COMMENTARY ON GALATIANS
LESSON NUMBER 52
Gal 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Gal 5:16-18)
THE SECRET TO OVERCOMING SIN
INTRODUCTION
Carnal men insist that sin can be overcome by mere human effort, regimentation, and following a prescribed set of rules. Their approach requires accountability to their peers, relying on the ability of the flesh, and placing inordinate value on Law. This is the kind of environment the Judaizers promoted and maintained. That is why they assigned such a high value to circumcision. It was a sign in the flesh, and they placed great confidence in the flesh and mere appearance. One of the marks of trusting in the flesh is the need to falsify, misrepresent, and generally tone down the seriousness of sin and transgression. This is not a proper approach, for it is the one employed by Adam and Eve in the Garden, and it was totally ignored by God. So far as the record is concerned, they did not acknowledge their sin when the Lord confronted them. God did not ask them WHY they ate of the tree, but IF they did (Gen 3:11). We assume from their upbringing of Cain and Abel, that they passed along the necessity of sacrifice and the general acknowledgment of sin. Thus Paul approaches the matter of sin from a wholly different perspective than those who insist on living by Law. It is a manner that flesh cannot comprehend, but that is no consequence to him. This instruction is not intended for the flesh, the natural man, or the old man. Further, it is the responsibility of the hearer to "learn what that means" (Matt 9:13). The apostle will teach us, exhort us, and comfort us - but he will not think for us. So far as the flesh is concerned, this teaching will be lacking in specificity. But for the one who believes, and so far as "the new man" is concerned, the teaching will be plain enough to be followed. And, make no mistake about this, what is said in this passage is intended to be done. It is not the statement of an inconsequential theory. Although it is the tendency of many religious men to simply speculate about such things, this is really not the manner of the Kingdom. Men must not resign themselves to sinning, making the claim that no one can be perfect. That may prove comforting for the carnal, but it is frustrating and debilitating for those who hate sin, and are determined to remain on the narrow way that leads to life (Matt 7:13).
WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Gal 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
THIS I SAY THEN. Other versions read, "But I say," NASB "So I say," NIV "What I am saying is this," CJB "Let me explain further," GWN "Instead, I tell you," NJB "I advise you to," LIVING "I mean this," WILLIAMS and "This is my meaning." MONTGOMERY
This is a kind of summation of everything he has said thus far in the fifth chapter. Several foundational statements have been made. (1) Walk in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, (2) Stand fast in the liberty, (3) Do not be again entangled with the yoke of bondage, (4) We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness, (5) What counts is faith that works by the comprehension of God's love, (6) A little leaven leavens the whole lump, (7) The troublers will bear their own judgment, (8) Ye have been called to liberty, (9) By love serve one another, (10) Continuing to bite and devour one another will result in being "consumed of one another," with all signs of spiritual life disappearing. What single thing can a people who have been plagued with such things be told? Where can their time best be spent? What will bring the greatest yield?
WALK IN THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "walk by the Spirit," NASB "live by the Spirit," NIV "Go on in he Spirit," BBE "run your lives by the Spirit," CJB "Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you," GWN "be guided by the Spirit," NJB "obey only the Holy Spirit's instructions," LIVING "Live by following the Spirit," IE and "walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]." AMPLIFIED
This text is speaking of the manner in which our lives are shaped. For the believer, there are two driving influences: one has to do with the inner man, and the other with the outer man. One has to do with life in this world, and the other with life in the heavenly places. One has to do with earthly concerns, and the other with matters of heaven.
The Holy Spirit is changing us from glory to glory to the degree that we are beholding the glory of the Lord with an unveiled face, or without distraction. Walking in the Spirit is maintaining the stance of beholding the glory of the Lord - being more and more impressed with His Person and work. That puts us squarely in the arena in which the Spirit works an increasing transformation.
For those who live unto the Lord, there is a spiritual sensitivity that is honed to a fine edge. Where decisions are to be made, there will be strong inclinations to stay where the Spirit works. You cannot explain these impulses to the carnal mind. Where, for example, believers are encouraged to become more and more involved in activities that are related more to this world, sensitivity of the Holy Spirit is diminished by the desire for "other things entering in" (Mk 4:19).
The leading of the Spirit is associated with putting "the deeds of the body" to death (Rom 8:13-14). Rather than allowing our bodies to dictate the manner and extent of our life, we keep under them, bringing them into subjection (1 Cor 9:27). This is the type of thing that cannot be systematized. Responses are governed by spiritual sensitivity, not religious routine. There is a legitimate experience described in this manner: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa 30:21). The more a person remains in the light, exposing himself to the Word of God, and high and noble thoughts (Phil 4:8), the more clearly the speaking "behind" him is heard. When we yield to that voice, we are said to be walking in the Spirit, or according to the Spirit.
