The following sermon is by John MacArthur, pastor, author, and Bible teacher with Grace

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And now unleashing God's truth one verse at a time.

Here's Grace to You, Bible teacher John MacArthur.

If you will open your Bible to Galatians chapter 5 and 6.

Now remember, Galatia is a region and Paul is writing to a number of churches in cities in the region of Galatia.

He has been defending his apostleship, he has been defending the gospel, and he has been defining what it is to live a Christian life, freedom in Christ rather than legalism.

We want to pick up Paul's account in chapter 5 verse 16, backtracking it just a little bit so we can set a context.

In the last two chapters he deals with issues of the Christian life, the first two chapters defends his apostleship, the second two chapters he defends the gospel.

Now he writes about spiritual life, how to walk in the Holy Spirit, how to live a life of freedom in Christ that is still obedient.

And we'll pick it up in chapter 5 verse 16, but I say walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

For the flesh that's its desire against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh.

For these are in opposition to one another so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus, they have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

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