One or the other. When it comes to following the desires of the flesh or the Spirit, we cannot do both, just one or the other. Read Galatians 5:16-17. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galatians 5:16‭-‬17 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.16-17.NASB If we are walking in the Sporit, we won’t be following the desites of the flesh. If we are walking in the flesh, we will…

Happy Thanksgiving! For those of us in the United States, today is the day that we celebrate and give thanks for all the things that God has done for us. Read Galatians 5:13-15. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ” you shall love your neighbor as yourself .” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13‭-‬15 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.13-15.NASB Many of us often are thankful for the freedoms…

Confidence that you will find your way. Paul had confidence that even though people were trying to distract them, they would find the truth. Read Galatians 5:10-12. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. Galatians 5:10‭-‬12 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.10-12.NASB Paul knew that the people knew the truth. As a result, he had confidence that…

Distracted. The people of Galatia have become distracted from the truth the have been taught by Paul. Read Galatians 5:7-9. You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. Galatians 5:7‭-‬9 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.7-9.NASB It doesn’t take much, and yet just a tiny distraction can take the entire focus of someone so that they shift their focus enough that they are no longer being effective. This was the case for the Galatians. They were so distracted the thought of circumcision and the law, that they were no longer being an…

We have hope. Because we are children of faith, we have hope. Read Galatians 5:2-6. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:2‭-‬6 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.2-6.NASB Because we are…

People who have been free do not return again to their chains. Read Galatians 5:1. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.1.NASB Through Christ we are free, so why would we try to go back to being in slavery if we have been freed? What would be the purpose? Are we experiencing the freedom of living in Christ? Knowing we are free, do we live like it, or go back to living in slavery?

We are free in Christ. Paul continues making his case of the difference between the law and Christ. Regalations 4:28-31. And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? ” cast out the bondwoman and her son , for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman .” So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman. Galatians 4:28‭-‬31 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.4.28-31.NASB If…

God’s promises defy the natural. They are not contained by our understanding. Read Galatians 4:22-27. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking, for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, ” Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear ; Break forth and…

Two sons, the slave and the free. The law and the promise. Read Galatians 4:21-23. Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise. Galatians 4:21‭-‬23 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.4.21-23.NASB The Bible often works with 2s. There is a first reference to the law and the flesh. And then there will be a reference to the spirit and the promise. Here we see that…

Dealing with people is work. Anytime you are involved in working with someone, another person, you quickly understand that people and their lives and their problems are messy. Read Galatians 4:17-20. They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you- but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. Galatians 4:17‭-‬20…