The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Galatians 5:16 Question

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 have also wondered on this to me its like Ephesians 5;18 be filled with the spirit a continually being filled, I hope others more learned will help us with this Daily confession of sin and yielding to God
Bob

Believers ... true believers are indwelt by the Spirit AND they are not perfected in this life but rather still possess a remnant of their old nature. Thus, there is a war within the believer where the sinfulness remaining influences the new nature as the believer is being conformed to the image of Christ. Thus, we see in the Epistles, e.g., Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, they being divided into two parts; the first being basically doctrinal in emphasis and the latter being praxis (application to life of the previous doctrines). In those latter sections there are myriad injunctions to "do" this and that; to live in this manner and to not live in that manner. It is the Spirit who guides, strengthens and enables believers to walk by the Spirit, to pray in the Spirit, etc. Sanctification is 'synergistic' (cf. Eph 2:8-10; Phi. 2:12,13; et al). All the injunctions are addressed to believers and NOT to the Spirit. They are responsible to put off the old man and to put on the new according to the Spirit. And lastly, as you are surely aware, Paul's autobiographical record found the the second half of Romans 7 teaches and illustrates this dichotomy, war, suffering, and striving that exists with the final word of victory to all who are truly "in Christ".

thank you Sanctification is synergistic God may sober up a person but its the persons job to keep the plug in the jug sorry laymens understanding I have to do my part . trudging the road of happy destiny

I disagree; I do not believe sanctification is synergistic.

Welcome to The Highway Discussion Board. Glad to see a fellow " Reformed Congregationalist".

Okay, so explain why sanctification is monergistic (I'm assuming that is your view since you reject it is synergistic).

Thank you for the welcome, glad to be here. Yes my view is monergistic and I would be happy for the opportunity to share my view. However at the moment I don’t have the time. I’m presently at work and usually just check in throughout the day. But will when I have some time to put my thoughts together.
Maybe later
Blessings

Romans of course writes that Christians aren't "in the flesh." Being in the flesh is reference to being after the "old man" or sinful nature, which of course would mean not saved yet! It's in us, but we are not in it!

It is my believe that sanctification, is both Definitive and Progressive.

I believe that is how RC Sproul described it.

So, unless I am misunderstanding something. Definitive would be Monergistic and Progressive would be Synergistic.

Tom

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.

Every after being saved, we can still choose to submit either to the desires of our flesh, or to the Holy Spirit Himself