Shadow Side vs Spirit Side | Galatians 5
This message was preached at Sherwood Community Friends Church on Sunday, November 23, 2025. You can watch the video in full by clicking below.
This is the pawpaw tree, a fruit tree native to Canada and the eastern United States. The tree produces the pawpaw fruit. This tree takes between five to seven years to bear fruit and is only available seasonally between August to mid-September. And just like the pawpaw tree, bearing fruit in our lives that is of the Spirit takes time.
This week we are in our fifth week of our 6-week sermon series “Galatians: Freedom Through Christ.”
By the time we reach Galatians 5, Paul has unpacked the Law to the mostly Gentile audience. That was not for the sake of requiring them, as followers of Jesus, to also be under the Law. It was to address those Gentiles who had been swayed by some of the Shammai law-abiding Jews that they needed the Law on top of their relationship with Jesus.
On the contrary, Paul points out that they no longer need the Law because its original intention was to guide us to the Father. But now that Jesus has come, we no longer need the old guide. We have the Way and direct access to the Father. We only need Jesus. Amen!
But those Galatians keep trying to put on more and more obligations on themselves. Yet Paul is doing everything he can to keep the Galatian church grounded in their identity in Christ.
With that, we enter chapter 5.
For Freedom
Paul’s tone becomes pastoral again, like a father pleading with his kids not to throw their inheritance away.
Galatians 5:1 — “For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Freedom scares people, because we’ve spent our lives believing we need control to be safe. But Paul says, “No. You are free.” Free to finally be who you were made to be: sons and daughters who live like the loved children of God that we are.
But Paul has faith in the Galatians. He tells them to stand firm! Don’t give into the “yoke” - the partnership, the work - of slavery!
But the Galatians were letting their fear masquerade as holiness. It couldn’t be as simple as just following Jesus right? There’s gotta be more we gotta do, right? And I imagine that, when the Shammai Jews showed up with more “explanation,” it’s human nature that we would want to make sure that we were doing everything right. They thought adding rules would make them more righteous, more worthy. But the moment you start adding to grace, you start subtracting joy. With that loss of grace and joy, our witness to the world is tarnished. They were hitching themselves up with a heavy burden, a yoke, that they could not sustain.
Instead of yoking with the law… Paul continues.
Galatians 5:2-3 “Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law.”
What we gather here is that the Shammai Jews who had made their way from Jerusalem were giving the Christian Gentiles in Galatia an entry point—an easy IN to their dedication to the law, the agenda of the Jews.
If you just make this declaration, than that will mean you are really in on the path of righteousness!
But Paul even argues that if they follow through with circumcision, not only will they be required to follow the entirety of the Law, which means submitting to that previous guide/teacher, but also means that they will negate the grace of Christ!
Galatians 5:4 “You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.”
By being circumcised and seeking their justification through the Law, they are in essence cutting themselves off from Christ. They are forfeiting their grace.
Jerusalem Council
Paul felt so strongly about this matter that, within just a couple years of the writing of Galatians and addressing this crisis, he goes to Jerusalem himself to discuss the matter of circumcision as a requirement for Gentiles with the other Apostles and Jerusalem church leaders. Not everyone was happy about Paul’s arrival.
“But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter.” Acts 15:4-6 CSB
So what happened in this meeting? Well, there was a lot of debate. Peter (yes, the same Peter that Paul referenced in Galatians 2) stood up in agreement with the stance that circumcision should NOT be a requirement.
“Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?” Acts 15:10 CSB
Familiar language, isn’t it? This is the same thing Paul has told the Galatians! Why do you want to go to a heavy yoke? One that is bonded with slavery? And Peter points out that it’s one that even was impossible when only the Law was available to their ancestors. Why would we require this of Gentiles?
The Council continues with Paul and Barnabas sharing about how God was working through them with signs and wonders among the Gentiles. James, Jesus’ brother and the head of the Jerusalem church, comes to the following decision:
“After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. And the words of the prophets agree with this,... Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.” ” Acts 15:13-15, 19-21 CSB
The work that Paul was doing in Galatians laid the groundwork for the outcome of the Jerusalem Council, freedom for all to follow Christ without heavy burden or obstacle.
But with this decision still a few years ahead, Paul is pleading with the Galatians. Don’t go backwards! We have something better ahead of us!
5:5-6 “For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.”
