It Starts Small

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:16-21

Before we dive into scripture we ma be asking how is this passage related to the theme of Galatians?

At first glance, this passage might appear disconnected from the central theme of the book. However, that is not the case at all! Our faith’s essence lies in a profound truth. We are justified by faith, and not by the law. However, this passage is anything but random! Those who advocated fervently for following the law had their reasons. They argued passionately that life without the law would inevitably spiral into sin. They contended that emphasizing grace would lead people down a treacherous path of sinfulness.

6 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? ² Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Romans 6:1-2

But we see Paul fiercely counter this argument in Romans 6:1-2, declaring, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” Paul isn’t just making a point here; he’s passionately proclaiming a life transformed! He boldly argues that a Spirit-filled person will inevitably be driven to do what is right. A person who clings to the law becomes entangled in the flesh. This entanglement cannot fulfill the glorious desires of the Spirit. In verse 18, Paul powerfully highlights that we have a choice to make. We can either be led by the Spirit or remain under the law—it’s an exclusive call, not a dual path! In this passage, he makes it unmistakably clear. Living under the guidance of the Spirit leads to a far superior and vibrant existence.

In addition, it’s exhilarating to see how Galatians follows Paul’s profound outline of his letters! The first part of this remarkable letter dives deep into the powerful doctrines, while the second part passionately inspires application. You might wonder how Paul could connect the life-transforming doctrines of justification by faith from the first part. How do these doctrines relate to our daily lives? The exhilarating answer is to be filled with the Spirit. Allow the divine presence to guide us toward a better and more vibrant life. This results in a fruit-bearing, God-centered life!

Spirit or flesh

These are mutually exclusive choices that demand our attention! We need to choose wisely. Let us become profoundly filled with the Spirit. We achieve this by passionately immersing ourselves in the divine. We do this through the Bible, fervent prayer, and vibrant fellowship!

so that you don’t do what you want.

Our flesh revels in the intoxicating allure of sin! This verse boldly reveals that sin can be a source of sheer pleasure. It feeds our desires as we unleash our frustrations through complaints about challenging situations. The thrill of shouting in anger at someone who has wronged us fills our hearts with satisfaction. In the heat of the moment, sexual sins can feel exhilarating. There’s nothing quite like the lazy bliss of sleeping in instead of tackling our responsibilities. These indulgences may offer a fleeting joy. However, they ultimately lead to haunting guilt. They bring dire consequences from a fractured relationship with God.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

We do not adhere to a list of rules just to earn our salvation. We understand that rituals and a mere checklist of do’s and don’ts can never save our souls. Our Christian journey is not about rigidly following a rule book. It is a vibrant, life-changing experience centered on the incredible reality of God’s Spirit saturating our hearts. When God’s Spirit invades and reigns in our lives, a radical transformation unfolds from within, radiating outwardly. Our motivation transcends the need to merit God’s favor or construct a bridge to Him. Instead, it bursts forth as a genuine, heartfelt response of love for all that God has done in our lives. We will be driven to love others deeply, to embody patience, and to extend kindness. These desires will flow naturally from us. They are fueled by the profound change God has wrought within us. God alters our perspectives and reshapes our very thought processes.

Immorality

– The Greek term for immorality, porneia, is the very root from which our modern word “pornography” emerges. Sexual temptation has always lurked in the shadows. Today, in our vibrant and unrelenting world, it has burst forth like never before! This tantalizing subject is now splashed across our screens and lives with brazen audacity. It is far more open and public than in centuries past. What was once cloaked in shame is now embraced and glorified. The world exuberantly champions the idea of free love. Many fervently believe that we are entitled to pursue our desires. This is permissible as long as both parties consent and no one gets hurt.

This is a treacherous deception birthed by Satan! It echoes the deceit he whispered to Eve in the Garden of Eden. He suggested that God longs to keep her from experiencing the goodness He intends for her. Engaging in sin in these realms is profoundly damaging, permeating every aspect of our lives. God’s beautiful design embraces sex within the sacred bond of a one-man, one-woman marriage. This design is undeniably good, pure, and holy. Any other expression of sexuality is a fruit of the flesh that grieves our Creator.

The deeds of the flesh

Many are mentioned here:

• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Sensuality
• Idolatry
• Sorcery
• Enmity
• Strife
• Jealousy
• Fits of anger
• Rivalries
• Dissensions
• Divisions
• Envy
• Drunkenness
• Orgies
• Things like these

Paul says that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

⁹ Everyone who has been born of God does not sin, because his seed remains in him; he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.

1 John 3:9

If you belong to God, He has dramatically liberated you. He freed you from the grip of those sins that once held you captive. The chains have shattered! This doesn’t mean you won’t face struggles or that you’ll never falter, but your perspective will transform entirely. You will rise up with a fierce disdain for sin. If you belong to Christ, prepare yourself to bask in an ever-increasing triumph over darkness!

³ For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

1 Peter 4:3

If you are in Christ, the time has passed to gain enjoyment from the above. You are a new creation.

¹³ No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Depend on God’s strength and take the way of escape and fleeing from sin.

Look at the above list and confront the work of the flesh that continues to ensnare you. Begin by laying it bare before God; confess it with a fervent heart. Then, craft a determined, resolute plan that will arm you against that sin the next time temptation strikes. A wise soul once declared that insanity is doing the same actions repeatedly. It is expecting different outcomes.

If you find yourself failing time and time again, it’s clear that your old tactics are ineffective. You must forge a new battle plan! Take, for instance, the vice of porn addiction. Simply reciting, “I won’t do it,” as if it were a magical incantation, will lead you astray. Inevitably, you’ll find yourself alone with a computer, and the monstrous grip of temptation will rear its ugly head. Without a well-thought-out battle strategy—without having prepared yourself in advance—you will falter, and your resolve will crumble.

---

Cross Reference:

• Romans 6:1-2
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• 1 John 3:9
• 1 Peter 4:3
• Romans 7:5
• Romans 8:23
• 1 Corinthians 15:56
• 1 Corinthians 6:9
• Revelation 22:15

Questions to Ponder:

• It seems that this passage is a large departure from Paul’s overarching theme of the book. What is the main theme of this passage? Is it related? If so, how?
• Why does Paul use the word “walk”?
• How can one walk by the Spirit?
• Who has the struggle which Paul describes in verse 17?
• If we are led by the Spirit, then do we follow the law? Why or why not?
• Why do you think Paul lists out deeds of the flesh? What is “the flesh”?
• Is this an exhaustive list?
• What is Paul’s purpose in telling them of these things?
• If you look at this list and notice that you often fall into one or more of these sins, what should you do?
• What will happen to the people who do these things?
• How can we be more Spirit-filled and therefore have the self-control we need to avoid these sins?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.