TITLE : A BATTLE WORTH WAGING
TEXT: GALATIANS 5: 16-25
THEME: WAGING THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH
Would you open your bible and turn with me to the fifth chapter of the book of Galatians? Galatians, the fifth chapter, and we will began in the sixteenth verse.
Please rise in reverence for the reading of the Word of God.
Galatians 5: 16-25
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. 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. 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. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we ask you for direction and guidance in your word today.
Help us understand and gain courage from the battles that we face. Give us wisdom
as we examine your Holy and true word today In Jesus name , Amen
Introduction:
We read in the old testament of many battles that were waged. Battles that
involved Abraham rescuing his nephew Lot from a Mesopotamian king. We see
Israel engaged in a great number of battles with the Amalekites ,Amorites, and the
Midianites as they journeyed to Canaan. As Israel began its conquest of the
promised land, many more battles ensued at Jericho ,Ai ,Libnah, Gezer ,Eglon and
numerous others. Battles and conflicts continued to be waged under the judges,
such as Gideons battle with the Midianites and Samsons battle with the Philistines.
The Battles under King David were numerous and courageous, especially the one
that the young David waged against his formidable foe, the giant Goliath. Even in
the new testament era, we discover the conflicts and difficulties faced by the
disciples. Conflicts that often cost them their lives, for example, John the Baptist,
and Stephen. Since the dawn of man, battles and conflicts have continued in this
world which is ravished by sin. We`ve had through out our history battles involving
independence, slavery , equal rights and civil rights. Our most recent wars include
the war on terror and the battles we face against those that support abortion,
homosexuality, same sex marriage and the overall bias liberal agenda. These are
struggles that we must be ready to undertake or otherwise this country will see the
demise of its moral and ethical foundation. Although these conflicts and battles
were and are worth waging, there have been many battles that weren’t worth
waging . Many that were useless, futile, and senseless in their objective and
outcome. However today we are confronted each and every day by the greatest battle we will ever encounter. What
is this great and intensive battle that we encounter each day you may ask. It’s a
battle that each and every one of us face each and every day. A conflict you are not
exempt from. It’s the battle between the Spirit and the flesh, and it my friend is
A Battle Worth Waging.
As we survey these scriptures we can observe four aspects of this daily battle
First of all : (1) The Direction of the Spirit
Secondly : (2) The Dissension of the Spirit
Thirdly : (3) The Distinction of the Spirit
Finally : (4) The Dominion of the Spirit
Let us consider first of all this morning
I. THE DIRECTION OF THE SPIRIT verse 16
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh..
(Galatians 5:16)
It is obvious to the christian who the person behind our justification is . None
other than the Lord Jesus Christ . For the bible clearly declares in Romans 5:1
(Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ) . Notice we are justified (declared Just, free ,righteous), forgiven and
given a free pardon from the eternal penalty of sin. Notice also, this pardon came
"through" our Lord Jesus. Acts 4:12b (for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved). So therefore we are justified by and "through" our Lord Jesus. The life of a christian doesn’t end at justification as many are misled in believing . Being justified is essential in becoming a christian. Likewise the christian life is unfinished without the continual process of sanctification, a life of seperation from sin. Just as our Lord signifies our justification the Holy Spirit signifies our separation, or our sanctification. The effectual, continual working of the Holy spirit enables us to achieve separation from sin, satan, and self.
Since we are unable to save our selves, we likewise cannot sanctify ourselves without the Spirits enabling power. William Hendriksen illustrated this well when he stated, "It takes the tender early leaves of springtime to rid the oak tree of the remnants of last autumn`s withered foliage. It is only the living that can expel the dead . It is only the good that can push out the bad". This pictures our new, spirit indwelt nature and our old sinful flesh.
This is why the christian must follow the direction of the Holy Spirit. So therefore :
1.) We must be Guided by the Spirit
Walk in the Spirit.......