That’s the heart of it — faith expressing itself through love. Not knowledge. Not perfection. Not any particular legalistic, obligatory act. Love. Paul hopes for the Galatians that they would live by faith and in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Led Astray
And they were walking in love and faith! They were doing it!
Galatians 5:7 “You were running well.”
But Paul notes that others were preventing them from following the Way.
Galatians 5:7b-12 “Who prevented you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough. I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!”
There were people who had a foothold into their lives that was pulling them from the life of grace. Jesus warns the same to the disciples in Matthew 16. The Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus and asked them to show a sign from heaven. Keep in mind, this is right after the feeding of the 4,000. No sign was good enough for them! They wanted more and more proof. Later with the disciples, he says this:
“Then Jesus told them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They were discussing among themselves, “We didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of this, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves that you do not have bread? Don’t you understand yet? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you collected? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many large baskets you collected? Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread? ” Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6-12 CSB
So when Paul says, “A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough,” he’s saying the same thing. This teaching from these Jews, it seems innocent enough, but it will grow without you even realizing. Soon you will become yoked with heavy burden. You’ll have to submit to the whole law. But Jesus came with a new yoke, one that is easy and light. He will give you rest for your souls. No checkboxes. No obstacles. No red tape. Just Jesus and his Way. Just the cross.
Love Your Neighbor
So what is the purpose of this freedom? Is our freedom for our sake? NO!
Galatians 5:13-15 “For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself., 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.”
Another echo back to Jesus. When he is asked what is the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus responds with this:
“Jesus answered, “The most important is Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ,, The second is, Love your neighbor as yourself. , There is no other command greater than these.”” Mark 12:29-31 CSB
And even Jesus’ statement echoes back to the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18, and again proving to the Galatians that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law because the Law was about 2 things: Loving and honoring God and Loving and Honoring one another. Our freedom is not about backbiting, devouring one another in conflict, or pursuing our own path. Rather our freedom is intended for the larger body of believers.
Christ set us free not for comfort but for calling.
Shadow Side
Now Paul, in that last section of scripture, says only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh”
He has just named the war inside every believer: flesh versus Spirit.
Not free to indulge the flesh. Not free to rebel. Verse 16.
Galatians 5:16-21 “16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The shadow side of humanity is driven by ego, anger, envy, and self-protection.
Some of these seem pretty clear “acts of the flesh” as what we might think of, but some are more what Jerry Bridges calls “Respectable Sins” — sins that we justify or excuse.
For the sake of the exercise, let’s take a look in more detail at these fruits of the flesh.
Drunkenness & Carousing—this isn’t just about wild parties. This is about when we use alcohol or any substance to escape reality instead of turning to God. Binge-drinking. Wine culture. Happy hour. Recreational drug use. Tailgate parties. Often these are done in community with others, commiserating and numbing together.
Sexual Immorality, Moral impurity, and Promiscuity—I think when most of us think of the most sinful sins, sexual sins tend to be toward the top of the list. Yet we excuse living with our significant other before marriage, watch questionable media, and elevate our sex life as an important part of our identity. Paul says it best in a separate letter to the Corinthians.
“Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. ” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 CSB
Idolatry—This is an extreme admiration, love or reverence for something or someone. To the Galatians, this may have manifested more in the practice of other gods, like Zeus or Hermes, or engaging with ancestral spirits to protect them. More commonly today, in our culture, our highest level of extreme admiration is for ourselves. Phrases like “Follow your heart” or “Live your truth” are mantras that even Christians know better than scripture.
Sorcery—this is the use of magic, especially black magic. Today, this might be dabbling with tarot cards, seeing a psychic or a medium, astrology & horoscopes, ouija boards, Wiccan practices, New Age practices like energy healing, crystals, auras, the use of psychedelics for spiritual connections, and practices of manifesting.
To address both of these, God says this:
“Do not have other gods besides me. Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…. ” Exodus 20:3-5a CSB
Hatred—hatred for the person who stole from you, cheated you, cheated on you, stabbed you in the back. Feels justified doesn’t it?
Strife & Outbursts of Anger—but THEY are the ones causing the problems! THEY are the ones who are wrong!
Jealousy & Envy—seems too easy to go down this trail after just 5 minutes scrolling on Instagram or Facebook.
Dissensions & Factions—When we dig our heels in on our personal preferences and allow them to dominate within the church, when we create cliques, and divide rather than seeking unity together for the sake and integrity of the gospel.
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, , says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. , Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.” Romans 12:16-21 CSB
Selfish ambition—isn’t that just goal-driven and working towards a goal? Isn’t that good?
