Living by the Spirit

This post marks the end of our journey through Galatians. Over the past few weeks, Paul has urged the Galatians not to turn back to slavery. In chapter 5, he makes it clear: Christian freedom can be misused in two ways—license and legalism.

License is using our freedom as an excuse to live however we want (5:13). Legalism is trying to earn God’s favor through rule-keeping (5:1–4). The truth is, both are a kind of slavery. Both misunderstand what freedom in Christ really means.

True freedom is found in trusting Christ and walking by the Spirit. That’s where we’re headed: learning to live by the Spirit, which avoids both reckless independence and fearful rule-keeping. It's the narrow way—and the path to the joyful, obedient life God intends.

So how do we live by the Spirit?

Know the Struggle (vv. 17–18)

Let’s be honest: the Christian life is a struggle. And often, the struggle isn’t external—it’s internal. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde: part of you wants to obey God; part of you doesn’t.

Paul explains this in verse 17: “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh…” These are two natures in conflict—our sinful nature (the flesh) and our renewed nature (the Spirit). The flesh leads us to find our value in creation; the Spirit leads us to find our value in the Creator.

The Greek word used for “desires” is epithumia, which literally means “over-desire.” Often, our problem isn’t that we desire bad things, but that we over-desire good things—success, approval, comfort, security. We seek them in careers, relationships, image, or money. That’s the battleground.

If you're a Christian, this conflict is real because your deepest desire is to want what God wants. That’s why when you sin, something in you says, “This isn’t me. I want God.” The struggle itself is evidence that the Spirit is at work in you.

Crucify the Flesh (vv. 19–21, 24)

But that struggle should lead us somewhere. It should prompt us to reflect: Is my life characterised by the struggle? Or is it characterised by an ongoing, unrepentant surrender to sin?

Paul is clear: “Those who live by the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God” (v. 21). This isn’t about being perfect, but about being made new—about whether your conscience is soft toward God.

If you’ve truly experienced God’s grace, you won’t be able to live in habitual, unrepentant sin. And if you can, then it’s worth asking: “Have I really been made new by the Spirit?”

The Christian life isn’t neat—it’s messy. Sometimes we win battles with great success; sometimes we fail with soul-crushing despair. But the struggle itself is evidence of the Spirit’s renewing work.

As John Owen put it: “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Paul says it this way: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (v. 24). This isn’t passive resistance. It’s decisive action. Crucifixion is slow, painful, and final.

Walk in Step with the Spirit (vv. 22–26)

So what does it look like to live by the Spirit? It means walking in step with Him—allowing the Spirit to shape your desires, attitudes, and actions. It’s not just about saying “no” to sin, but going deeper—getting to the root.

Like pulling weeds in a garden, it’s not enough to remove what’s on the surface. We have to get underneath—to the source of the desire—and root it out.

The good news? If you're struggling with sin today, be encouraged. That struggle may not be evidence against your faith—it may be evidence for it.

And remember: your sin may be great, but God's grace is greater.