INTRODUCTION - MAN IS BORN INTO A CONFLICT, AND WE NEED TO REALIZE WHERE THE BATTLE LINES ARE

• I once ran from every school bully, but running brought me no peace & 2 lickings- So I changed
• Paul pled with the Galatians- to defend their liberty- not to be ensnared-made slaves
• The only way they could have peace & freedom was to walk in the spirit- fight of faith!

I. THE GREAT CONFLICT - Gal 5:13-18

The people at Galatia had started well, but had been enticed, & returned to bondage-3:1,3

A.   PAUL GAVE THEM A GREAT CHALLENGE, AND WE TODAY FACE THIS CHALLENGE OPENLY! v. 16

1. • The spirit and the flesh are like the poles of a magnet- mutually exclusive of other
   • It is only through being Born again that we have any life in the spirit- John 3:3,5
   • God's word sows the seed, it bears fruit in faith in Christ, & Jesus gives us new spirit

B.  THEN THERE IS A GREAT BATTLE, v. 17 AND IF YOU WANT EXCITEMENT, ENTER THIS CONFLICT

1. The conflict in Hab- OT- re outside evil, Rom 7- inner evil- The flesh is the 5th Column
2. If you give your flesh its wish- it becomes a monster- savage, vicious, never satisfied
3. If you allow Christ to lead through the flesh- you can make this monster serve you-harnessed

C.  THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS YOU CAN GO, AND THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND OF COMPROMISE SAFE - v.18

1. Billy Graham has finally admitted that if you stand in the middle- both sides shoot at you
2. The law is written to handcuff the criminal flesh- and you may have to watch carefully
3. If you are led by the Spirit nature- the law has no claims upon you- you are truly free!

But you must make your choice, and throw the weight of your personality the way you choose

II.  THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ! 19-21

You cannot ignore the unpleasant problems of the flesh, and sip its pleasant poisons!

A.  THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE MANIFEST - v.19 - THEY ARE CLEARLY SEEN IF YOU WOULD LEARN

1. The purpose of civilization is to teach us the lessons of history- God's word is true!
2. We can understand these a little better from Living N.T.- note Witchcraft- is dope peddler
3. But people today try to make us forget history- be sophisticated (sold on a lie) -sin!

B.  IF YE SOW TO THE FLESH, YE SHALL REAP OF THE FLESH - CORRUPTION, POLLUTION!

1. Just as there are certain unalienable rights, eternal laws, & inescapable penalties
2. We are living in a land where they are worried about pollution-can't see corruption - Moral
3. No matter what Hugh Hefner says - sip a little - drink deep - intoxicated - lose control - Death

C.  THEY THAT DO SUCH THINGS SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD - v.21b - or of earth either!

1. The great tragedy of sin is not the punishment- but the loss of the time to do good
2. What shall we do with the Flesh?- v. 24- crucify it, count it as dead, mortify, control-
3. Thank God for Eternal Salvation- security- some saved as by fire no inheritance, cheated!

In our sensate society- not much chance to keep from being exploited by fleshly interest

III. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - v. 22

To produce works- takes effort, but to produce fruit only takes normal growth- health

A.  THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE - v. 22, note also v. 13,14

1. The process of development- you cannot generate, but you can cultivate- water, fertilize
2. The fruit is LOVE, Eph 3:17- the cluster has grapes of Joy, peace, longsuffering, I Cor 13
3. Note that these are attitudes in Gal, deeds in I Cor, let each grow, to hinder it is sin!

B.  IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT - v. 25

1. The spiritual life is not mystical- it is very practical- called a WALK, not flight of fancy
2. Eph lists the walk- turn & mark- Eph 4:1, 5:2,8,10,15,16,19,20,21, 6:10- note practical
3. But watch out for the "Little Foxes that spoil the vines"- Song 2:15- today- wolves

C.  HE THAT SOWETH TO THE SPIRIT SHALL REAP LIFE EVERLASTING - v. 6:8

1. It is worthwhile to live for the Lord- yes, worthwhile now as well as in the future!
2. Now you can reap just a little touch of heaven, with an occasional battle to keep you humble
3. But when we see Jesus- it will be worth it all to hear Him say-"Well done"

The warning of 6:9 is very important- there is much well doing that is needed!

CONCLUSION - THE SCRIPTURES CHALLENGE THE HEARTS OF MEN TO LIVE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE LIFE

• Accept Christ as your Savior -  make sure you have the gift of the Spirit
• Walk in the spirit- reaching out for all that the Lord has for you- with real joy-
• Mortify the deeds of the flesh- and bury them before they bury you!