Walk by the Spirit

In the previous passage we looked at how Paul called the Galatians to freedom. They were called to manifest their freedom in Christ through loving service to others (vv. 13-15). In Galatians 5:16-25 Paul builds on this idea to explain how such freedom and progress can only come through the power of the Spirit. The Galatians were drifting into a works-based, flesh-driven faith, but Paul calls them to a life of liberty in Christ and Spirit-filled fruitfulness.

The passage basically divides into three main parts. First, in verses 16-18 Paul describes the need to walk by the Spirit. Second, in verses 19-23 he highlights the evidences of a life lived in the flesh versus a life lived in the Spirit. Third, in verse 24 Paul says that those who truly "belong to Christ" have put to death the desires of the flesh, giving them power to deal with the remaining effects of the flesh. A question is, What should we do with verses 25-26? Do these verses belong in this passage or in the following passage, which speaks of responsibilities within the household of faith (see Schreiner's discussion, Galatians, 353)? Regardless of the placement, one can see how Galatians 5 and 6 are closely tied together. A Spirit-led life will lead to fruitfulness and 108will manifest itself in practical acts of love and service, not in the fleshly acts of being "conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (v. 26). I have chosen to place these final two verses with verse 24, but my exposition of 6:1-10 will allude to 5:25-26 as well.

This passage is very important in light of a Christian's desire to spiritually grow. How do we bear the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in this text? How can we grow as God's adopted children? Let us take these three main divisions and make three points of application: (1) walk by the Spirit, (2) observe the obvious, and (3) remember the good news.

Walk by the Spirit

Walk by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18

Clearly the focus of this passage is on the need to live constantly by the power of the Spirit (vv. 16, 18, 25). Paul is not talking to "super Christians" in this passage. He does not tell only the leaders or the "charismatic types" to live by the Spirit. Are you a parent? Then you need this passage! Are you single? Then you need this passage! Are you a teenager? Then you need this passage! Every believer needs to learn how to walk by the Spirit, so Paul tells all believers to do so. Paul is still aggressive in this new unit, as proven by the "I say" comment. It appears he is still addressing false teachers as he attempts to explain the nature of the Christian life in greater detail. He tells us four important truths about walking by the Spirit.

We Must Continually Walk by the Spirit (5:16a)

To "walk" by the Spirit indicates the need to yield to the Spirit every day: at work, at a ball game, in the home, everywhere. The word for walk, peripateite, in its wider usage in Greek means "to walk around after someone or to walk in a particular direction" (George, Galatians, 386). In the days of Aristotle, his students were known as peripatetics because of their habit of following their teacher around (ibid.). For the Christian, to walk by the Spirit, or to be led by the Sprit, means to follow our Teacher around. We must listen to the Spirit's Word, discern His will, and follow His guidance. This is not a deeper life or higher life; this is the normal Christian life.

We should note the tension here between God's divine power and the believer's human choice (Schreiner, Galatians, 343). Christians must decide to walk by the Spirit continually, and at the same time the Spirit 109is at work to create new appetites and give new power to resist the flesh and to please God.

We Must Walk by the Spirit to Conquer the Flesh (5:16b)

The phrase "and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" is a promise. Those who yield to the Spirit daily have the promise that they will not gratify their fallen human nature. We should see that there is no neutral ground here. We are living in one sphere or the other. Either we are submitting to the Spirit's leadership, or we are gratifying our flesh. If we are submitting to the Spirit, we cannot gratify the flesh. You cannot pray and look at pornography at the same time. The way you deal with your sin is not simply by saying "no" to the flesh, but by also saying "yes" to the Spirit's work.

Conquering the flesh does not merely come from theological knowledge. A professor of theology can be addicted to pornography or fly off the handle in rage just the same as a younger believer with little theological knowledge. Growth does not happen because of your ability. Sadly, I have known several gifted ministers who are no longer in ministry because they were not walking by the Spirit. They gave in to various temptations of the flesh and suffered tragic consequences, wrecking themselves and others. Growth does not happen because you attend seminars or read books, as helpful as they may be. God changes us from the inside out through the Spirit. We must daily yield to Him so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh.

