Walking in the Spirit: Unity and Service

Aug 03, 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Walking by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

To walk by the Spirit means to live in daily dependence on God, allowing His presence to guide and empower every thought, word, and action. The flesh, by contrast, is our old self—dead in sin, resistant to God, and prone to destructive patterns. Even after coming to Christ, the pull of the flesh remains, but the Spirit gives us the power to resist and live differently. This week, as you serve or support others, remember that true spiritual fruit comes not from your own willpower, but from surrendering to the Spirit’s leading. When you sense the old ways rising up, bring them to God and ask Him to crucify them, so that your service and relationships are marked by His life, not your old nature. [41:30]

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

Reflection: Where today do you sense the pull of your old self? What would it look like to pause and ask the Holy Spirit to take over in that moment, rather than trying to handle it in your own strength?

Day 2: Be On Guard Against the Deeds of the Flesh

The deeds of the flesh are not just obvious sins, but subtle attitudes and habits that can creep into our lives and ministries—sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, strife, jealousy, anger, selfish ambition, and more. These patterns, if left unchecked, not only harm our relationship with God but can also hinder the work of the church and damage our fellowship with others. Recognizing these tendencies in ourselves is not a reason to despair, but an invitation to bring them honestly before God for cleansing and transformation. Confession and repentance are the pathway to renewed fellowship and effective service, ensuring that our lives and ministries are not stumbling blocks but channels of God’s grace. [58:21]

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Reflection: Is there a specific deed of the flesh—perhaps a hidden attitude or recurring behavior—that you need to confess to God today? How might bringing it into the light change your relationships and service this week?

Day 3: The Fruit of the Spirit—God’s Life in Us

The fruit of the Spirit is not a list of virtues to strive for by sheer effort, but the natural result of abiding in Christ and walking in fellowship with Him. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the evidence of God’s transforming work within us. These qualities are not for our own benefit alone, but are meant to bless others and point them to Christ. As you serve, remember that the Spirit’s fruit is produced as you surrender your will, your plans, and your emotions to God, trusting Him to work through you in every interaction and challenge. [01:14:10]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you most desire to see grow in your life this week? What is one practical way you can invite the Spirit to cultivate that quality in your interactions today?

Day 4: Daily Surrender and Spiritual Renewal

A life filled with the Spirit is not achieved by willpower or religious activity, but by daily surrender—coming before God in humility, confessing sin, and yielding every part of your life to Him. Just as the priests in the Old Testament needed daily cleansing, so we need to come to God each day for renewal and restoration. This daily practice of surrender and prayer is how we are filled with the Spirit, prepared for whatever service or challenge lies ahead. When you start your day by offering your heart, mind, and actions to God, you open yourself to His transforming grace and power. [01:36:17]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: How can you intentionally begin your day with a prayer of surrender, asking God to fill you with His Spirit and guide your steps? What specific area of your life needs to be yielded to Him today?

Day 5: Unity and Fellowship—Guarding Against Division

God’s Spirit seeks to unify His people, drawing us together in love and purpose, while the flesh seeks to divide through enmity, strife, and factions. True fellowship—whether in church, ministry, or family—requires humility, forgiveness, and a willingness to let go of grudges and selfish ambitions. Communion with God and one another is both a gift and a responsibility, calling us to examine our hearts and pursue reconciliation where needed. As you serve and interact with others, be vigilant against the seeds of division, and instead, seek to be a peacemaker, reflecting the unity that Christ has purchased for us. [01:42:04]

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Reflection: Is there someone in your church, ministry, or family with whom you need to seek reconciliation or extend forgiveness? What step can you take today to pursue unity and reflect the Spirit’s work in your relationships?

Sermon Summary

This week marks a special time in our church as we prepare for Vacation Bible School, a ministry that brings together nearly everyone in our community—whether teaching, leading, cooking, praying, or simply supporting from home. As we step into this week of service, it’s vital to remember that our effectiveness and unity depend not on our own strength, but on walking by the Spirit. Galatians 5 reminds us that there is a constant battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. The deeds of the flesh—immorality, strife, jealousy, anger, and more—are not just personal failings; they threaten our fellowship with God and with one another, and can undermine the very work we hope to accomplish.

