“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” - Galatians 5:24This verse is strong. Paul does not say those who belong to Christ have negotiated with the flesh.He does not say they have managed the flesh.He does not say they have improved the flesh.He does not say they have educated the flesh.He does not say they have made the flesh more religious.H...  Read More

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” - Galatians 5:22–23There is a reason Paul says “fruit” and not “fruits.” That may sound small at first, but it matters. Paul does not describe the work of the Spirit like a spiritual buffet where you walk through the line and choose what y...  Read More

“Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:21Paul’s list is uncomfortable. There is no way around that.He names sexual sin.He names impurity.He names idolatry.He names sorcery.He names hatred.He names jealousy.He names anger.He names selfish...  Read More

“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,” - Galatians 5:19Let’s be honest. Most of us are better at noticing what is growing in somebody else than we are at noticing what is growing in us. We can spot their attitude. Their tone. Their selfishness. Their anger. Their drama. Their inconsistency. We can see when somebody else is acting out of the flesh....  Read More

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” - Galatians 5:25Agreement can feel like obedience. That is one of the most dangerous parts of sitting under truth. You can hear the Word of God.You can feel conviction.You can nod.You can say amen.You can underline the verse.You can talk about how powerful it was.And still walk away unchanged.Let’s be honest. Some of us have lea...  Read More

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” - Galatians 5:18Rules can be helpful. Let’s start there. Structure can be helpful. Accountability can be helpful. Discipline can be helpful. Boundaries can be helpful. But none of those things can resurrect a heart. That matters because when we feel stuck, our first instinct is usually to reach for more control.We tell ourselves, “I ne...  Read More