We Must Walk by the Spirit Because the Battle Is Intense (5:17)

Paul alluded to the "present evil age" in 1:4. Building on this, he says that the flesh is against the Spirit and vice versa, and that these two are "opposed" to each other. In verse 16 Paul explains this battle; in verse 17 he stresses the intensity of it. Part of the problem with fighting the flesh is a casual attitude toward sin that the enemy wants us to have. Paul is telling us that the Christian life is a war. Therefore, to conquer the flesh, one must see the seriousness of this battle and resolve to walk by the Spirit.

Do you recognize what kind of war you are in? You face the world's temptations, Satan's temptations, and the flesh's temptations. Do not allow yourself to take a complacent posture in the Christian life. Do not imagine that you are somehow absolved from this fight, or assume that the flesh will not entice you.

110In Romans 7:14-25 Paul illustrates the intensity of the battle. The mighty apostle did not treat this battle lightly. We will fight with the flesh until the coming of Christ. It is an intense, ongoing war.

Some imagine that if you could just live apart from the culture's temptations, then you would not have to deal with sin. Yeah, right! The problem is not simply "out there" (in the world); the problem is "in here" (in the flesh). G. K. Chesterton once responded to a newspaper article that invited people to respond to the question, "What's wrong with the world?" His reply was simple: "I am" (Harvey, When Sinners Say I Do, 52).

The church father Jerome described how removing oneself from the culture does not remove temptation from one's heart:

Oh, how often I imagined that I was in the midst of the pleasures of Rome when I was stationed in the desert, in that solitary wasteland which is so burned up by the heat of the sun that it provides a dreadful habitation for the monks! I, who because of the fear of hell had condemned myself to such a hell and who had nothing but scorpions and wild animals for company, often thought I was dancing with a chorus of girls. My face was pale from fasting, but my mind burned with passionate desires within my freezing body, and the fires of sex seethed. (George, Galatians, 388)

Did you catch that? He was in a desert, but the desires of the flesh still seethed. We cannot escape this battle completely until Christ finally delivers us.

This principle of dealing with our own hearts needs to be learned by everyone; doing so would definitely improve marriages. In When Sinners Say I Do, Dave Harvey writes, "What if you abandoned the idea that the problems and weakness in your marriage are caused by lack of information, dedication, or communication? What if you saw your problems as they truly are: caused by a war within your heart?" (Harvey, Sinners, 29). If a husband or wife walks in the flesh, not the Spirit, then there will be devastating results. Both people must deal with their own hearts if they want to live in harmony. The same is true for other relationships also (cf. Jas 4:1-2).

Why is this battle so intense? Paul says it is because the flesh and the Spirit have competing agendas. The flesh wants to make it so "you don't 111do what you want" (Gal 5:17). Though we want to do good as believers, there are times when we cry out with Paul, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom 7:24-25). The new day has dawned for Christians. They are new creations, but the battle rages on until Christ returns. Still, the believer can have "substantial, significant, and observable victory over the flesh" (Schreiner, 345).

John Newton describes his own personal battle with life as described in Galatians 5:17. He wrote, "I [do not want] to be the sport of prey of wild, fain, foolish, and worse imaginations; but this evil is present with me: my heart is like a highway, like a city without walls or gates" (Harvey, Sinners, 49). Can you identify with him? We must walk by the Spirit because the battle is intense.

We Must Walk by the Spirit to Be Free from the Law (18)

What does Paul mean by saying, "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law" (emphasis added)? It is probably best to translate "if" as "since" (Schreiner, Galatians, 345). Those who are "led" by the Spirit (cf. Rom 8:14; Luke 4:1; Isa 63:11-15) are not "under the law," meaning that they no longer belong to the old era of redemptive history (ibid.). Paul already described in this letter that living under the law leads to being "under a curse" (3:10), "under sin's power" (3:22), "under a guardian" (3:25), "in slavery under the elemental forces of the world" (4:3), and in need of redemption (4:5) (ibid.).

Therefore, the point is that life in the Spirit brings a whole new way of life. This verse does not mean that you have freedom to sin, but a freedom from sin. You have new desires and new power to please God by bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Do not live under the crushing weight of the law, but live by the dynamic power of the Spirit.