We are called to be vigilant, recognizing that the flesh is not something we can reform or improve by willpower. Instead, we must bring our weaknesses and failures to the Lord, asking Him to crucify them and fill us anew with His Spirit. This is not just for those on the front lines of ministry, but for every member of the body. Even those who feel uninvolved have a crucial role, as the health of the whole church depends on each person’s walk with God.

The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is not a checklist to achieve, but the natural outflow of a life surrendered to Christ. These qualities are not for our own benefit, but for the blessing and building up of others. As we serve, we must remember that true spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured by effort; it is produced as we abide in Christ, daily seeking His cleansing, guidance, and strength.

This week, let us submit ourselves wholly to God, asking Him to fill us with His Spirit so that our service is marked by His love and power. Whether we are teaching, praying, or supporting from home, may our actions be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, resisting the pull of the flesh, and bringing glory to God in all we do. In doing so, we not only bless those we serve, but we ourselves are transformed, and the enemy’s schemes are defeated by the power of God at work in us.

Key Takeaways

1. The battle between flesh and Spirit is ongoing, even for believers. The flesh cannot be improved or managed by willpower; it must be crucified by surrendering to Christ. When we see the deeds of the flesh in our lives—whether in obvious sins or subtle attitudes—we are called to bring them to God for cleansing, not to hide or justify them. [55:33]
2. Spiritual fruit is not a product of human effort, but of abiding in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is singular and comprehensive; all aspects—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—grow together as we walk with the Lord. Attempting to force these qualities by willpower only produces counterfeit results; true fruit comes from daily fellowship and dependence on the Spirit. [74:10]
3. Our service, whether public or unseen, affects the whole body of Christ. Even those who feel uninvolved play a vital role; a single member walking in the flesh can hinder the work of the entire church. Unity and effectiveness in ministry require each of us to walk in the Spirit, supporting one another in humility and love, and being vigilant against attitudes or actions that divide. [49:09]
4. The fruit of the Spirit is for the benefit of others, not ourselves. Just as a tree’s fruit nourishes others, the Spirit’s work in us is meant to bless, encourage, and build up those around us. Serving with love, patience, and kindness—especially in challenging moments—reflects Christ to others and brings lasting, eternal impact. [86:13]
5. Spiritual warfare is real, especially when advancing God’s kingdom. Weeks like Vacation Bible School often bring heightened challenges and opposition, but victory comes not by striving in our own strength, but by submitting to God and being filled with His Spirit. As we resist the enemy by walking in the Spirit, God’s work is accomplished and His glory revealed. [47:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[14:35] - Discipleship and Fall Plans
[38:55] - Introduction to Galatians 5
[41:30] - Prayer for the Church and VBS
[45:26] - The Importance of Serving Together
[47:53] - Spiritual Warfare in Ministry
[49:09] - Everyone’s Role in Church Life
[50:32] - Be Alert for the Deeds of the Flesh
[52:36] - The Origin and Nature of the Flesh
[55:33] - Crucifying the Flesh by the Spirit
[56:45] - The Four Categories of Fleshly Deeds
[59:45] - Sexual, Religious, Relational, and Indulgent Sins
[73:08] - Walking by the Spirit: The Fruit of the Spirit
[74:10] - The Nature of Spiritual Fruit
[81:16] - Love, Joy, and Peace Explained
[83:47] - Patience, Kindness, and Goodness
[87:42] - Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control
[92:54] - How to Cultivate Spiritual Fruit
[96:17] - Surrender and Prayer for the Week
[102:04] - Communion: Unity in Christ
[106:03] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[111:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Walking by the Spirit in Service