"The best antidote against the poison of sin is to walk in the Spirit".( Matthew Henry).The very word here- "walk"(peripateo-greek) is in the present tense and indicates a continuous, ongoing, and progressive way of life. Being a verb in the imperative mood indicates that this is a command not a choice. You are therefore commanded to walk in the spirit allowing the spirit to guide you. Some will say " its just to difficult to live a holy life, I just can`t do it". My friend the bible tells us that ( you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you ) Romans 8:9.You have been given all things that pertain unto life and godliness. We can not win the battle against the flesh on our own. Many have tried to stop gambling, drinking, cursing, and numerous of other sins but have been unable to do so. We must realize that in order to win the battle over the flesh we must be guided by the spirit.
ILLUSTRATION : Source( Prairie Overcomer)
Before the days of modern navigational aides, a traveler made the crossing of the Atlantic in a boat equipped with two compasses. One was fixed to the deck where the man at the wheel could see it. The other compass was fastened up on one of the masts, and often a sailor would be seen climbing up to inspect it. The passenger asked the captain, "Why do you have two compasses?" " This is an iron vessel", replied the captain, and the compass of the deck is often affected by its surroundings. Such is not the case with the compass at the masthead, which is above the influence. We steer by the compass above. Do we as christians?
That is what it means to be guided by the Spirit.
But In order to be guided by the spirit :
2.) We must be Governed by the Spirit
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.....
When we began to walk daily in the spirit and allow the spirit to pour forth , we will stop fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. That’s not what I say, that’s what the bible says. Now I am not indicating a life of sinless perfection here. Only the Lord Jesus Christ lived a life of sinless perfection.What I am saying is when we are guided by the spirit and governed by the spirit our lives began to bear fruit. Fruit that others can sense and feel, and bearing fruit is the complete opposite of the works of the flesh( as indicated by the scriptures before us). When you are governed by the Spirit and bear fruit God receives the glory. ( N.a.s.b. )
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Then he continues in verse 8
"By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8
ILLUSTRATION: Billy Sunday once told the story of:
A terrible blizzard that was raging over the eastern part of the states making more and more difficult the progress of a train that was slowly facing its way along. Among the passengers was a woman with a child, who was much concerned lest she should not get off at the right station. A gentleman , seeing her anxiety said. " Do not worry, I know the road well, and I will tell you when you come to your station". In due course the train stopped at the station before the one at which the woman was to get off.
" The next station will be yours, ma`am" said the gentleman. Then they went on and in minutes the train stopped again. " Now is your time ma`am get out quickly, he said. The woman took the child and thanking the man, left the train. At the next stop, the brakeman called out the name of the station where the woman had wished to get off. " you have already stopped at this station," called the man to the brakeman.
" No, sir, he replied, " something was wrong with the engine, and we stopped for a few moments to repair it!" " Alas!" cried the passenger." I put that woman off in the storm when the train stopped between stations!" Afterwards, they found her with her child in her arms. Both were frozen to death! It was a terrible and tragic consequence of the wrong direction being given! Still, more terrible are the results of misdirected souls. (Billy Sunday) Encyclopedia of 7,700 illustrations
Application: Are you my dear friend allowing the spirit to guide you and govern you ?
Are you truly following the direction of the Holy Spirit? Did you walk in the spirit today, or did you allow the flesh to dominate? Will you walk in the Spirit tomorrow?
Will you make a decision today to wage this battle daily? Transitional Sentence: Therefore in order to follow in the Direction of the Spirit
We must be Guided by the spirit and Governed by the spirit, and we must recognize this will be a battle. Because secondly I want you to notice with me in verse 17and 18
II. THE DISSENSION OF THE SPIRIT vs. 17-18
Galatians 5:17-18
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. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
This dissension that rages between the Spirit and the flesh has been called by A.T. Robertson " A tug of war". I think plainly stated it is a deadly duel to the death. One will win. The one you allow to control you will win. It`s similar to having two dogs, whichever one you feed, nourish, and have a close relationship with is the one that is going to grow. My friend, which dog are you feeding? ( pause) Are you being beaten in this deadly duel of tug of war with the flesh?
