Galatians 5:16-26

Summary: Paul here contrast for us the works of the flesh (v19-21) with the fruit of the Spirit (v22-23), and the opposition between them could hardly be sharper. Which is why, as Paul says in v.17, the Spirit and the flesh are in a hostile state of opposition to one another. What that means for us as believers is that we can expect a fierce battle in our lives with our own sinful nature as a result of having the Spirit live within us. Galatians 5 teaches us that character formation will involve a persistent and sometimes fierce fight against our own flesh. However, it also encourages us that we fight in and with and through the power of the Holy Spirit and thus can be assured of victory.