Live by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

Galatians

Galatians 5:13-6:10

GAL_008

NET Bible Text

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, "You must love your neighbor as yourself." 5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. 5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. 5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 5:21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God! 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another. 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too. 6:2 Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 6:4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 6:5 For each one will carry his own load. 6:6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it. 6:7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 6:8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 6:9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. 6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

Simple Summary

Paul teaches that Christian freedom is not freedom to sin. Believers must serve one another in love and walk by the Spirit. The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict, and the fruit of the Spirit shows a Spirit-led life.

What This Passage Means

Paul first says that believers were called to freedom, but that freedom must not become a chance to satisfy sinful desire. Instead, it should show itself in loving service to others. Love fulfills the heart of God’s moral command to love your neighbor as yourself. If believers keep hurting each other, they are not living as they should.

Paul then gives the main command: walk by the Spirit. The Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other. The flesh turns toward sin, while the Spirit leads toward what is good. Those who are led by the Spirit are not under the law as the ruling covenant power.

Paul lists the works of the flesh and warns that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He then lists the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit shows what the Spirit produces in a believer’s life.

Paul also says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. That means the flesh no longer rules them, though the conflict still remains. So believers must keep in step with the Spirit and not become proud, angry, or jealous.

In the last part of the passage, Paul applies this to church life. If someone is caught in sin, mature believers should restore that person gently. They should also watch themselves, carry one another’s burdens, and avoid pride and comparison. Paul then says that God is not mocked: a person reaps what he sows. Those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life. So believers must not grow weary in doing good, but keep helping others, especially fellow believers.

Important Truths

• Christian freedom is meant for loving service, not sinful self-indulgence.
• Believers are told to walk by the Spirit, because the flesh and the Spirit are in conflict.
• The works of the flesh are serious and bring a kingdom warning.
• The fruit of the Spirit shows the kind of life the Spirit produces.
• Those who belong to Christ must not let pride, jealousy, or provocation rule them.
• Spirit-led believers should gently restore the sinning, carry burdens, and do good to all.
• God’s sowing-and-reaping rule means present choices have lasting results.

Warnings, Promises, or Commands

• Do not use freedom as an opening for the flesh.
• Serve one another in love.
• Walk by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.
• Do not provoke, envy, or compare yourselves with others.
• Restore a sinning brother or sister gently, and watch yourself so you are not tempted too.
• Do not grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap if you do not give up.
• Those who practice the works of the flesh are warned that they will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• The promise is that those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life.

How This Fits in God's Plan

This passage shows how God’s people are to live under the life-giving work of the Spirit in Christ. The law’s true aim is fulfilled in love, and the Spirit produces the kind of character that fits God’s kingdom. Paul presents a life shaped by Christ, marked by holiness, humility, and perseverance.

Simple Application

Use your freedom to serve, not to feed sinful desire. Help others gently, carry burdens, and keep doing good even when it is hard. Judge your own life honestly and ask the Spirit to shape your thoughts, words, and actions.