Overcomer - No Lust!

Galatians 5:13-25

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Here toward the end of Paul’s epistle to the Galatian Christians the author turns the focus to the practical.  What difference does it make to follow Jesus?  And among all the various changes Jesus brings into our lives is the ability to exercise self-control even over our sexual impulses.  Strong stuff for people like us.

Reflect

Questions

Read this passage slowly look for the ways that the Spirit helps to overcome the flesh.  

Notice how the subject of fleshly passions comes up after the list of the Fruit of the Spirit.  How are these related?

Prayer

Dear Lord you know the world I live in.  Sexual temptations seem to surround me.  But in you I can find freedom and deliverance . So help me to keep on being crucified with Christ so that I can live by the Spirit. Amen.

Memory Verse

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.  1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 NIV

Share

Gather some family and friends together and read this passage. Then discuss this question:  How do each of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit help us overcome sexual temptation?  Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday Pastor Glenn Teal will teach on the topic “Self-control overcomes Gluttony.”  This is a great Sunday to invite a friend.  Pray for an open opportunity to do just that!