Observe the Obvious

Observe the Obvious

Galatians 5:19-23

How does one know if he or she is walking by the Spirit? Paul tells us in verses 19-23. It is not difficult to tell! Paul lists the virtues of the Spirit and the vices of the flesh. Schreiner says, "those things that issue from the flesh are obvious and clear to anyone with an ounce of discernment" (Schreiner, Galatians, 346).

The Works of the Flesh (19-20)

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Paul first catalogues a nasty list of sinful desires and actions that can helpfully be organized into four areas: sex, religion, relationships, and indulgences. With this categorization, we should note that there is some overlap (as with sexual immorality and relational sins). Further, we should realize that this list is not exhaustive. The phrase "and anything similar" makes it clear that these are simply examples.

Catalogues of vices were popular in Paul's day, and we find other examples in Scripture, like in Romans 1:29-31 and 2 Timothy 3:2-5. No two lists are the same in literature or the Bible. All of the works of the flesh arise from a problem with our hearts, as Jesus made clear (Mark 7:20-23). So I do not think it is imperative to go through each sin in great detail, since these are simply examples of the works of the flesh. They are worth considering to be sure, but they are not an exhaustive list.

Sex (v. 19). Interestingly, Paul notes sexual sin first in his other lists (cf. Eph 5:3; 1 Cor 6:9; Col 3:5). So does Jesus in Mark 7:21-22. Here Paul uses the terms "sexual immorality" (porneia), "moral impurity," and "promiscuity." The first term is a general word for all forms of sexual sin. Moral impurity often denotes sexual sin also (cf. Rom 1:24; 2 Cor 12:21; 1 Thess 4:7). Promiscuity is also a common word for sexual sin (cf. Mark 7:22; Rom 13:13; 1 Pet 4:3; 2 Pet 2:2, 7,18). It emphasizes lack of restraint and unbridled passions.

Sexual sin is a major problem for many reasons. Sexual sin with another person (either physically or through other forms of porneia) grieves the Holy Spirit. It affects many others, not just the one sinning. It displays a graphic self-centeredness. It dishonors those made in the image of God. It violates God's pure plan for marriage. It is totally opposite of the fruit of the Spirit, especially love.

Religion (v. 20). While James speaks of such a thing as "pure and undefiled religion" (Jas 1:27), I am using the term religion negatively here. Simply being religious does not imply walking by the Spirit. Various religious expressions exist all over the world. It may look like "idolatry" or it may look like "sorcery," but it is fruitless religion.

The mention of idolatry demonstrates how everyone worships someone or something. The question is, Who or what are people worshiping? Those engaged in idolatry are refusing to worship the true and living God alone. They are living out Romans 1:21-25, worshiping created things instead of Creator God.

113Sorcery involves the practice of trying to manipulate circumstances or dark powers to bring about a desired goal rather than submitting to and trusting in God alone. Today people read horoscopes to find meaning, and many believe superstitious actions will somehow manipulate events. This is the work of the flesh.

Idolatry is not merely a vile practice of those in other religions. Idolatry is a heart issue. People commit idolatry when they look to something other than God to give them what only God can give them. These desires include salvation, peace, security, joy, and provision. Money, mentioned throughout the Bible, is a big idol today (e.g., Matt 6:24; Col 3:5). American money may say, "In God we trust," but in reality many trust in the bills themselves, which is why when the economy tanked, people lost their minds and took their lives.

Relationships (vv. 20-21). Paul notes eight works of the flesh associated with relational sins, which highlights the focus on relationships in Galatians 5:13-6:10. Some of these sins overlap. Allow me to explicate Paul's list:

• Hatreds refers to enmity of any kind. It is at the root of conflict.
• Strife means to have contentious temper. Paul uses this term in other lists (cf. Rom 1:29; 13:13; 2 Cor 12:20; 1 Tim 6:4; 1 Cor 1:11; 3:3; Phil 1:5; Titus 3:9).
• Jealousy sometimes has a positive meaning, but here it is clearly negative. A jealous person wants what someone else possesses. This sin often leads to other sins like bitterness and violence. Those who are jealous demonstrate a lack of gratitude to God for His providence and a lack of love for others.
• Outbursts of anger appears elsewhere in Paul's lists of vices (cf. 2 Cor 12:20; Eph 4:31). It refers to the eruption of the person with an uncontrolled temper. We should not try to excuse this sin by making it a personality trait or a cultural trait. Paul says it is a work of the flesh.
• Selfish ambitions was a term derived from the political arena in Greece to denote "office seeking" (George, Galatians, 395). It appears elsewhere in Paul's writings. One of those occasions includes Paul's description of some preachers who preached with impure motives. They preached "out of rivalry, not sincerely" (Phil 1:17; cf. Rom 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; Jas 3:14, 16). Such attitudes are evidences of living by the flesh, not the Spirit.
• 114Dissentions appears in one other place: Romans 16:17. Paul told the Romans to stay away from people who cause dissention or division. Paul's warning not to "bite and devour one another" reflects this sin (Gal 5:15). The Spirit brings unity, but the flesh brings division.
• Factions is closely related to the previous term and in some instances stands for false teaching (Schreiner, Galatians, 347). Here it emphasizes the "party spirit" that creates division where there should be no division (cf. 1 Cor 11:19).
• Envy is also present in other lists (cf. Rom 1:29; 1 Tim 6:4; Titus 3:3) and is similar to jealousy. The envious person is not happy with God's gifts and cannot stand it when others succeed.

Indulgence (v. 21). In this final group of sins, Paul mentions "drunkenness" and "carousing." Those who cannot control their appetites obviously demonstrate a life dominated by the flesh, not the Spirit. These two sins are mentioned together elsewhere (cf. 1 Pet 4:3; Rom 13:13).

The Warning (v. 21). Paul has led us down into the pit of depravity by highlighting these works of the flesh. He has shown us the ugliness of the flesh. Then he ends with a warning: "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." In other words, if you are living under the rule of the flesh, then you should stand in fear because you will not enter the coming kingdom. Those who come to faith in Christ by grace alone are new people (6:15). While they will still wrestle with sin, the flesh will not dominate them. They have new desires and new power to live. Our good works do not save us, but true salvation leads to fruitfulness and faithfulness.

The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22-23)

The list of vices is contrasted with a list of nine virtues, as noted by the conjunction "But." Schreiner notes that the list has no discernable order apart from "love" appearing first. Others group the list into three parts. Stott says that they portray the Christian's attitude toward God, to other people, and to oneself (Message of Galatians, 148). George says that they are grouped into three triads (love, joy, and peace/patience, kindness, and goodness/faith, gentleness, and self-control) to give a sense of order, although there is no attempt to provide an exhaustive list of virtues (Galatians, 398). The categorizations are helpful for memory and for personal reflection, so I have chosen to use them, even though 115I would not argue that such a classification is intended. I agree with George that this list is probably not exhaustive, since other virtues are mentioned elsewhere (like hope and godliness).

I do think it is significant that love appears first based upon the surrounding context of Galatians. There is a clear focus on love in the passage before and after (5:13-15; 6:1-2). Paul is showing where the power for love comes from: the Spirit. Further, some of the other virtues mentioned in this list are practical expressions of love itself (patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness; cf. 1 Cor 13). While Paul addresses more than love, this particular virtue is clearly highlighted.

Paul says "fruit" not "fruits." This probably points to the fact that all of these collectively make up Christlikeness. As we abide in Christ, all of "the fruits" of the Spirit get produced. That is not to say that each one is as strong in us as the others, but simply that the Spirit is shaping us in every way into Christlikeness. Additionally, the fruit of the Spirit as a whole is basically a character sketch of Christ. What is the Spirit doing in us? He is conforming us into the image of Jesus, the One who perfectly embodied love and every other virtue mentioned.

Before looking at them in three triads, remember that our goal in looking at this list is not to observe the virtues and then try to make ourselves better in our own strength. The tendency is to look at each one and say, "I'm doing all right here, but not here," or, "OK, I need to work on patience now." Rather, the point is that you must walk by the Spirit, and then the virtues grow out of that relationship with God. As a parent, I would also love to "staple on fruit" to my kids. But these virtues must flow from our union with Christ, not from our own behavior modification. We might get our kids' behavior or our own to improve, but we will not be able to create Christlikeness apart from the Spirit's work. We all need new hearts. Regenerate people have the power to naturally, holistically, and gradually bear fruit.

