In Galatians 5 Paul uses several word pictures to describe a way of life that is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. First he gives the command to “walk by the Spirit” in verse 16. Then he says we are to be “led by the Spirit” in verse 18, and again in verse 25 he talks about “living by the Spirit” and “keeping in step with the Spirit.” These phrases all describe the same thing - doing life by the Holy Spirit’ direction and enabling power. Verse 13-15 help understand the big picture from which this concept comes. In the book of Galatians, Paul is writing to convince the Galatians that they do not need to follow the Law of Moses if they are in Christ. In fact, he makes it clear that the work of Jesus on the cross has set us free from the law! But, he also makes clear that being set free from the law does not mean we should then become enslaved to the “flesh.” In order to fully grasp what Paul is talking about here we need to explore three concepts - freedom, the flesh, and the law.
