I have never been able to get into boxing. I just don’t see the appeal of watching two grown men slap each other in the face with red glove-pillows until one of them passes out. It’s weird and a little unsettling. Even though I don’t like it, I have learned a little about it to hold casual conversations with my friends. Through rushed research, I uncovered something interesting about the so-called sport. One key principle of professional boxing is the division of athletes by “weight classes.” This is why “weigh in” is a multi-million-dollar televised event in the UFC. Your weight class will shape your entire season. After the fighters step off the scale, they divide them into categories of strength and weight. This guarantees that you and your opponent are always equally matched in size. They would never pair a 250-pound muscle-mountain with a 120-pound rookie. They use weight classes to ensure the fights are as fair as possible.
While most of you would never think of walking into the boxing ring, there is still a fight you face every day. In Galatians, Paul paints a picture of a fist fight happening within you. Who are the two contenders? They are “the flesh” vs “the spirit” (5:16). This may conjure thoughts of cartoons with a little devil and angel that fight on your shoulders. However, it goes so much further than that. The Greek word for flesh is “sarx.” It doesn’t literally mean your skin. It represents a human’s sin-nature that opposes the ways of God by default. The flesh represents your natural propensity towards selfishness and sinfulness. The flesh produces things like gossip, lust, addiction, jealousy, and hatred (5:13).
On the flip side, the spirit is the Spirit of God working within you. The Spirit produces what Paul calls “fruit.” This spiritual fruit basket consists of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. While this concept can seem confusing and theological, the product is practical. You’ve seen it all around you. The works of the flesh lead to pain, and the fruit of the spirit leads to fulfillment. I am sure you have seen the devastating damage that can be done by “living in the flesh.” You’ve seen friendships destroyed by gossip. You’ve witnessed families ripped apart by lust. You’ve heard of people consumed by jealousy. You’ve watched lives get wrecked by addiction.
I once heard a modern parable about this passage. It explained that a Native American Christian was instructing a small group of kids. In his lecture, he told a tale of two wolves fighting within him. It felt like there was a light wolf and dark wolf trying to tear each other to shreds inside his chest. While teaching, a young boy interrupted and asked, “Which wolf wins?” The teacher calmly responded, “The one I feed more.”
It’s possible to win this fight and experience all the good God has for you. How do you win? Just like two fighters, the one who trains the most tends to win. If you feed your flesh, it will grow stronger. As you continue to sin, it will become a cycle that eventually makes you numb to your actions and consequences. Focus on feeding the Spirit instead. Read Scripture. Pray. Constantly meditate on the teachings of Jesus. The fruit will flourish within you. You will become more loving, joyful, patient, and kind. The Spirit leads to a full life; whereas, the flesh leads to a life full of yourself.
The flesh leads to an empty and painful life. The Spirit leads to an eternal and purpose-filled life. Feed the Spirit, and you will flourish.