The flesh has the thought of corruption and erosion. Do you feel like that today? That your spiritual walk is eroding? Then let me share with you then:
1). The Nature of Degradation - or erosion
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other.......
These two are the complete opposite of one another. The flesh lusteth...it has as it opponent the spirit. The word lust here infers that the flesh`s "hearts desire," and its "fierce passion" is to do battle with the Spirit ( to win out). Likewise the Spirit desire is to overcome the flesh.The "flesh" refers to the fallen nature that is still within the believer. The body itself is not sinful; appetites are not necessarily sinful, but the tendencies of the old nature are downward. In Romans 6, Paul tells us that the old man has been crucified and that we can overcome the flesh by reckoning ourselves dead to sin and by yielding ourselves to God. (Warren Wiersbe)
The flesh is bent downward and is always subject to destruction and defeat. Our flesh is weak and will always fail us miserably. Jesus stated to the disciples when they went to watch over him while He prayed at Gestheme. " Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak." Mark 14:38
Paul could say For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: Romans 7:18
Paul understood that his life must be controlled and energized by the Spirit. The explanation is found in the fact that each Christian has two natures, a sinful nature received at birth, inherited from fallen Adam, and a new nature received at regeneration when a Christian becomes a participant in the divine nature. Both natures have desires, the one for evil and the other for holiness. Thus they are in conflict with each other, and the result can be that they keep a believer from doing what he otherwise would. In other words the Holy Spirit blocks, when He is allowed to do so, the evil cravings of the flesh. " Partial John Walvoord quote"
Therefore those that are in Christ have the;2). The Nature of Regeneration
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4
We have been given a new and divine nature, one that allows us to overcome the flesh.One that will not permit us to see corruption if we will just walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit ,and be filled with the Spirit. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Thank God for those that have been regenerated and now the Lord is resident and president of their life. Those that have been regenerated are commanded to walk in the presence, power, and preeminence of the Holy Spirit. Do you my friend know of His presence? His power?
His preeminence ? Well you can today. You can be released and forgiven of the sinful works of the flesh. You can know true peace through the Lord. Today you can start a brand-new life created in Christ Jesus. It doesn’t matter were you have been or what you have done. The Lord tells us in Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Thats what faith is my friend
F- Forsaking
A- All
I- I
T- Trust
H- Him
The bible says :
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
Beloved, will you trust in Jesus today? Don’t allow the flesh to win out. It is a battle, I know, but it is a battle worth waging. My friend today, will you not take on the nature of regeneration?
And may we sing with the hymnist:
Naught have I gotten but that what I received;
Grace hath bestowed it since I believed;
Boasting excluding , pride I abase;
I`m only a sinner saved by grace! James Gray ( Only a Sinner 1905 )
Transitional Sentence:
There is a great difference between the Spirit and the flesh and Pauls give us a preview here of the difference. Truly understand that through the scriptures there is :
III. THE DISTINCTION OF THE SPIRIT vs.19-23
Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, 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. This is of course not an exhaustive list, but it points us in the right direction I believe. These sins listed here very likely included those that were prevalent among the Galatians and are still prevalent today.
We see in the world around us every day-
1). The Exploits of the Flesh
They were called works here in our text and often are refereed to as deeds of the flesh. Jesus made clear that man’s basic problem is not with what is outside of him but with what is within him. "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man" (Mark 7:20-23).
Our Lord`s point here, much like Paul`s, is that sin comes from man himself. Its not the old cliche " the devil made me do it". No it`s evil, sinful, fallen, wretched man.
