You Can’t Have it Both Ways!

5 Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery. 2-6 Listen! I, Paul, say this to you as solemnly as I can: if you consent to be circumcised then Christ will be of no use to you at all. I will say it again: every man who consents to be circumcised is bound to obey all the rest of the Law! If you try to be justified by the Law you automatically cut yourself off from the power of Christ, you put yourself outside the range of his grace. For it is by faith that we await in his Spirit the righteousness we hope to see. In Jesus Christ there is no validity in either circumcision or uncircumcision; it is a matter of faith, faith which expresses itself in love.

Thank You God, My Salvation is by Faith Alone, in Christ Alone

16 I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, Galatians 5:16-26 HCSB

20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:16-26 HCSB

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:16-26 HCSB

The Spirit versus the Flesh * The minute we put our faith in Christ, we enter a great conflict between our old nature and the Spirit living inside us (Galatians 5:17)

The Spirit versus the Flesh * The fruit of our lives show whether we are walking by the Spirit or carrying out the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:19-23)

The Spirit versus the Flesh * When we walk by the Spirit, we put to death the deeds of the flesh and walk in victory that has been won for us (Galatians 5:16, 24)

The Spirit versus the Flesh * Walking in the Spirit means meeting our circumstances with the truth of God’s Word, believing it, and then acting on that truth (Galatians 3:2-5)

The Spirit versus the Flesh Pray for God’s help Trust in a promise of God suited for your need Act on the promise