Galatians 5:16-26 | Spirit-Powered: Thriving in an age of Instant Gratification

Spirit-Powered: Thriving in an age of Instant Gratification” (Galatians 5:16-26)

V.16-18 There’s a daily war for control of our thoughts, desires, and actions. Two choices in life: Live inwardly for the flesh or live upwardly for the Spirit.

V.19 fruit of the flesh: Sensual Sin; V.20 religious sins of worship; sorcery; people sins.

V.21 It’s the habitual, unrepentant sin that is the problem.

V.22-23 Love is first, the other 8 just describe what love looks like in action. Fruit comes naturally from a well-fed root. It’s not forced. Fruit reproduces itself. It’s attractive, healthy and is pleasurable. It is an indicator of a healthy tree.

Application: V. 24-26 Walking or keeping in step with the Spirit is how we provide the environment for the Spirit to do the fruit producing. We participate by cultivating the soil for him to do it. How?

1. Sow to the field of the Spirit. Gal 6:8-9 It’s like having 2 fields we can plant in. Sowing to our flesh means developing our sinful desires by nurturing and indulging it so that it grows and produces bad fruit. Romans 8:5, Paul says that setting the mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace, while setting it on the flesh leads to death. The battlefield is our mind. Romans 13:14 tells us to “make no provision for the flesh.” When old temptations, or ways of thinking arise, we choose to starve them by not indulging in those thoughts or habits, instead immediately purposefully, bringing our focus back to the field of the Spirit.
2. Spiritual Soil Preparation:
   1. Feed: Goal is deep roots, maturity.
      1. Water with the word. Keeping in step with the Spirit means finding out what God says about the human condition and identity and responding by faith in obedience to his Word, so we don’t continue to listen to the lies of the old master’s condemnation and control.
      2. Fertilizing your soul with the Spirit’s guidance. Create space for the Spirit’s voice. This means responding immediately to the gentle nudging of the spirit.
   2. Weed (confession). We all have “weeds” that need to be pulled – habits, thoughts, or actions that choke out spiritual growth. Confession is agreeing with what God says about your sin.
3. Share the Harvest: Serve Others in Love – The fruit of the Spirit is not just for us; it’s to bless others. A healthy plant yields fruit that others can enjoy, just as love, kindness, and patience are meant to impact others. Look for ways to serve and love others.
4. Practice Seasonal Pruning Just as farmers prune during specific seasons for better growth, we need regular seasons of intentional spiritual assessment and pruning.

Practical example if tempted to sin.

1. Pause when triggered or tempted in order to immediately identify what caused the trigger and what your emotional state was. Recognize what provision you made to trigger the flesh in order to cut it off.
2. Recognize the lie behind the sin and recall the truth about the situation. Ex: The lie: I deserve respect and my rights. The truth: I don’t’ know their situation, my worth isn’t determined by their actions.
3. Ask for the Spirit’s guidance. Pray, “Holy Spirit, I need your help to replace this anger with patience, humility and understanding. Lead me to respond as Jesus would.” This is a moment-by-moment surrender, asking God to guide your reaction instead of your flesh.
4. Yield to the truth with the Spirit’s help. Instead of trying to “fight” anger head-on, concentrate on what God wants to grow in you instead, like patience, understanding, or kindness.

If I make a mess, I confess.