I can hear it now, people saying, "I don’t like that kind of preaching, it`s not encouraging". Well my friends we have two schools of thought out there today, one that’s wrong and one that’s biblical. The humanistic ( wrong) view will tell you man is primarily good. The bible tells us differently and that man is bent toward sin and wickedness. We have been since the days of Adam. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
AMPLIFY -
Paul gives us a list here of these sins
A. Sensual Sins:
adultery- Unfaithfulness in a marriage covenant
fornication- illicit sex between unmarried people
uncleanness- a filthy and dirty heart
lasciviousness- an appetite for lewdness that knows no shame
B. Superstitious Sins :
Idolatry- putting ANYTHING before God
Witchcraft- a word from which we get the word Pharmacy - in Pauls day the magicians would use drugs to illicit evil effects.
C. Social Sins;
Hatred- variance , wrath
emulation- jealousy
strife- selfish ambitions
D. Seditions and Heresies- divisions caused by the list given above
The exploits of the flesh are easily detected and seen. In contrast to this list Paul gives us another one. A list that includes:
2.) The Evidences of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Notice the contrast given with the word " But".( Elaborate here)
An exhaustive study could certainly be done here with the "fruit if the Spirit". However, I just want to express its importance in our context as it applies to the stark contrast to the works of the flesh.
Transitional Sentence: Paul concludes this thought by giving us the reason we are to walk in the spirit. Paul proclaims that we have crucified ( put to death) the flesh. Since we are now dead to the flesh we need to be sensitive to ........
IV. THE DOMINION OF THE SPIRIT v 24-26
Galatians 5:24-26
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Paul continues on here and states that those that are in Christ, that is to say the redeemed have crucified ( put to death, executed the flesh). The Dominion of the spirit literally means that the spirit of God that resides in the believer has all power and total possession. This being the case, we can certainly say if we are in Christ then the Holy Spirit is in us.With the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives we can then have: 1). Power over the flesh
This power comes from the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit only. We need to recognize that we cannot do battle with the flesh on our own, it must be done through the Spirit. My friend it’s not so much that we are to fight the flesh, as we are to surrender to the Spirit. Did you hear that ? You and I cannot wage battle with the flesh on our own. It is only when we are in Christ, and the Spirit in us, and working through us that we gain victory over the flesh.
If we are going to live the victorious christian life we must walk in the spirit, be led by the Spirit, be filled with the Spirit, and be surrendered to the Spirit. Are you surrendered today ? Are you filled today? Are you being led today? Are you walking in the Spirit today having victory and power over the flesh?Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
ILLUSTRATION:
An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara Whirlpool rapids, when he said to his friend: "Come, and I`ll show you the greatest unused power in the world." And taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, "there" he said, " is the greatest unused power in the world!"
"Ah, no my brother, not so!" was the reply. " The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God!"
The Holy Spirit not only has power over the flesh he also has.......
2). Possession over the believer
A.T. Pierson gives the following illustration:
Suppose you had a thousand- acre farm and someone offered to buy it. You agree to sell the land except for one acre right in the center which you want to keep for yourself. Did you know in some areas the law would allow you to have access to that one lone spot? And that you would have the rights to build a road across the surrounding property in order to get to it? So it is with us as Christians if we make less than 100- percent surrender to God. We can be sure that the devil will take advantage of any inroad to reach that uncommitted area of our lives .
We are the blessed possession of the Holy Spirit. As Christians we need to live in victory, because we are indwelt with the VERY Spirit of God! My Prayer is that I will always walk in the Spirit. And that I will realize the power of the spirit has over the flesh and the possession he has over me.
ILLUSTRATION:
oh, that It could be said about you and me, as it was said about D.L. Moody
A committee of ministers were discussing the possibility of having Mr. Moody to serve as the evangelist during a city -wide evangelistic campaign. Finally, one young minister who did not want to invite Moody stood up and said: "Why Moody? Does he have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" There was silence. Then an old, godly minister spoke up: "No, he does not have a monoply on the Holy Spirit : but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly of D.L. Moody.
Oh, that others could say the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on you and I.
Transitional Sentence:
This morning my friend my prayer is that you will know Jesus Christ before you leave.
My prayer is that you will know the Direction of the Spirit, the Dissension of the Spirit, the Distinction of the Spirit, and the Dominion of the Spirit of God in your life.
