What steps can we take to avoid the "acts of the flesh"? Recognize the Battle • Galatians 5:17 reminds us, “For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.” • Acknowledge that every believer faces a daily conflict between the old nature and the new. Seeing the struggle clearly is the first step to victory. Identify the Fleshly Works • Galatians 5:19–21 lists them plainly: “sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalry, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” • Study each term so you can spot it early in thought, word, or deed. • Recognize that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v. 21). The stakes are eternal. Walk by the Spirit • Key command: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Daily surrender: Invite the Spirit to lead every choice—small and big. • Active dependence: Lean on His power, not will-power (Romans 8:13). Feed the New Nature, Starve the Old • Scripture intake: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk” (1 Peter 2:2). Regular reading, memorizing, and meditating crowds out fleshly cravings. • Worship: Praise shifts focus from self-gratification to God-glorification (Psalm 63:3–5). • Service: “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13). Serving redirects energy away from selfish pursuits. Guard Your Gates • Eyes: “I have made a covenant with my eyes” (Job 31:1). Screen what you watch. • Ears: Filter music, podcasts, and conversations (Philippians 4:8). • Mind: Take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Cultivate Godly Relationships • Fellowship: “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). • Accountability: Invite trusted believers to ask hard questions; confess quickly (James 5:16). • Mentorship: Walk with mature saints who model Spirit-led living (1 Corinthians 11:1). Practice Spiritual Disciplines • Prayer and fasting: Jesus said some battles require focused prayer (Mark 9:29). Fasting weakens the flesh’s grip. • Solitude and silence: Create space to hear God’s voice above the flesh’s noise (Luke 5:16). • Regular self-examination: “Search me, O God… and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). Stand Firm in Gospel Freedom • Remember the cross: The flesh was crucified with Christ (Galatians 5:24). • Live resurrected: “Consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). • Rest in grace: Victory flows from Christ’s finished work, not human effort (Ephesians 2:8-9). Keep in Step Daily • Moment-by-moment checks: Before reacting, pause—“Spirit, lead me.” • Quick repentance: When you stumble, confess immediately (1 John 1:9). • Ongoing gratitude: Thank God for each victory; it nurtures a Spirit-filled outlook (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Walk in the Fruit, Not the Flesh • Galatians 5:22–23: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—evidence the flesh is losing ground. • Pursue these actively; the Spirit produces them as you abide (John 15:5). Victory over the acts of the flesh is possible—and promised—when we continually yield to the Holy Spirit, saturate our hearts with Scripture, guard our inputs, live in accountable community, and cling to the gospel every single day. |
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