Galatians 5 Lesson

WHO SHOULD WE SERVE?

One of the most important questions for Christians to ask ourselves is who we are going to serve.

Either we will serve the sinful ways of the world or the righteous ways of the Lord, but we cannot do both.

Sooner or later, we all must make a choice like the one detailed in the scripture below:

• “But if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served, which were beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15.

If we want to pursue our own selfish lusts and ambitions, we will follow the ways of the world.

But if we want to glorify God, and serve others, we will follow the ways of the Lord.

And because these two choices are always available to make, there is a constant struggle that is going on between good and evil!

The Apostle Paul’s writings often contrast the difference between these two choices.

In the Book of Galatians, Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh:

• “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”– Galatians 5:16-18.

This scripture teaches us that the best way to avoid the temptations of the flesh is to walk by the Spirit.

But how do we do that?

We will begin by defining the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh according to the Apostle Paul’s writings.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

InGalatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit as:

• Love,
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Patience,
• Kindness,
• Goodness,

• Faithfulness,

• G entleness,
• Self-Control.

Following the Spirit, means humbling ourselves, and living a life of service to God and others. 

Being led by the Spirit means we do what God wants, not what we want. This path leads to Heaven.

WORKS OF THE FLESH

InGalatians 5:19-21, Paul lists the works of the flesh as:

• Immorality,
• Impurity,
• Sensuality,
• Idolatry,
• Sorcery,
• Enmities,
• Strife,
• Jealousy,
• Outbursts,
• Anger,
• Disputes,
• Dissensions,
• Factions,
• Envying,
• Drunkenness,
• Carousing.

Living according to the flesh means disregarding God’s commandments and doing what we want, as opposed to what He commands. This path leads to Hell.

MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION 

As we contemplate the fruit of the Spirit and works of the flesh, we need to decide who we are going to serve.

If we allow the works of the flesh to shape our decisions, we will not know God and He will not know us.

This path leads to eternal damnation. 

If we choose to follow God, we need to put God and others ahead of ourselves and live a life that is full of :

• Love,
• Joy,
• Peace,
• Patience,
• Kindness,
• Goodness,
• Faithfulness,
• Gentleness,
• And self-control.

CONCLUSION

All of us need to decide who or what we are going to follow in life.

This is the most important question that any of us will ever be asked because our answer dictates where we will spend eternity.

We can choose to follow the righteous ways of God, or we can succumb to the sinful ways of the earth.

If we choose to please God, we will learn about His ways and live a life of service to others. When we do this, our lives will take on a deeper purpose and we will find a renewed sense of peace.

If we choose to please only ourselves, we will live sinful lives chasing after our own ambitions and lusts. This path leads to Hell, and sadly, this is the path that most of us are on.

As Christians, we need to allow God’s word, and His Spirit to drive our thoughts and actions. This is the path that leads to Heaven, and few will find it! (Mathew 7:13-14).

When we focus on the fruit of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh, our lives will be transformed, and our minds will be renewed!

We will end today’s lesson with the following quote taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans:

• “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ” – Romans 12:2.