Galatians 5:16-21

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 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.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

đź’ˇHow to do your quiet time

We have two choices. We can either live by the Spirit or we can live in our own strength. The two don’t work together. The desires of the flesh are contrary to the desires of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit moves us towards loving service while the flesh moves us towards selfish living and conflict. In our own strength, we will not naturally move towards loving unity. Those who live for the desires of the flesh end up living a lifestyle characterised by all manner of sins. This list is not exhaustive because Paul ends his list with “and things like these”. Those who live in the flesh like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. This does not mean that people who practice this kind of lifestyle will not be saved. Paul’s letter is to believers, warning them not to live by the flesh and end up like this. Unfortunately, believers can live by the flesh. While those believers will enter the kingdom of God, they will not inherit it—they will not receive a reward for their work.

2 thoughts on “Galatians 5:16-21”

  1. I learnt to ensure that I live in the spirit and that I “dwelm in Him” because I cannot live in my own strength

  2. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit” this is what stood out to me. Like we can’t want earthly things and then still say that we want to do everything for God.

Comments are closed.