There is a battle that many Christians feel but cannot always explain.
You love God — yet sometimes your desires pull in the opposite direction. You want to obey — yet something inside resists. You pray for holiness — yet old tendencies still whisper. This tension is not imaginary. It is biblical.
In Epistle to the Galatians 5, the apostle Paul pulls back the curtain on what is happening inside every believer. He describes two opposing forces: the flesh and the Spirit.
Understanding this passage can free you from confusion, fear, and unnecessary guilt. Let’s walk through it carefully.
1. What Does “Flesh” Mean in Galatians 5?
When Paul speaks about “the flesh,” he is not simply referring to your physical body. The Bible does not teach that your body is evil.
In Galatians 5, “flesh” refers to the fallen human nature — the part of us that is bent toward self-rule instead of God-rule. If you would like a deeper biblical explanation of what the word “flesh” means throughout Scripture, read our full study on The Spiritual Meaning of Flesh.
It is:
- The desire to satisfy oneself without God
- The impulse to control
- The craving for approval
- The instinct to react in anger
- The urge to gratify sinful appetite
The flesh is not merely weakness. It is independence from God. Even after salvation, believers still carry this old nature. It has been dethroned, but not yet removed.
2. What Does “Spirit” Mean?
When Paul speaks of the Spirit, he is referring to the Holy Spirit — God Himself dwelling within the believer. He writes:
“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
The Spirit is not an abstract force. He is:
- The presence of God within you
- The power to obey
- The voice of conviction
- The strength behind transformation
The Christian life is not about suppressing the flesh by willpower alone. It is about walking in step with the Spirit.
3. Why Is There an Inner Conflict?
Paul explains in Galatians 5:17:
“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.”
Notice that word: conflict.
If you feel internal war, that does not mean you are failing. It means you are alive spiritually. Before salvation, there may have been little resistance. Now there is tension. The Spirit within you resists what the flesh craves.
This conflict is not proof of hypocrisy. It is evidence of sanctification in progress. Dead hearts do not wrestle. Regenerated hearts do.
4. Examples of Living in the Flesh
Paul does not leave the concept vague. For a practical breakdown of modern-day examples and how they show up in daily life, see our detailed guide on Examples of Living in the Flesh.
In Galatians 5:19–21, he lists “the works of the flesh.”
They include:
- Sexual immorality
- Impurity
- Idolatry
- Jealousy
- Fits of anger
- Rivalries
- Envy
- Drunkenness
Notice something important: not all of these are dramatic sins. Jealousy. Strife. Selfish ambition.
The flesh is not only about outward rebellion. It is about inward self-centeredness. Living in the flesh means allowing those impulses to rule unchecked.
5. The Fruit of the Spirit
In contrast, Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
These qualities are not self-manufactured. They are Spirit-produced.
You do not wake up and “try harder” to be peaceful. As you walk with the Spirit, peace grows. Fruit grows slowly. Quietly. Naturally. Over time. That means if you see even small growth — more patience than last year, quicker repentance than before — that is evidence of the Spirit at work.
6. Living in the Flesh vs Living in the Spirit
Living in the flesh looks like:
- Reacting instead of responding
- Feeding impulses without reflection
- Justifying sinful desires
- Resisting conviction
- Prioritizing self over obedience
Living in the Spirit looks like:
- Pausing before acting
- Listening for conviction
- Choosing obedience even when it costs
- Responding with humility
- Depending on prayer
The difference is not perfection. It is direction. For a fuller comparison and practical signs of each lifestyle, read our complete teaching on Living in the Flesh vs Living in the Spirit. Are you moving toward surrender or toward self-rule?
7. Crucifying the Flesh — What Does That Mean?
Galatians 5:24 says: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
This does not mean the flesh disappears instantly. Crucifixion in the ancient world was slow. It involved ongoing weakening.
To crucify the flesh means:
- Refusing to feed sinful desires
- Denying impulses that oppose God
- Cutting off what strengthens temptation
- Choosing surrender repeatedly
It is daily. Not dramatic.
Each time you say “no” to sin and “yes” to obedience, you are weakening the grip of the flesh.
8. Walking by the Spirit Is Relational
Paul does not say “battle the flesh harder.” He says: “Walk by the Spirit.”
Walking implies:
- Ongoing relationship
- Daily dependence
- Consistent surrender
You walk with someone you trust. The Spirit leads through:
- Scripture
- Conviction
- Inner prompting
- Wise counsel
- Prayer
As you stay close to Him, the flesh loses strength. The focus shifts from fighting sin to following God.
9. Why This Matters for Temptation
Understanding flesh vs Spirit changes how you interpret temptation. Temptation does not mean you are unsaved. It does not mean you are uniquely broken. It does not mean the Spirit left you. It means two natures are pulling in opposite directions.
When you feel:
- Discomfort over sin
- Grief after failure
- Desire to change
- Hunger for righteousness
That is the Spirit opposing the flesh. And the Spirit is stronger.
10. What Growth Actually Looks Like
Many believers expect instant transformation. But sanctification is progressive. Growth may look like:
- Temptations lasting shorter
- Quicker repentance
- Less intensity in old habits
- Greater awareness of triggers
- Deeper hatred of sin
You may not feel a dramatic victory every day. But over time, you will notice shifts. That is walking in the Spirit.
11. Encouragement for the Weary
If you are tired of the battle, remember this: The presence of conflict is not proof of defeat. It is proof that the Spirit is at work within you.
The flesh may still whisper. But it no longer owns you. The Spirit may feel gentle. But He is powerful.
You are not meant to eliminate the flesh by force. You are called to walk closely with the Spirit. And as you do, something beautiful happens: The desires of the flesh begin to lose their authority. The fruit of the Spirit begins to grow. The inner war becomes more manageable. Not because you are stronger. But because the One living in you is.
Galatians 5 does not shame believers for struggling. It explains the struggle. It teaches that the Christian life is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of the Spirit within conflict.
If you feel the war inside you, do not panic. The battle between flesh and Spirit is not a sign that you are failing God. It is often a sign that God is actively transforming you.
Keep walking. Stay close. And trust that the Spirit who began the work in you will continue shaping you into the likeness of Christ.
Related Bible Studies on Flesh and Spiritual Growth
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