Living Life from the Inside Out

Part 3 of the “Keep in Step” message series
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16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. – Galatians 5:16-25 (NASB) ​

The BIG Idea

The desires of the flesh are directly opposed to the desires of the Holy Spirit. We cannot do what our flesh wants and serve the Holy Spirit. We must choose which we will elevate. We must learn to separate the will of our natural desires and the will of the Holy Spirit for our lives. We must choose to live life from the inside out!

 

We must learn to separate the will of our natural desires and the will of the Holy Spirit for our lives.

 

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24 (NASB)

 

We serve what we rely on in this life.

 

Each choice is in service of one over the other.

 

ILLUSTRATION: Star Wars with the choice of The Dark Side or The Force

 

But the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 (NASB)

 

For the follower of Jesus, Christ is the source of both our desire and our ability.

 

ILLUSTRATION: Video of scoring for the wrong team in basketball and football.

 

Serving the desires of the flesh is like scoring points for the wrong team.

 

ILLUSTRATION: The child distracted by the candy store and losing the parents.

 

In the 21^st century Church, we often think of following Jesus more in the terms of addition and subtraction than we do about transformation.

 

The process of addition and subtraction is not the heart of the New Testament.

*See John 3:3, II Corinthians 5:17, and Romans 12:1-2.

 

Walking by the Holy Spirit means embracing the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives to transform how we do things.

 

Our best efforts to change ourselves lead to frustration and dead ends.

 

ILLUSTRATION: Duct-Taping Apples and Make-Up on people.

 

God has given us the Holy Spirit to address life from the inside out!

 

ILLUSTRATION: Controlled Burns in National and State Parks

 

Will we do what we want to do for ourselves, or will we do what God calls us to do?

 

Questions for Reflection:

What do you think Paul meant when he discussed the importance of putting to death the desires of our flesh?

When we examine Galatians 5:19-21, how often do you see these things taking place around you? How does that make you feel?

When we examine Galatians 5:22-24, how often do you see these things taking place around you? How does that make you feel?

What can you do to put to death the will of the flesh?

How can you keep from scoring for the other team in your faith journey?

Are you ready to live life led by the Holy Spirit, a life lived from the inside out?