Galatians - "Feed What You Want" - Galatians 5:13-16 - Mike Maglish

Feed What You Want

Galatians 5:13-16
Mike Maglish

Part of Galatians

November 16, 2025

Galatians 5:13-18 

Paul pits the SPIRIT against the FLESH. He frames it as a conflict, a battle, a choice. 

Flesh - σάρξ (sarx) - “Body” or “Human nature apart from God”

Spirit - πνεῦμα (pneuma) - “God’s living presence within us. Shapes us more like Jesus.” 

Flesh (σάρξ / sarx) 
• Romans 7:18: “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” 
• Galatians 5:17: “The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit.” 
The “flesh” is not your skin — it’s your old self, your default setting of self-centeredness.

Spirit (πνεῦμα / pneuma) 
• Romans 8:9: “You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” 
• Galatians 4:6: “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.” 

The FLESH leads to DESTRUCTION 

Galatians 5:19–21 

“And that’s not an exhaustive list … there are many more, many more that could be added to the list.” 
— John MacArthur, The Fruit of the Spirit, Part 1 

Other Examples Of Flesh In Scripture 
• Greed and Covetousness – Colossians 3:5 
• Pride and Arrogance – Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6 
• Neglect of the Poor or Injustice – Amos 5:11–12; Luke 16:19–31 
• Unforgiveness and Bitterness – Ephesians 4:31–32 
• Deception and Hypocrisy – Acts 5:1–11 
• Abuse of Power or Control – 3 John 9–10 
• Fear and Distrust of God – Romans 14:23 
• Slander and Gossip – 2 Corinthians 12:20

FROM SERMON CLUB 
gossip, church splits, ego before others, cliques, division between young and old, philosophical disagreements, majoring in non-gospel doctrine

21 “I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” —Galatians 5:21 
πράσσοντες (prassontes), implies a habitual lifestyle. This isn’t about one-time failure; it’s a life consistently ruled by the Flesh. 

The SPIRIT produces LIFE 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.” —Galatians 5:22-23 

Other Examples Of Fruit In Scripture 
• Generosity – 2 Corinthians 9:8 
• Humility – James 3:13–18 
• Mercy – James 3:17 
• Purity – James 3:17 
• Righteousness – Romans 14:17 
• Wisdom – James 3:1723 “against such things there is no law.” —Galatians 5:23 

“Neither God nor man has ever made a law against these things; the more there is of them, the better will it be for everybody.” - Charles Spurgeon 

We must CRUCIFY the FLESH daily 

24 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” —Galatians 5:24 

23 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” —Luke 9:23 

25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25 

στοιχῶμεν (stoichōmen) literally means to walk in line, like soldiers or a marching band following the cadence of the leader. 

Practical Ways To Keep In Step With The Spirit 
• Stay close to Jesus daily — prayer, Scripture, worship. 
• Walk with others — accountability and community matters. 
• Crucify the Flesh daily — refuse gossip, envy, anger, etc.. 
• Respond to the Spirit’s nudges — small acts of kindness, patience, love. 

Galatians 5:13-14 

Takeaway: Live In SPIRIT-LED freedom