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 CSB
And anything similar. People will often use an excuse like “the Bible isn’t clear on this topic.” But Paul points out — anything similar in heart–anything that is rooted out of a self-driven identity outside of our identity of God–is considered a fruit of the flesh.
Remember at the end of Galatians 4, we read this:
29 But just as then the child born as a result of the flesh persecuted the one born as a result of the Spirit, so also now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “Drive out the slave and her son, for the son of the slave will never be a coheir with the son of a free woman.”
Remember this is an allegory. The flesh will always try to dominate the Spirit. We must do everything we can to cut out the flesh. We must be actively aware and on guard, because the flesh will creep in to dominate. Think of Jesus’ words in John 15:2
John 15:2 “Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” John 15:2 CSB
In order to bear fruit of the Spirit, we must both name and intentionally cut out the flesh. And we cannot do this on our own. We need the revelation and the strength of the Holy Spirit to do this work in us.
Spirit Side
Some of you know that I used to be a nutritionist. How many of you know that if you and I meet to discuss your nutrition goals and I tell you the first thing you need to do is to give up eating donuts, what is the first thing you are going to want?
Donuts!
Instead, in my approach, I would often challenge them to make one healthy addition to their diet. Don’t worry about cutting anything yet!
Just add the healthy. You know what often happened? When we add in the healthy, simple, whole foods that our body was designed for, we find that we crave it. We feel better, sleep better, move better. The freedom we often experience in our bodies through eliminating not so healthy foods is worth the sacrifice!
It’s the same here. Freedom is about making space for the presence of the Spirit. The boundaries Paul lays out here isn’t to ruin the fun of our lives. It’s to help the Galatians—and us—to cut away the thorns that try to choke out the freedom that the Spirit gives to us. Remember verse 16:
v16 walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
The Father will prune us and cut away the thorns and unproducing branches.
But when we add in the Spirit, little by little, the desires of the flesh will dissipate! The Spirit offers a life that grows from the inside out. And the Spirit side is marked by freedom, love, and holy transformation. So what are the fruits of the Spirit? How do we know we are growing in these?
Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.”
I’ve been really into defining words lately, so let’s define each of these.
Love: (Agapē) The word Paul is using here is the word agapē, and this indicates more of a familial, sacrificial, and fellowship-oriented care for each other.
Joy: great pleasure and happiness
Peace: free from anxiety or distress
Patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, problems or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious.
Kindness: friendly, generous, and considerate.
Goodness: morally good or virtuous.
Faithfulness: Loyal and steadfast.
Gentleness: kind, tender, or mild-mannered.
Self-control: the ability to control one’s emotions and desires, especially in difficult situations.
When you live like a son or daughter instead of a slave, you stop measuring yourself against everyone else. Instead, we lean into the fruits of the Spirit, not out of a grind but instead out of creating space and holding space for the fruit to flourish.
Just like a paw paw tree that takes up to 7 years to bear fruit, it takes time for these spiritual fruits to grow. But we must be diligent to continue allowing the Father to cut away the thorns, weeds and fruits of the flesh so the fruits of the Spirit can flourish in us by his power..
Conclusion
So Paul ends with this vision: the Spirit of God leading a family of faith that looks like love.
Galatians 5:24-26 “24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Freedom in Christ is not a license to live for self or to elevate a personal calling over the body of Christ. Rather, it’s liberty to live for love.
When truth becomes our worldview, grace becomes our instinct. Freedom is about the presence of the Spirit.
As the worship team comes up, I’ll close with 3 possible next steps for us today.
Ask the Spirit to show you one flesh-driven habit, attitude, or pattern that He wants to prune. There might be something really obvious that God has already convicted you of today. Other’s you might be in the circle of justification right now. This is why we need the Spirit. Then allow him to do the work of cutting it away.
Add one practice that makes space for the Spirit. Set a timer for 3-minutes of silence each morning and pray “Speak Lord. I’m listening.” Or open your Bible as we near the end of our 2 year Bible reading plan. Or intentionally opt for some worship music instead of your normal music you default to. You can’t just cut out donuts. You gotta replace that space with an intentional practice.
Serve someone in love this week. It’s Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner. There are lots of opportunities to cross over the boundary lines of our differences to serve someone with a meal, a conversation, or something else.
Ask the Lord what your next step is today. Write it down. Make a note so that we can become a people who walk according to the Spirit and its fruit.
