The word “lust” (Gal 5:16) refers to carnal, bad desires. When something good is referred to, the word “desire” (eg: 1 Tim 3:1-2) is used. In 1 John 2:16, sins are summarized as “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Today’s passage deals with the “lust of the flesh.”

After the fall of Adam, all have the sinful nature. All that we desire and do were sinful. But when we are born-again, our sinful nature is crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) and is dead. We are no longer slaves to sin. And the Spirit indwells us. We are, however, still in the flesh; and the law of the flesh and the law of the Spirit struggle within us (Rom 7). God’s command (not an option) to us is to overcome the “lust of the flesh” so that we may bear a good testimony for Christ.

1. Overcoming with the help of the Spirit (Gal 5:16). To “walk in the Spirit” means to keep allowing the Spirit within us to tell us what to do (by reminding us of God’s Word, John 14:26), and we obey and live it out. Thus, this “walking” must start with a desire to know God’s Word. We are to study God’s Word diligently, with the Spirit’s help, and to fulfil it by submitting to it. We will then be a good testimony for God. On the other hand, when we walk according to the world’s wisdom, we fulfil the lust of the flesh; and our testimony for God fails.

2. Overcoming is a life-long tension (Gal 5:17). This tension between our flesh and the Spirit (as they work against each other within us) will end only when we die. There is no retirement for our holy living. At every stage of our life, we are to guard our testimony, that it will not be tarnished by our carelessness. The only way we can keep overcoming our flesh is by prayer (1 Thess 5:17) and our ever-increasing dependence on God. Jesus warned that the moment we lust after someone, we have already committed adultery (Matt 5:28). We must be very sensitive to sin and see that lust is a serious transgression that must be repented of immediately after it appears. As we repent of the lust in our heart, our testimony before man remains intact as we have not acted out that sin. Though imperfect, we strive to be more and more obedient to God’s Word, till we see Him face to face.

3. Overcoming is an evidence of salvation (Gal 5:18). To be “under the law” means to be under the condemnation of the law. But a believer is not under the law, as he is no longer under condemnation. If a person says he cannot overcome the lust of the flesh, he is in effect saying that he does not have the Holy Spirit, implying that he is not saved. Refusing to live after the flesh but “be led of the Spirit” instead is a clear indication that we are of Christ.