YE SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH. The effectiveness of walking in the Spirit is seen in the guaranteed results: "You will not carry out the desires of the flesh." NASB The lusts of the flesh are the influences that knit you to as cursed world. That, in turn, produces driving and compelling urges that cannot be subdued by means of Law. The Law does not offer an incentive sufficient to subdue the flesh. That is, it lacks "any value in restraining sensual indulgence" NIV (Col 2:23). The reason for this circumstance is plain. A fleshly, or purely legalistic religion, cannot offer anything satisfying enough to offset the desires of the flesh.
There is a certain satisfaction that comes from walking in the Spirit that makes yielding to the desires of the flesh appear foolish. In the light of the Lord the insufficiency of the flesh is seen, and the wickedness of sinful indulgence is glaringly apparent. It is the stark contrast of light and darkness, good and evil, and righteous and unrighteousness that makes this apparent.
If our lives are shaped by godly impulses, and not by bodily concerns, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. That is the unequivocal meaning of this text.
This also brings us to some hard conclusions. Those who yields to the desires of the flesh indulging themselves in earthly appetites confirm they have not set their affection on things above. They have not been walking in the Spirit, beholding the glory of the Lord (2 Cor 3:17), or letting the Word of Christ dwell in them richly (Col 3:16). They have not been running the race set before them while looking unto Jesus (Heb 12:1-2). They have allowed their lives to be pointed toward the earth, and been governed by earthly appetites. They wee this overcome.
THE WARFARE WITHIN
5:17 "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
We have before us a text, the understanding of which, is essential to an overcoming life. If we are not able to identify the source of conflicting desires, we will be thrown into confusion about our standing in Christ Jesus,
THE FLESH LUSTETH AGAINST THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit," NASB "the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit," NIV and "the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit." AMPLIFIED
What is "flesh?" It behooves us to have an intelligent grasp of the meaning of this word as it is used in this text. Ponder what is said of "the flesh." "The flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41)."The flesh profiteth nothing" (John 6:63). No good thing dwells in the "flesh" (Rom 7:18). The flesh serves "the law of sin" (Rom 7:25). The Law was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). They that are "in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom 8:8). If we "live after the flesh,"we "shall die" (Rom 8:13). We do not "war after the flesh" (2 Cor 10:3). The person who "soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption" (Gal 6:8). Those in Christ "have no confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3). "Fleshly lusts . . . war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11). The "lust of the flesh" is "not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16). I hardly see how such warnings could be marked by greater clarity.
The flesh is everything traceable to Adam. It involves desires that associate us with this present evil world, and tend to cause us to feel at home in it. There is too much being said these days about nothing being wrong about this or that if it is controlled. I am not sure this is an accurate appraisal of the situation. How can anything be "all right" that anchors us to this world, makes it impossible to please God, or is inherently weak? There is a part of our persons that is suited for this world, and craves the things of this world. The wrongness of these cravings is that they compete "against the Spirit."
Any earthly desire that is not under the supervision of the person, who keeps under his body (1 Cor 9:27), has the ability of severing them from God. This is precisely why whatever is done is to be done "to the glory of God" (1 Cor 10:31).
THE SPIRIT LUSTETH AGAINST THE FLESH. Other versions read, "and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature," NIV and "and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature)." AMPLIFIED
The "Spirit" is the Holy Spirit, who has been united with our spirit - sent into our hearts (Gal 4:6). The Holy Spirit is a Person, and is not willing to simply be a part of one's life, sharing priorities with the flesh. Referring to this trait of the Spirit, James writes, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" (James 4:5). Other versions read, "God yearns jealously for the spirit He has made to dwell in us" NRSV and "The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?" AMPLIFIED Two different meanings are set forth by the various versions. One is that God Himself is yearning for the human spirit. The other is that the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us, is jealous for our perfect and consistent affection and attention. The latter is the true representation, and blends perfectly with our text.
The Holy Spirit is caused to be jealous when professed believers defer to matters pertaining to this world - when they give more time to the temporal than the eternal, and when they culture fleshly associations to spiritual ones.
THESE ARE CONTRARY. Other versions read, "these are in opposition to one another," NASB "these are in conflict with each other," and "or these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other]." AMPLIFIED
The competing desires of the flesh and the Spirit are hostile against each other - antagonistic and combative. Because we cannot serve two masters, there is no possible way to reconcile these contending desires. We can yield to only one of them, not to both.
