Refresh
A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon

Preaching Text: Galatians 5:16-26

Jesus makes it clear that our Heavenly Father expects our lives to bear fruit that glorifies him (John 15:8).  When a person becomes a Christian, he or she immediately desires to obey God’s law and bear such fruit.  However, rival desires to serve the old nature remain in each Christian, making the life of faith a real struggle.  In Galatians 5, Paul sets at opposites the “desires of the flesh” and the “Spirit.”  He is explicit in telling Christians to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v.16). 

God sets the Christian free to serve and obey him by following the Spirit.

Paul says the works of the flesh are evident, but still spells out more than a dozen examples.  The list is offensive and hard for believers to read.  (For a contemporary paraphrase, read Eugene Peterson’s version in The Message, Galatians 5:19-21).  In contrast, the more desirable “fruit of the Spirit” is listed. This fruit is what will naturally begin to appear in the lives of a person who is following the Spirit’s guidance.

Although Christians are forgiven for sin, it is expected that the old passions and desires of the flesh have been crucified (v. 24).  Crucifixion is intentional, cruel, deadly, and takes a while to be completed.  Keep these things in mind as you address your lingering sinful desires.  Listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and instruction as you build new habits and tastes for heavenly things.  Such things classically include worship, prayer, Scripture, serving, giving, etc. “If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25).

Taking It Home: Discuss the various kinds of fruit you see in your life and the habits that support them.