Once you decide this is what God says about this, this is what God wants, and this is the direction I am going to go, then you call on the Holy Spirit to enable and empower the movement. You don't lean on your flesh to move because your flesh doesn't want to go. Your flesh wants to stay back and do the self-centered desire. [00:19:52]

That's why the Bible calls it walking by faith, not leaping by faith, jumping by faith, walking by faith. Why? Because you are now moving in the area of your decision. So you've decided on your destination, you've asked the Holy Spirit to empower that decision, and now you begin to take movements that demonstrate you're believing the Holy Spirit to do it. [00:21:09]

The fruit of the Spirit is singular, even though it is going to list a whole list of fruit. Why? Because these are all unified, meaning they come from the one tree, the Spirit, called fruit. That is, he bursts these characteristics, but you don't have to go looking for all these different things, looking for love, looking for peace, looking for patience, looking for kindness, and so on and so forth. [00:24:38]

Walking in the Spirit: Overcoming the Flesh's Pull

Summary

Study Guide

Devotional

Quotes

Chatbot

Walking in the Spirit: Overcoming the Flesh's Pull