Originally Posted by Tom
Galatians 5:16 Question

Galatians 5:16 says: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

This would seem to indicate that believers do not always “walk in the Spirit” and when we do not we will “gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Is that the correct way to understand this?

A friend of mine does not think so.

He says: “…believers are not “in the flesh” they are “in the Spirit.”

Thought?
I'm taking another shot at this one if it's ok! I forgot to include a Scripture reference on my first reply (Ro 8:9). The reason why believers are not in the flesh (sin nature or old man) is because it's never their desire to be in the sin nature, we want it removed as we hate it. One is either in the flesh or in the Spirit, and the one you like best is what you're after. Believers are walking after the Spirit and not the "old man" because it is no longer their desire, and we do it unwillingly, unlike the way we use to be liking it.

This is Paul's point when he speaks of "captivity" (Ro 7:23), it's always against his desire, and that's not our desirable nature. It's all about what we want, not what we don't want to do! When we sin it's never what we want.

Last edited by NetChaplain; Fri Mar 27, 2026 5:55 PM.
The Christian life is not our living a life like Christ, or our trying to be Christ-like, nor is it Christ giving us the power to live a life like His; but it is Christ Himself living His own life through us; 'no longer I, but Christ.’” -MJS