Galatians 5:16-26 (NKJV)

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

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Walking in the Spirit – The Conflict and Victory

The Fierce Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit

In Galatians 5:16-25, Paul vividly portrays an unrelenting struggle within every believer: the conflict between the “flesh,” our fallen, sin-prone nature, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. These two forces are diametrically opposed, as evidenced by their contrasting outcomes: the “works of the flesh” (e.g., adultery, idolatry, hatred, drunkenness) versus the “fruit of the Spirit” (e.g., love, joy, peace, self-control). The flesh pulls us toward self-indulgence, while the Spirit constrains us toward righteousness. This internal tug-of-war is so intense that, as Paul notes, “you do not do the things that you wish” (v. 17). Left to our own strength, victory is impossible (Romans 7:21); the desire to do good alone cannot overcome the flesh. Instead, triumph comes only through submitting to the Holy Spirit’s power and control.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification

Paul’s exhortation in this passage centers on the proper use of Christian liberty. Without the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, liberty risks degenerating into license—unrestrained indulgence in sin. “Walking in the Spirit” (v. 16) is the antidote, an expression that means living under the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment. The Greek word for “walk” here (peripateō) implies steady progress, a life actively engaged in pursuing godliness and moral purity. When we continuously yield to the Spirit, He enables us to “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires” (v. 24), subduing its lust and producing the fruit of holiness in our lives. This is a decisive act, initiated at conversion, where we turn from the old life of sin in repentance, as symbolized by crucifixion—a final and complete break.

Freedom from the Law

A person led by the Spirit experiences true freedom. They do what is right not out of legal compulsion but freely guided by the Spirit’s inner prompting. As Paul writes, “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (v. 18). This liberation delivers believers from the bondage and condemnation of the law, which the flesh could never fulfill. Instead, the Holy Spirit fulfills the law through us, reproducing the dynamic life of Christ and fostering practical godliness.

Contrasting Outcomes: Works vs. Fruit

Paul categorizes the “works of the flesh” into groups: sexual sins (e.g., adultery, fornication), pagan religious sins (e.g., idolatry, sorcery), sins of temper (e.g., hatred, jealousy), and sins of excess (e.g., drunkenness, revelries). These are plural, fragmented, and the product of human effort apart from God. In contrast, the “fruit of the Spirit” is singular and indivisible—a unified whole that only the Spirit can produce. This fruit reflects:

1. Our attitude toward God: love, joy, peace.
2. Our social relationships: long suffering, kindness, goodness.
3. Our personal conduct: faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Unlike the works of the flesh, which lead to exclusion from God’s kingdom (v. 21), the fruit of the Spirit carries no condemnation—” against such there is no law” (v. 23).

Walking in Line with the Spirit

In verse 25, Paul reinforces this call: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The Greek word for “walk” here (stoicheō) differs from verse 16, meaning “to walk in line with” or follow a prescribed path. This suggests alignment with the Spirit’s direction, a disciplined yet dynamic journey. As we grow in Christ, the Spirit monitors and empowers us, shifting obedience from mere mental adherence to rules to a heart-rooted conviction. Discernment develops, distinguishing sins driven by nature (inbred tendencies) from those nurtured by environment, and resistance strengthens through divine inhibitions—promptings of the Spirit that recall God’s Word or issue personal warnings.

The Flesh as the Believer’s Enemy

The New Testament concept of “the flesh” highlights the carnal inclinations of fallen humanity, the most immediate adversary of a believer seeking a Spirit-led life. The Greek term for “lust” (epithumia, v. 16) derives from thumos, linked to heat or passion (as in “thermostat”), suggesting an unregulated “temperature” of desire that must be directed toward godly ends. The flesh craves gratification and sanction, but the Holy Spirit equips us to wage war against self-indulgence, offering discernment to reject what is unworthy and fostering growth in Christlike character. Victory lies in abiding in Christ, recognizing that true strength emerges in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and submitting to the Spirit’s urging.

The Goal: A Kingdom Lifestyle

For followers of Jesus, the aim is to walk in both the power and character of God’s kingdom. Through the Holy Spirit, God provides authority and strength to live a distinctive lifestyle—one that shines as light in a dark world and acts as salt, influencing its surroundings (Matthew 5:13-16). This dynamic devotion, rooted in grace, frees us from the law’s constraints and fulfills its intent through the indwelling Spirit, who reproduces Christ’s life in us.

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Summary

Galatians 5:16-26 reveals the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. By walking in the Spirit, we overcome the flesh, experience freedom from the law, and bear fruit that reflects God’s nature. This passage calls us to a lifelong journey of submission and growth, where the Spirit’s empowerment turns liberty into holiness, aligning us with the path of righteousness and equipping us to live as ones “dead to ourselves but alive to Christ” through His cross and resurrection.

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