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Outline 075 of 100 · Galatians

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-25 — Life in the Spirit as the antidote to the flesh's works

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Paul contrasts two ways of living — walking after the flesh or walking in the Spirit — with a stark warning that these are in constant conflict, 'so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.' The works of the flesh are listed in ugly detail, from adultery to hatred to envyings, showing sin's corruption reaching every relationship. Against this, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance — deliberately singular, one fruit with many facets, produced not by effort but by the Spirit's indwelling life. Believers who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts, and are called to 'walk in the Spirit' continually, not as a one-time event. This is sanctification by faith — not the flesh straining to imitate goodness, but the Spirit producing genuine Christlike character as we abide in dependence on Him.

  1. I. The conflict described

    • Flesh lusting against the Spirit
    • Spirit against the flesh
    • Contrary the one to the other

  2. II. The works of the flesh listed

    • Sins of the body — adultery, uncleanness
    • Sins of relationship — hatred, wrath, envyings
    • A warning that such will not inherit the kingdom

  3. III. The fruit of the Spirit produced

    • Love, joy, peace as the root cluster
    • Longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith toward others
    • Meekness, temperance as inward mastery

  4. IV. The walk required

    • Crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts
    • "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit"
    • A continual, moment-by-moment dependence
The appeal

You cannot manufacture the fruit of the Spirit by effort any more than a branch can force fruit without the vine. Abide in Christ today and walk in the Spirit, letting Him produce His character in you.

Key points

  • The flesh and Spirit are in constant conflict within the believer.
  • The works of the flesh are self-produced; the fruit of the Spirit is Spirit-produced.
  • Sanctification comes by continually walking in dependence on the Spirit.

Key passages

  • Galatians 5:16-17
  • Galatians 5:19-21
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Galatians 5:25