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:16–26 (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. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5, what are some of the specific “deeds of the flesh” that Paul lists, and how are they grouped in the sermon? [[59:45]]
What does Paul say is the result of “walking by the Spirit” instead of the flesh? [[01:13:08]]
In the sermon, what is emphasized about the word “fruit” being singular rather than plural in Galatians 5:22? [[01:14:10]]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between our personal walk with God and the health of the whole church body? [[49:09]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul warn that those who practice the deeds of the flesh “will not inherit the kingdom of God”? What does the sermon say this means for believers and for those who are not yet in Christ? [[56:45]]
The sermon says the flesh cannot be improved or managed by willpower, but must be crucified by surrendering to Christ. What does this look like practically in a believer’s daily life? [[55:33]]
The fruit of the Spirit is described as a natural outflow of a life surrendered to Christ, not a checklist to achieve. How does this challenge the way we often try to “be better Christians”? [[01:14:10]]
The sermon mentions that even those who feel uninvolved in church activities play a vital role in the spiritual health of the church. Why is this, and what are the possible consequences if one member is “walking in the flesh”? [[49:09]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that when we see the deeds of the flesh in our lives—whether obvious sins or subtle attitudes—we are called to bring them to God for cleansing, not to hide or justify them. Is there a specific “deed of the flesh” you’ve noticed in your own life recently? What would it look like to bring this to God honestly this week? [[55:33]]
Think about a time when you tried to “force” yourself to be loving, joyful, or patient by willpower alone. How did that go? How might it look different to seek these qualities by abiding in Christ instead? [[01:14:10]]
The sermon highlights that the fruit of the Spirit is for the benefit of others, not ourselves. Who in your life right now could be blessed by you showing them love, patience, or kindness? What is one practical way you could do this in the coming days? [[01:26:13]]
The message warns that even those not “on the front lines” of ministry can either support or hinder the work of the church by their walk with God. If you’re not directly involved in a ministry this week, what is one way you can support the body—through prayer, encouragement, or another action? [[49:09]]
The sermon says that spiritual warfare is real, especially when advancing God’s kingdom. Have you ever experienced unusual challenges or opposition when serving God? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of this message? [[47:53]]
Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you find most challenging. What is one specific step you can take this week to surrender this area to God and ask for His Spirit to work in you? [[01:14:10]]
The sermon encourages daily surrender and prayer for God’s Spirit to fill us. What would it look like for you to start each day this week with a simple prayer of surrender? Would you be willing to try this and share with the group how it goes? [[01:36:17]]

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to fill each person with His Spirit and to bear His fruit in their lives and service this week.

Sermon Clips

41s

#CallToNewLife

“Our flesh wants to keep on walking according to our old life, our old ways. Our flesh likes our old ways. And it can't know any different. It's dead. It's still dead. It's never going to change. Our flesh is unredeemable. Our flesh is unimprovable. There is no grace given to us to transform it. But there is grace given to us to crucify it. Not at our own strength. We crucify our flesh by bringing it to the Lord for him to crucify. It's that humble admission, Lord, I can't do this. I bring this to you. Please crucify this in my life.”

23s

#SpiritUnitesNotDivides

“The religious sins show us that it is possible to do religious stuff that is still sinful. We sometimes think, well, they teach Sunday school. It must be good. Well, here we're seeing that it is possible to do religious activity in a way that is still dishonoring to God. Just because something is religious does not mean that it is righteous.”

28s

#GuardAgainstFlesh

“God's Spirit seeks to unify His people. God's Spirit wants to bring His people to be together, to be a part of His work in this world. Our flesh wants to divide from God's people, to be a lone ranger, to allow divisions and minor insults and issues from times past to keep being a wedge in our relationship with God and His people today.”

25s

#FruitIsOne

“Jesus gave you his Spirit. He went to the cross for those sins so that you don't have to fight this battle in your strength. So often the Lord just makes these things aware in our lives to bring about purification, to show us this is what you're doing. Now bring that to me to crucify that I might then live my life through you.”

27s

#RestInGodsSovereignty

“``Paul's joy wasn't because everything was always great Paul's joy was because he knew God and he knew that God had a good and redemptive plan for whatever God allowed into Paul's life and so even if Paul didn't know the particulars about why a situation was going the way it was going Paul knew God and he knew that God was good and powerful and wise and whatever God brought was the best thing for Paul and so Paul could rejoice in it.”

24s

#SelfReflectionAndPrayer

“When our life is produced by the work of the Spirit, we won't be mastered by our emotions. The Holy Spirit's not going up and down on a roller coaster, and neither will we. We won't be ruled by our flesh. We won't be ruled by circumstances. We won't be ruled by what other people say. We'll be submitted to the Lord and His truth, and we'll have self -control.”

27s

“We do not resist Satan in our own strength or by our own will. We resist him, as James 4, 7 says, by submitting to God, by being filled with his spirit, because when we do, James says that Satan, the devil, will flee. So may the Lord's spirit fill your service this week so that it yields his eternal fruit within you and through you for his glory and for your joy.”

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