Read & explore together
Walking by the Spirit
This passage contrasts two ways of living: walking by the Spirit and following the flesh. The writer names their results clearly and ends by urging people who live by the Spirit to walk by the Spirit as well.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, the writer gives direct teaching within a letter. He explains the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, warns about obvious deeds of the flesh, describes the fruit of the Spirit, and finishes with practical words about how people treat one another.
Galatians 5:16–26Main takeaway
If we live by the Spirit, we are called to walk by the Spirit, while those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A clear command and a real conflictThe passage opens with both instruction and promise: walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Explanation
The passage opens with both instruction and promise: walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The writer explains why this matters. The flesh and the Spirit are contrary to one another, so they pull in opposite directions. Being led by the Spirit is also described as not being under the law.
02Obvious deeds of the fleshThe writer then lists deeds of the flesh. These include sexual sins such as sexual immorality, uncleanness, and lustfulness, as well as idolatry, sorcery, damaged relationships, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and similar things.
Explanation
The writer then lists deeds of the flesh. These include sexual sins such as sexual immorality, uncleanness, and lustfulness, as well as idolatry, sorcery, damaged relationships, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and similar things. He gives a serious warning that those who practise such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
03The fruit of the SpiritIn contrast, the Spirit produces fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.
Explanation
In contrast, the Spirit produces fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. This list describes a life shaped in a very different way from the deeds just named. The writer adds that against such things there is no law, showing that these qualities are not condemned.
04Belonging to Christ and living with othersThe passage then says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Explanation
The passage then says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. Because those who live by the Spirit should also walk by the Spirit, the final verse makes this practical by warning against conceit, provoking one another, and envying one another.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reason does the passage give for the struggle people feel between different desires?
Read Galatians 5:17 and notice how the flesh and the Spirit are described in relation to each other.
02Which kinds of behaviour are grouped together as deeds of the flesh?
Use Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:20, and Galatians 5:21 to sort the list into areas such as sexual conduct, worship, relationships, and self-control.
03How does the ending of the passage show that walking by the Spirit affects everyday relationships?
Look at the specific actions to avoid in Galatians 5:26 after reading the call to walk by the Spirit in Galatians 5:25.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Galatians 5:16–26
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
21envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
25If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.
26Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.