Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:16-24 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

As I reflect on this passage in Epistle to the Galatians, I realize how real the inner struggle truly is. Paul’s words describe something I experience often — the tension between what I know is right and what my flesh naturally desires. “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit…” (v.17). That conflict reminds me that the battle is not imaginary; it is spiritual.

When I try to overcome wrong attitudes or habits by my own strength, I usually fail. But verse 16 shifts my focus: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” It doesn’t say “fight harder” — it says “walk.” That speaks of relationship, daily dependence, steady steps with God.

The list of the works of the flesh humbles me. I may not struggle with every outward action named, but attitudes like jealousy, impatience, or anger can quietly grow in my heart if I am not careful. Left unchecked, they pull me away from peace and unity.

Yet what encourages me most is the fruit of the Spirit. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. These are not qualities I can manufacture through effort alone. They grow as I stay connected to Christ. The Spirit produces in me that I cannot produce myself.

Verse 24 reminds me that belonging to Christ means making a decisive break with my old way of living. It is not perfection, but surrender. Each day is another opportunity to choose the Spirit over the flesh.

This passage calls me to examine my walk. Not just what I say I believe, but what my life is producing. Am I displaying the works of the flesh, or is the fruit of the Spirit becoming evident?

My desire is simple: to walk closely enough with the Spirit that His fruit becomes visible in every part of my life.

Patrick Brown was born at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ on February 25^th, 1949. He became a Christian Believer when he stepped off the plane in Vietnam in 1971. Since that time, he has devoted his life to the Lord through ministering as a Sunday School teacher in various churches in Mississippi. He is a graduate of Exploding Evangelism (EE) and certified as a Gospel Evangelist Trainer. Patrick is a member on staff at Christian Grandfather Magazine in charge of Daily Devotionals. He and his wife, Sherrilyn, enjoy retirement in Ridgeland, MS.They have two Daughters, five Grandsons and two Great Grandsons.

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