Love, Joy, Peace. It should not surprise us that "love" is mentioned first, given the emphasis on it elsewhere. John says that love is evidence that we know God (1 John 4:7-8). Paul talks about the primacy of love in between two chapters on the work of the Spirit (1 Cor 13). Paul tells the Romans that the Spirit has poured His love into us (Rom 5:5). Spirit-led believers express a sincere love for others (1 John 3:11-18) and express their love for God, who "first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Schreiner says, "Love is the heart and soul of the Pauline ethic, for it is love that fulfills the law (Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14)" (Schreiner, Galatians, 349).

116The Spirit also produces "joy" (cf. Rom 14:17). Believers can have joy even in the midst of trials because the Spirit has given us new affections (cf. 2 Cor 6:10). We are called on to "rejoice always" (1 Thess 5:16). This peculiar joy in Christians is vividly illustrated in the life of the early church in the books of Acts, where the work of the Spirit and joy are related. For example, Luke writes about Paul and Barnabas being driven out of the Galatian region: "And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52). The Spirit produces a life of satisfying joy, while living in the flesh only leads to constant dissatisfaction.

The Spirit also creates "peace" in the life of a Spirit-led believer. Believers have the peace of God made possible through the cross work of Jesus (Eph 2:14-15, 17). Peace rules the hearts of those who walk by the Spirit (cf. Col 3:15). Spirit-led Christians will also take on the role of peacemakers by the Spirit's power (cf. Eph 4:1-6).

Patience, Kindness, Goodness. Paul mentions "patience" in other lists (2 Cor 6:6; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 2 Tim 3:10). Enduring situations and putting up with difficult people is not easy. We need the Spirit's power to deal with our own children, people in traffic, and those "interruptions" during the day. I even found myself growing impatient with my kids as I wrote on the fruit of the Spirit! How we need to remember how patient God is with us and to pray for the Spirit to work in us!

Believers imitate Christ through "kindness" also. By His grace and kindness, God brought us repentance and faith in Christ (Rom 2:4; Eph 2:7; Titus 3:4). We should thus be marked by lives of kindness expressed through acts of service, generosity, and hospitality.

"Goodness" is closely related to kindness (cf. Rom 15:14; Eph 5:9; 2 Thess 1:11). It speaks to the idea of doing good deeds and being generous. Paul later says that believers should "do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal 6:10 ESV).

Faith, Gentleness, Self-control. The person known for "faith" or "faithfulness" is the reliable and dependable person. He keeps his word and fulfills his promises. Paul told Timothy to look for "faithful men" and entrust them with teaching others the gospel (2 Tim 2:2). One of the most difficult things to do in the Christian faith is to be faithful to your assignment in hard times. It takes the work of the Spirit to produce such steadfastness in life, ministry, and marriage.

Paul mentions "gentleness" in other lists as well (Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; Titus 3:2). In the next chapter, Paul highlights the need to restore the wayward brother "with a gentle spirit" (Gal 6:1). He urges Timothy to deal 117with his opponents gently in order that they may repent (2 Tim 2:25). Jesus, the gentle Savior, invites the weary to come and rest in Him (Matt 11:29). Pastors are to imitate Jesus in displaying a life of gentleness and meekness, not violence (1 Tim 3:3).

Finally, Paul ends this amazing list of Christlike qualities with "self-control." In contrast to the works of the flesh, like drunkenness and orgies, those who walk by the Spirit live restrained lives. The Spirit enables believers to have mastery over their passions. George says, "The fact that self-control appears last in Paul's list may indicate its importance as a summation of the preceding virtues" (Galatians, 404). In our flesh we are out of control, but by the Spirit we live self-controlled lives.

How can one live a life filled with such traits as these nine qualities? Paul says, by the Spirit. It does not happen by the law, for he says, "Against such things there is no law" (v. 23). In other words, you cannot legislate these qualities. The law can never produce this kind of fruitfulness.

Paul tells us to walk by the Spirit, and then he gives us marks of the flesh and of the Spirit and tells us to observe the obvious. So pause and ask some questions. Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your life? Is the character of Christ being formed in you? Perhaps you can say, "Yes, but I would love more progress." Join the crowd. The Spirit grows us gradually and painfully. But He produces fruit over time, as we yield to the Spirit and put to death the flesh. This leads us to the third major point.

