The
flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.
Galatians 5:17
Galatians 5 [15.] But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
Meaning:
In this verse, the apostle Paul vividly describes the ongoing spiritual battle that believers face within themselves. He personifies the flesh and the Spirit as opposing forces engaged in a constant struggle for dominance in the life of the believer.
The term "flesh" refers to the fallen, sinful nature inherited from Adam, characterized by selfish desires, sinful impulses, and rebellion against God (Romans 7:18; Galatians 5:19-21). The flesh seeks to gratify its own desires apart from God's will, leading to sinful attitudes and behaviors that are harmful to oneself and others.
On the other hand, the Spirit represents the indwelling presence of God in the life of the believer, received through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9-11; Galatians 4:6). The Spirit works to transform believers from within, producing fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul emphasizes the inherent conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, highlighting their opposing desires and goals. The flesh seeks to gratify selfish desires and pursue worldly pleasures, while the Spirit prompts believers to live according to God's will and His kingdom values.
This internal conflict results in a tension that can lead to frustration and struggle for believers. The desires of the flesh pull us in one direction, while the promptings of the Spirit lead us in another. As a result, we may find ourselves unable to do the things that we truly desire—the things that align with God's will and bring glory to Him.
In the broader context of Paul's letter to the Galatians, this verse occurs within a discussion of freedom in Christ and the danger of falling back into legalism. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, urging believers to walk by the Spirit and live in freedom from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13).
As we reflect on Galatians 5:17, we are reminded of the ongoing spiritual battle that believers face in their Christian journey. We are called to be vigilant and discerning, recognizing the subtle ways in which the desires of the flesh can lead us astray and hinder our spiritual growth.
Furthermore, this verse offers encouragement and hope for believers as we rely on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit to overcome the desires of the flesh and walk in obedience to God's will (Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:13). Through prayer, Scripture meditation, and dependence on God's grace, we can experience victory over the flesh and live lives that are pleasing to God.
In conclusion, Galatians 5:17 highlights the internal conflict experienced by believers between the desires of the flesh and the promptings of the Spirit. It reminds us of the ongoing spiritual battle that we face and encourages us to walk by the Spirit, relying on His empowering presence to overcome the desires of the flesh and live lives that honor and glorify God.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible