Unspiritual Desires

Galatians 5:16-21 – Even though the Spirit resides within us, we are not immune to sinful outbursts that seek to satisfy our fleshly impulses. We must wage war against the unspiritual desires that still plague us.

Observations

• We often treat the Holy Spirit as a feeling to chase, but Scripture describes Him as a guide to follow (5:16).
• Christians will still feel the pull of the flesh, but walking by the Spirit means refusing to finish those sinful desires [Note: “carry out” (τελέσητε) is from the same root word used for Jesus’ words “It is finished”] (5:16).
• The flesh and the Spirit are not just at odds; they’re at war (5:17).
• If you never say no to yourself, you’re already saying no to God (5:17).
• The flesh seeks new permissions, the Law provides old restrictions, but the Spirit offers new ambitions (5:18).
• No matter how hard we try to deny it, living in the flesh is obvious when we witness it (5:19-20).
  • Immoral (sexual immorality, more impurity, promiscuity) 
  • Idolatrous (idolatry, sorcery)
  • Interrelational (hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissensions, factions)
  • Internal (selfish ambitions, envy)
  • Indulgent (drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar)
• Saved people will struggle with sin but won’t allow it to go unchallenged (5:21).

Applications

• Walk with Spirit awareness.
• Attack your dominant threat.
• Pray for better desires (not just better behavior).