Remember the Good News

Remember the Good News

Galatians 5:24-26

One could read this passage and be led to the conclusion that the Christian life is a tug-of-war, and "believers are consigned to a spiritually meager existence of perpetual defeat and minimal growth" (George, Galatians, 404). But I want to point out the good news mentioned here! Paul tells the Galatian believers that they should recognize the hope and power they have in their new identity. They are not hopeless in this battle, and they are not powerless. Two matters should encourage us here.

Believers Belong to Christ Jesus (5:24)

We do not need the law to restrain our behavior, since we "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (v. 24). Something more radical118 and powerful has happened to us. We have crucified the flesh. When did that happen? Paul seems to be referring to our conversion, since "Those who are in Adam and in the flesh do not have the resources to crucify it" (Schreiner, Galatians, 351). The verb "crucified" points us back to Galatians 2:20 (ibid.). When people intentionally, purposefully trust in Christ alone for salvation (the past-tense, active verb here in 5:24, "have crucified"), they are uniting themselves with Christ and saying no to their life in Adam. This death to the flesh brings about a new creation and a deliverance from the present evil age (1:4).

While believers still feel the temptation to sin, fleshly passions no longer have to reign. The good news is that because you belong to Jesus, you do not have to be dominated by the flesh. You and the flesh have parted ways. Something has already happened decisively at the cross. Christ has won the ultimate battle, and now we have to deal with this mop-up operation until Christ comes to deliver us completely from this body of death (Rom 7:24-25).

While we must daily "mortify the flesh" by acts of fasting, self-control, prayer, and repentance (George, Galatians, 405), our ultimate hope is that we belong to Jesus. So the question is, Do you? Are you Christ's? Have you become a new creation? If so, then you have power to slay the desires of the flesh, though it will be a daily and sometimes painful battle.

Believers Possess the Spirit (5:25-26)

Not only has our identity changed at conversion, but we also now have power to live every day by the Spirit. Paul says, "Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit." Again, while the passage reminds us of the intensity of the battle, we should be encouraged. We belong to Jesus, and we have the Holy Spirit. When we know these facts, it gives us enormous hope to face our daily battles. Stott says, "This victory is within the reach of every Christian, for every Christian has 'crucified the flesh' (v. 24) and every Christian 'lives by the Spirit'" (Message of Galatians, 154). We have what we need for victory.

What must we do then? In verse 24 we noted that the privileged position we have (belonging to Jesus) does not mean we have nothing to do. We must strive to daily kill the flesh, but because we are Christ's, we do not have to fear that we will be dominated by it. Here in verse 25 our possession of the Spirit does not leave us without a responsibility. Paul says, "we must also follow the Spirit" or "keep in step with the 119Spirit" (ESV). George says this verb had a military meaning, referring to "stand in a row" or to "be drawn up in line" (Galatians, 406). For the believer, we are to walk in the Spirit under the leadership of the Spirit. What a privilege to have the Spirit leading us! Keep in step with the Spirit in your attitude, conduct, relationships, and ministry.

In verse 26 Paul gives one exhortation that draws our attention back to 5:15. He says, "We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (v. 26). The fruit of the Spirit is love, not conceit and envy. Paul bookends his instruction on how not to relate to one another in the church (5:15, 26) around this section of the war between the flesh and the Spirit, once again showing us that the Christian life is a Spirit-led life. To love and serve one another in the household of faith rightly, we must remember that we belong to Jesus and that we possess the Holy Spirit. We must then resolve to live daily by the Spirit so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. In the following chapter, Paul will give more examples about how to positively care for others by the Spirit.

Reflect and Discuss

Reflect and Discuss

1. Describe the conflict believers have with the flesh.
2. Compare and contrast this passage with Romans 7:13-25.
3. What struck you the most in the section on "The Works of the Flesh"?
4. What lesson or reminder did you need the most in the section on "The Fruit of the Spirit"?
5. What is the "good news" in this passage?
6. How might you daily crucify the flesh?
7. What means or method does this passage teach for becoming like Christ? In what aspects do we not become like Christ?
8. How does this passage relate to the passages before and after it (5:13-16 and 6:1-10)?
9. In what ways are you tempted to disobey verse 26? Stop and pray for the Spirit's work in you to avoid this sin. List ways you might instead love and serve others.
10. How might the application of this passage change a couple's marriage?