16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18
As Christians, we have a constant every day battle between two life styles. Life by the Spirit, or life by the flesh. The flesh can also be identified as our sin nature. Living with the Holy Spirit is the only way we can defeat the flesh.
Life by the flesh
Living by the flesh, or our sinful nature, is contrary to they way we need to live as Christians. Here is the way that our sinful nature tries to get us to live:
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21
A life according to the flesh is a life of sin. Take a look at the last part of verse 21 again: "I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." This stuff listed in this passage is all sin. It is sooo important that we do not live according to the flesh because if we do, we will not inherit the kingdom of God! However, there is an easy way to conquer the fleshy part of your life.
7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
Romans 8: 7-8
Life by the Spirit
"1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Romans 8:1-2
God has given us his Holy Spirit to set us free from the temptation of our sin nature. The Holy Spirit is the mind of God. God uses the Holy Spirit to speak to us and lead us in His will. Everyone who has received Christ has the power to overcome the flesh because we posses the Holy Spirit.
9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:9-11
As long as we have the Spirit, we are not in the realm of the flesh! As long as Christ is inside of us the Spirit gives us life even though we deserve death for our sin.
So, what does living in the Spirit look like?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
If you live a life filled with the fruits of the Spirit, then there will not be enough room for the fruits of our fleshy sin nature! If we live according to the Spirit, then the Spirit will remind us of the fruit of the spirit when we are tempted to give into the fruit of our sin nature.
Living in the Spirit instead of the flesh is a constant day to day battle. We have to make a daily choice to keep in step with the Spirit.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:24-26
We need to crucify our sin nature and it's desires daily or we will not be able to live in step with the Spirit.
Choosing to walk instep with the Spirit is not always the easy way. Sometimes it is so hard! The easy way out can be to foll0w our fleshly desires. But, life in step with the Spirit has SO much more to offer! When we follow the Holy Spirit, we are following exactly what God wants us to do!
