Fighting by Grace - Galatians 5:16-25

The Battle ‘The desires of the flesh are not altogether extinct in us. It rises up again and again and wrestles with the Spirit.’ Martin Luther

The Deadly Flesh

• Desires of the heart
• Actions of the flesh (i) A picture of our hearts (ii) Effects all areas of life (iii) Deadly serious

The Beautiful Spirit

• Led by the Spirit
• Fruit of the Spirit A picture of Christ-like character Fruitfulness in all of life Growth over time

Winning the Battle Belong to Christ ‘God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father.’

Crucify the flesh ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’ 2v20 ‘Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.’ 5v24

‘We are to see that the execution takes place. We are actually to take the flesh, our wilful and wayward self, and nail it to the cross.’ John Stott Keep in step with the Spirit