This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill 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.
Introduction
Exposition
CONSTANT CONFLICT (v. 17) – “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.”
- The flesh lusts against the Spirit – meaning is even stronger, gives the sense of a warfare
- The Spirit against the flesh
- These are contrary the one to the other
- Ye cannot do the things that ye would
- This works both ways
- The Spirit prevents the flesh from doing what it wants
- The flesh prevents the Spirit from doing what it wants
- Romans 7 expands these truths
CONCLUDING COMMAND (v. 16) – “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”
- This I say then
- A concluding thought
- A summary position
- It all boils down to this
- Walk in the Spirit
- Physical walking is unconscious, like breathing
- Spiritual walking should become similar, but it is much more difficult because of the constant conflict
- Walking is not “hyperspace” – asteroids illustration
- Walking is just one step at a time
- Where to take next step?
- A light unto my path
- Ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh
COMFORTING COUNSEL (v. 18) – “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
- If ye be led of the Spirit
- Pictures a blind person
- Not a dead person
- Has ability, but clouded by flesh
- Led by law – blind leading blind
- Led by Spirit, not under the law
- Ye are not under the law
You Think Too Much! 