YE CANNOT DO THE THINGS THAT YE WOULD. Other versions read, "so that you may not do the things you please," NASB "so that you do not what you want," NIV and "so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do." AMPLIFIED
The person who has been liberated by Jesus longs to serve Him fully, without mitigation or interruption. However, he finds this cannot be done because of the intrusion of competing desires. They have to be thrown down, and that requires an investment of time and effort the saved prefer to devote to other matters, Further, this is true of both the flesh and the spirt - the "old man" and the "new man." Neither of them can be as wholehearted as they desire, and neither of them is willing to concede to the other. In the case of the Galatians, they had given way to the "old man," or "the flesh," seeking to sanctify it with a religious garb. In that attempt they had lost something of inestimable value. Now, Paul is attempting to lead them back to spiritual profitability.
IF YE BE LED OF THE SPIRIT, YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW
5:18 "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."
Here is a most joyous announcement! Under the Law, there was no allowance for lust at all - even if it was unwanted. It uncompromisingly announced, "Thou shalt not covet" (Ex 20:17; Rom 7:7). It provided no spiritual weaponry to case down such thoughts. There was no grace in the Law that taught men how to say "No!" to worldly lusts. The Law condemned worldly desires, because its ministry was to convince of sin, not to liberate men from it. It discovered the depth of sin, showing it had corrupted the human will - and yet, it offered no provision to change that will. That was not within the intended scope of Law.
IF YE BE LED OF THE SPIRIT. Other versions read, "guided by the Spirit," BBE "directed by the Spirit," NJB "guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit," AMPLIFIED and "obey the Spirit." CEV As used here, the word "led" means, "to lead by laying hold of, and in this way to bring to the point of destination . . . to lead by accompanying to (into) any place" THAYER
How is a person "led of the Spirit?" Some might say, "by the Scriptures" - and there certainly is an element of truth to that. Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit would "guide" them "Into all truth" (John 16:13). But how is this leading or guidance accomplished? It certainly is not by means of Law, for the leading itself removes us from "under the Law."
The answer to the question is found in our text. The Spirit is depicted as lusting against the flesh - or producing desires that are against the flesh. It is actually through sanctified desires that we experience the leading of the Spirit. David once confessed, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psa 27:4). That single desire, although limited by both revelation and experience, compelled David to walk in the ways of the Lord. It is written of David, " David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that He commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite" (1 Kgs 15:5). His desire was in the right direction.
Jesus' words concerning seeking, have much to do with desire: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33). They blend perfectly with the admonition of Paul: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col 3:1-2). They form an excellent bond with the words concerning our thinking: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil 4:8).
When you are inclined to ponder such sobering realities, you are being led by the Spirit - guided by Him into areas in which He will give you understanding (1 John 2:20,27). These desires will be provoked by Scripture (2 Tim 3:15), the godly provocation of your brothers and sisters in Christ (Heb 10:24), and the proper assessment of human experience, like that of Job). The consideration of the things that have been "written for our learning" (Rom 15:4), and the things that "happened" to the Israelites (1 Cor 10:11), will prove to be effective means through which the Spirit will lead us. The promises of God will also be used by the Spirit to lead us to participate more and more in the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:4).
Just as the devil tempts us to desire the things of the flesh, so the Holy Spirit leads us to desire the things of the Lord. When those desires are sensed, they are not to be "quenched," for in so doing we "grieve" the Spirit, thereby "limiting" the Holy One (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19; Psa 78:41). It is staggering to consider how many people are guilty of refusing to be led by the Spirit.
YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW. The Law was given "that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God" (Rom 3:19). This will always be the experience of those who are "under the Law." Further, "guilty" does not refer to especially heinous sins. It rather covers everything that ties us to a condemned world - a world that is destined to "pass away," together with the lusts associated with it (1 John 2:17).
If men do not follow the inclination produced by the Spirit, they revert to being "under the Law." Romans 6:14-15 reminds us that we are "not under the Law, but under grace." Romans 10:4 proclaims that Christ is "the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believeth." The Romans six texts have to do with our beginning in Christ Jesus, with the latter, The Romans ten text declares the foundation for that situation.
However, the condition of remaining in a state where we are "not under the Law" must be maintained. Grace is the practical means by which this is accomplished, and the leading of the Holy Spirit is the personal means. Wherever there is, in any sense, a reversion to the Law as a means of gaining Divine acceptance, or as achieving the advantage over sin, the individual is immediately thrust under the Law again. It is a hopeless condition from which one must be delivered.