Grace Brings Freedom, Not License

The gospel of Jesus Christ is radically freeing. As Paul says in Romans 8:1,

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

We are not saved by what we do, but by whom we trust. In Galatians 3, Paul makes it clear: no one is justified by the law, but by faith. Through Christ, we’ve not only been made children of God but also heirs. It’s a beautiful truth that leads to a logical—but dangerous—question: If we are saved by grace, can we live however we want?

Freedom Isn’t for Self-Indulgence

Paul answers this in Galatians 5:13:

“You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.”

We’re not called to gratify our sinful nature but to love, to walk by the Spirit. This brings us to Galatians 5:16–17, where Paul presents the inner conflict between flesh and Spirit.

The Battle Within: The Two Wolves

There’s a well-known story of a boy who tells his grandfather about a fight between two wolves inside him—one good, one evil. He asks, “Which one wins?” The grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”

That’s exactly Paul’s message. As believers, we carry both the desires of the flesh and the Spirit. But the one we “feed” is the one that dominates. The Spirit draws us to Christ; the flesh pulls us away.

Desires Aren’t Evil—But Watch Their Power

Desires in themselves are not bad. God created the world for us to enjoy—success, love, and prosperity can all be good things. But problems arise when desires become obsessions—what the Bible calls “over-desires.”

Money, for instance, isn’t evil. But the love of money is. The flesh wants to place desire above Christ, while the Spirit brings every desire under submission to Christ.

Egypt vs. Canaan: Letting Go of the Familiar

Like the Israelites longing for Egypt’s comforts even while walking toward the Promised Land, we often cling to what’s familiar—even if it’s harmful. Living by the Spirit means learning to let go of what seems “normal” or “comfortable” and trusting God’s better way.

It may feel natural to retaliate, to avoid reconciliation, or to stand your ground in pride. But the Spirit calls us to love, peace, humility, and forgiveness. These aren’t weak paths—they’re the stronger ones.

Law vs. Spirit: What Guides You?

Paul says in Galatians 5:18,

“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

This doesn’t mean we live lawlessly—it means we no longer worry about checking boxes. When we follow the Spirit, we naturally walk in God’s will. Those under the law worry, “How much can I get away with?” But those walking in the Spirit ask, “Does this glorify Jesus?”

Works vs. Fruit

Paul lists the “works of the flesh” in verses 19–21—some obvious like drunkenness and sexual immorality, others hidden like jealousy, envy, and divisions. Both outward actions and inward attitudes matter.

In contrast, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit (v.22–23)—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more. Notice: Paul says “fruit,” not “fruits.” These qualities grow together as one unit, the result of being rooted in the Spirit.

And unlike gifts (like preaching or leading), fruit is the true measure of spiritual maturity. Gifts can impress; fruit reveals who we really are.

Abide, Don’t Strive

We cannot produce this fruit on our own. We are simply branches; Jesus is the vine (John 15). Our job is to abide. That means spending intentional time with God—through Scripture, prayer, worship, and godly conversations.

Time transforms. The more time we spend with God, the more our thoughts, attitudes, and priorities shift. Slowly but surely, we walk more by the Spirit and less by the flesh.

Crucified Flesh, Risen Spirit

Paul reminds us in Galatians 5:24,

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Our sinful desires were nailed to the cross with Christ. But the enemy lies, whispering that these things still belong to us. We often carry what was already killed.

Romans 6 echoes the truth:

“You must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (v.11).

Final Encouragement: Walk Daily

Paul ends with this charge in Galatians 5:25:

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Walking by the Spirit isn’t a mystical process—it’s a daily one. It’s not for the spiritually elite—it’s for everyday believers like you and me.

So let’s keep feeding the Spirit, starving the flesh, and growing in the fruit that reflects Christ. The cross has already done the work—now we simply walk in it.