"The Spirit vs. the Flesh" September 26 Readings: Galatians 5-6

Today's Reading - Galatians 5-6

Background

Galatians 5 is one of those mountaintops of the Bible and one of the formative texts for my ministry. It begins with a strong rebuke to the Galatians who had begun so well, being saved by grace but had now turned toward the law of God to try to live in the flesh. Verse 12 is probably the strongest thing Paul says in any of his letters, wishing those who pushed circumcision and the Jewish law would just go ahead go all the way - emasculating themselves. It shows how strongly Paul feels about the works of the law.

He then turns to a contrast between the life of the Spirit and that of the flesh, that which the law produces. The life of the Spirit leads us away from the works of the flesh.

Chapter 6 carries a series of final instructions, then a last exhortation written in Paul's own hand - the rest of the book was likely dictated to a scribe.

His first instruction can seem odd after his harsh words in chapter 5. After his rebuke of false teachers he advocates for gentle rebuke of fellow believers. False teachers got harsh treatment, erring brothers were dealt with in patience. Verse 7 reminds us that we reap what we sow and then he wraps up the letter in his own hand reinforcing his message that they should not be distracted from the teaching of the Cross. 

Devotional - Spirit vs. Flesh

 Paul articulates, in Galatians 5, the clear difference between walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit of God. Those who have been redeemed are called to walk in the freedom of Christ and not under the power of the flesh.

In verse 1, Paul warns the Galatians against regressing from the high standing they have achieved by God's grace to a life lived by the works of the law and the slavery that brings. In verses 2-15, Paul explains the tragedy of such a choice - having experienced God's grace and then returning to walking in the flesh and living by works.

Then, in verses 16-24, Paul clearly differentiates the life of the flesh and the life of the Spirit. He begins with a warning against gratifying the desires of the flesh because they stand in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit.

Simply put, there is a clear and unmistakable difference between how someone acts when they are walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. It's one or the other. Paul lists the things that mark those who are walking in the flesh.

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. (19-21)

But the Spirit produces a different kind of fruit. 

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

Are you walking in the flesh or in the Spirit? It's not that hard to discern. If your life is marked by the behaviors on the first list, you are squandering the grace of God by walking in the power of the flesh, the old nature that Jesus died to defeat. If you are walking in the Spirit, your life will evidence love and joy and peace and all the rest. 

Father, may your Spirit produce fruit in my life, the fruit of Christ, that the works of the flesh might be destroyed. 

Think and Pray

Read through the two lists - the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Which list bests describes your life? Are you walking in the power of the flesh or the fullness of the Spirit?