Slices
Prepare
As you read God’s Word today, ask him to show you ways in which you are not keeping in step with the Spirit.
Bible passage
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Explore
‘Freedom’ is a popular word. But people use it to mean different things. Paradoxically, the idea will always mean being in service to something or someone. In these verses, Paul draws out two opposing ideas to help the Galatian Christians understand: ‘freedom’ can be used selfishly to indulge our own desires of the flesh, or it can be used to love others (v 13), arising from our love for God (Matthew 22:37–40).
In the world (and in our own lives), we see conflict between selfish desire (vs 19–21) and the life of God’s Spirit (v 17). However, as believers, filled by the Spirit, we are discovering freedom as our own desires begin to reflect God’s desires. I am no longer under law (v 18). The fruit of the Spirit is at work in me (vs 22,23), displaying God’s own love for others. But we’re not there yet!
As in the early church, arguments, envy and provocation of others still threaten the community of believers (vs 15,26). Let’s remember again that Christ has died for our sin (v 24). Now, given life by the Spirit, we are enabled to keep in step with the Spirit (v 25). As we love others (the Galatians needed to hear this), ‘the entire law is fulfilled’ (v 14).
Respond
Meditate on the words of verses 22 and 23. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to live like this today.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Leviticus 21,22; Matthew 11
Pray for Scripture Union
Work has already begun on Daily Bread and Encounter with God for 2025. Thank God for all the writers, editors, designers, proofreaders and others who work tirelessly behind the scenes on these notes to ensure that they enable all our readers to grow closer to Jesus and live for him.
