Class #45: Before conversion there is nothing to oppose the lusts of the flesh, and therefore the sinful flesh has free reign. After conversion, “the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another….” Due to the remaining sinful nature, which wars against the Spirit, the Christian life is encumbered with much weakness. We often fall short of our desire to do good, as described in Romans 7:14-19, “For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate that I do.” When this happens we confess our sins and receive forgiveness.
It is also true as St. Paul assures us in Galatians 5:16-18, that believers “walk in the Spirit,” so that the Spirit prevents us from putting into practice the desires of the flesh–“…so that you do not do the {evil} things that you wish.” Though we want to be free of those sinful desires and fight against them, we are comforted in our conflict that these sins are not imputed to believers.
Overhead: Galatians Class 45 Overhead
Handout 1: Gal 5 17 handout
Handout 2: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 16 thru 21
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