Introduction: Are we in a fight or what? Do you feel the war within, not only with principalities and powers but also from the flesh?

1. How can you tell we are in a FIGHT? (Gal 5:16) – “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

First of all, look at the word “walk”. It is the word περιπατέω, (per-ee-pat-eh’-o). It means to conduct my life, or the way we live. So we are to “walk” in the Spirit. In so doing, we will not fulfill the “lust” of the flesh.

The word “lust” is ἐπιθυμία,(ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah). It means to desire, or an eagerness for; it can mean an inordinate desire, or simply put lust. Please notice the desire “lust” is for the FLESH.

2. Who wins the Fight? (Gal 5:17-21) – “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. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Wow! This is an ugly description of the bad fruit of the Flesh.

• Sexual Sins
• Satanic Sins
• Shameless Sins
• Selfish Sins

3. How can we win the Fight? (Gal 5:22-24) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

The words “have crucified” are σταυρόω (stow-ro’-o). It can mean to fence with stakes, or to fix to the cross. Lastly it can mean to mortify. In other words, this is a divine act but must be activated by faith thru the Holy Spirit. Obviously, there is more to it than space will allow at this point.

Conclusion: The Big Fight is on! However, as we have explored, the Lord Jesus has already made provisions for His children to overcome the flesh and “walk” in the Spirit (Gal 5:25).

See this word “walk στοιχέω (stoy-kheh’-o). It means to be in rows, or to walk by rule.

Keep walking brother, keep walking sister, until we see Jesus!