Galatians 5:13-18
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law," Galatians 5:13-18.
Last time in verse 13, we looked at the war with our flesh. We ended by asking ourselves a few questions. Where do we compromise; what do we tolerate; and what governs us? Our flesh always wants us to compromise with and tolerate sin. Our flesh loves it when we are governed by our emotions and feelings instead of the truth of the Scriptures. The Scriptures bring stability to our lives in contrast with emotions and feelings which bring constant disruption and chaos. An unstable person is one who is governed by those things around him. All of us are guilty of this some of the time, and no Christian should live like this all the time. The false teachers that had infiltrated the churches in Galatia were influencing the Galatians to be selfish. They were teaching the Galatians to trust their flesh, not in the Lord. This leads to a person living to satisfy themselves, and they begin to view others as a way to please themselves. How can this person benefit me? How can my job benefit me? How can I benefit from this situation? All emphasis is on pleasing self instead of how can I glorify my Lord and Saviour? The false teachers of our day proclaim a message that teaches the people to look to themselves, trust themselves, and do all you can to please yourself. The bible describes this as fulfilling the lusts of your flesh; and that this is sinful. Let us pick up in verses 14-15.
"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another," Galatians 5:14-15. One of the evidences of knowing if you are truly saved is that you will love others, and especially the brethren (I John 3:14). Love is an action, not just some feeling. In loving others we are seeking to serve others. This means we are putting the needs of others before our own. This is the example that Jesus Christ set for us (Philippians 2:1-8).
If we are not serving each other, then we will bite and devour each other until there is nothing left. Obviously this is figuratively. To bite and devour is to be ripped apart and swallowed like an alligator eating its prey. This is a vicious act. We are given a warning here to take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Watch out that we do not destroy each other. This is mainly accomplished by the tongue. Words hurt. Remember that from the abundance of our hearts, our tongues speak. What we say is evidence that proves we are walking in the Spirit, or the flesh. Turn to Titus 2:11-3:9. "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world," Titus 2:12. "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men," Titus 3:8. How many church's have been torn apart and devoured by unspiritual people? Some people would rather see the doors of the church house closed than to not get their way. These are people who are walking to please their flesh. This leaves room to question if they are truly saved or not because they are acting just like the lost world.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh," Galatians 5:16. "Walk" in this verse is a present imperative and means to live. If you have not been, start living in the Spirit, and continue walking in the Spirit. "Spirit" in this verse means the Holy Spirit; He is the source of support, comfort, Christian joy, and triumph (Ephesians 5:15-20). The Holy Spirit has empowered us to live in obedience to the Scriptures. We live looking and longing for the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is another reason why we grow in knowledge of the Scriptures. We learn how God would have us live while we are here on this earth. We learn how He has given us power, ability, to live for Him through the Holy Spirit. If we obey, the results are wonderful and God glorifying. Form a human standpoint, we lay down every night without regret, embarrassment, and with thoughts and desires that glorify the Lord. We go to bed joyous and wake up joyous because we are walking in the Spirit. What a joy it is to obey the Scriptures from the heart. I have no doubt that we can testify how great these times are, but I also have no doubt that we can testify that we are not always walking in the Spirit.
When we are walking in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. "Fulfill" in this verse means to accomplish, fulfill, execute fully, e.g., a rule or law. "Lust" in this verse means carnal desires, appetites. "Flesh" in this verse implies sinfulness, proneness to sin the carnal nature, the seat of carnal appetites and desires, of sinful passions and affections whether physical or moral. This is opposed to the Holy Spirit and His influences (Ephesians 2:3; II Peter 2:8; I John 2:15-17). The Spirit and the flesh are against each other. This means they are hostile to each other; warring with each other; and they are constant adversaries. They are complete opposites which means they have different agendas and contrary goals. This is a constant war. The Holy Spirit will never compromise with the flesh. He will never make a truce with the flesh, there will never be a cease fire. The flesh and the Spirit will oppose each other until this sin loving flesh dies.
Listen, if you do not think you are in a battle with your flesh, then there is a good possibility that you are not truly saved. Every saved person is in this battle. This is why we cannot always do the things we want to do for the Lord (Romans 7:14-25). Every decision we make is influenced by something or someone. I am saddened to say this, but it is obvious there are times we give in to the influence of our flesh, instead of the influence of the Spirit. We cry our like Paul in Romans 7, who will deliver us from the body of this death? Even so, come Lord Jesus.
Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
