𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝘃𝘀. 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧

FLESH vs. SPIRIT

“Who Wins the War Within?”
Galatians 5:16–17 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

Every believer lives with an internal conflict. Though saved by grace, we still carry unredeemed flesh. Paul clearly teaches that the Christian life is not sinless perfection, but spiritual direction.

This battle is not between saved and lost, but between flesh and Spirit within the saved—a truth revealed most clearly in Paul’s epistles (Romans–Galatians).

Today we will examine 9 Dispensational Truths that show how the Spirit leads to victory, while the flesh leads to defeat.

CONFLICT OF NATURES
Galatians 5:17

A. Contrary Desires – Flesh and Spirit oppose one another
B. Constant Struggle – The conflict continues daily
C. Conscious Choice – Believers must decide whom to yield to
Dispensational Insight:
The flesh is not eradicated at salvation (Romans 7), but the Spirit provides power to overcome.

CORRUPTION OF THE FLESH
Romans 8:7–8

A. Carnal Mind – Flesh resists God’s truth
B. Corrupt Motives – Flesh seeks self, not Savior
C. Condemned Nature – Flesh cannot please God
The flesh cannot be reformed—it must be reckoned dead (Romans 6:11).

CONSEQUENCES OF CARNALITY
Romans 8:6

A. Defeat – Flesh produces failure
B. Destruction – Flesh leads to deathly results
C. Distance – Flesh disrupts fellowship
Salvation is secure, but spiritual joy is lost when walking in the flesh.

COMMAND TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:16

A. Daily Dependence – Walk implies continual movement
B. Deliberate Direction – A conscious spiritual walk
C. Definite Deliverance – Victory promised, not perfection
This command is to believers, not law-keepers.

CONTROL OF THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:9–11

A. Indwelling Presence – The Spirit lives in every believer
B. Inner Power – Same Spirit that raised Christ
C. Imparted Life – Spiritual vitality flows from Him
The Spirit does not come and go—He abides permanently in the Body of Christ.

CHARACTER OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22–23

A. Spiritual Fruit – Produced, not performed
B. Supernatural Change – Christ formed in us
C. Scriptural Evidence – Proof of spiritual growth
Fruit is the result of yielding, not striving.

CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH
Galatians 5:24

A. Positional Death – Flesh crucified in Christ
B. Practical Denial – Daily reckoning
C. Personal Discipline – Saying “no” to self
We don’t kill the flesh—we count it dead by faith.

CONDUCT OF THE BELIEVER
Galatians 5:25

A. Spirit-Led Steps – Keep in step with the Spirit
B. Separated Walk – Different from the world
C. Sanctified Life – Set apart by grace
The Spirit produces Christlike conduct, not religious show.

CONQUEST THROUGH CHRIST
Romans 8:37

A. Victory Assured – More than conquerors
B. Victory Applied – Through daily faith
C. Victory Sustained – By grace, not law
Victory is not achieved by effort—but received by faith.

CONCLUSION

The flesh will always promise pleasure but produce pain.
The Spirit always leads to life, liberty, and victory.
The question is not “Are you saved?”
The question is “Who are you yielding to?”

CALL TO ACTION

Stop feeding the flesh
Start yielding to the Spirit
Stand fast in grace, not law
Walk in truth, not emotion
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
— Galatians 5:16 (KJV)

FINAL THOUGHTS

Flesh seeks SELF
Spirit surrenders to GOD
Flesh leads to DEFEAT
Spirit leads to VICTORY
Victory is not found in rules…
Victory is found in RIGHTLY DIVIDED GRACE.