Galatians Chapter 5:16-26
How to Have Success Against the Flesh Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” “Walk”: “Habitual conduct'” (Vincent p. 164). “To pursue one's daily course, to accomplish one's usual tasks” (Erdman p. 118). “By the Spirit”: “Let your steps be guided by” (TCNT). “Lead the life of the Spirit” (Mof). “Live your whole life in the Spirit” (Phi). The expression by the Spirit' does not refer to some mysterious inner prompting or guidance of the Spirit. Carefully note that the influence or guidance of the Spirit is something that Christians can resist and reject (Galatians 5:18 “if”). Therefore this guidance must be understandable, clear, plain and objective. I must be able to clearly perceive it and then either accept it or reject it. Now the only objective guidance that the Holy Spirit offers is found in the message that He revealed through the Apostles (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Ephesians 3:3-5). Walking by the Spirit is far more than just reading the Bible or listening to it. It involves allowing the message to have free course in one’s life (John 8:37), and allowing the message to richly dwell within one (Colossians 3:16). “Ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”: “Shall not carry out the desire of the flesh” (NASV). “Each time Paul writes of liberty he adds a warning that it can very easily be lost. Some relapse from liberty into bondage (5:1); others turn their liberty into license (5:13)” (Stott p. 145). The battle against sin is always won or lost in our minds and hearts (Romans 6:6). As long as the "old self" still has a majority vote or the power of the "veto" in our life, then we will find ourselves failing against temptation and being a very frustrated Christian. Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the 1