16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit,you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:16-26
Q & A：
- Have you been stumbled by the carnality of some older Christians, who behave just like the people in this world and wondered why religion cannot change a person from the outside in with a set of law? Knowing that we are a product of our thought life, discuss what may have been developed into a stronghold in your mind (part of the Soul) that held you captive in fear, doubt, worries, unbelief or insecurity. (Heb 4:12; 2 Cor 10:4-6)
- Knowing that God will not overcome our will (part of the Soul) as we are made to be free moral agents to make our decisions, do you tend to make decisions based on your emotions or mood and why is it not dependable? Explain what the flesh means and how our soul can be renewed as the lust of the flesh and gratification of our desires used to govern our soul. (Gal 5:17)
- Have you been conforming to this world subconsciously with the worldly values and principles that are bombarding your mind daily via the different platforms? With the clarification of the tripartite being (spirit, soul, body), discuss how you can walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh to do the right things from the inside out? (Rom 12:2; Eph 2:2-3)