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This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

Daily Bible Reading “Walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16-26)

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Walk in the Spirit

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:16-26. Paul continues with his letter to the churches at Galatia instructing them to walk in the Spirit so they won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Do you know what Paul means by telling them to walk in the Spirit?

When Paul speaks of the Spirit, he is talking about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity. God is made up of three parts – God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. When a person gets saved, or accepts Jesus as their Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live within the new believer. He helps to lead, guide, and direct him to do the right thing in his life. He also comforts the believer.

The flesh (our earthly body) lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit oppose one another, which causes us not to be able to do the things that we know are right sometimes. It is like a war is going on inside of us. It is the war against good and evil. If you are led of the Spirit, you aren’t under the law.

Paul includes a long list of sins that are manifest in the body, in Galatians 5:19-21, when you turn your will over to the desires of the flesh, by listening to and giving into the temptation to do wrong. Paul says those who practice these things won’t inherit the kingdom of God.

In Romans 7 Paul talks about the “inward man,” which is the “Spiritual man” and the “outward man,” which is the “flesh” and how there is a battle that goes on between the two of them. He talks about how sometimes we know that we should do good, but we don’t do it.

In this Scripture in John, Jesus Himself is talking to Nicodemus and tells him “You must be born again.” John 3:5-7:
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

When we are born into this world of our mother we are born of water and of the flesh. Since the fall of Adam every person who is born of the flesh is born in sin. To be born of the Spirit you have to accept Jesus as your Savior, and then the Spirit comes and abides with you.

In this Scripture, Paul talks next about the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are the characteristics that a Christian living in the Spirit should have. Paul says that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh, including its affections and the lusts of the flesh. Look at these two sets of characteristics and see where they fit into your life.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Once you become a Christian all the sins you have committed are covered by Jesus’ blood through His death on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins.

If you are a Christian, does that mean you will always do the right thing or act the right way? No, it doesn’t, because we still have the flesh – our earthly desires and temptations – to deal with in this life. The more you study God’s Word and develop a closer relationship with Him the more you will see the Spirit at work in your life. Paul says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Not desiring vain glory, provoking one another or being envious of one another.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:16-26

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Things to think about:

What are considered to be the works of the flesh?
What are the fruits of the Spirit?
In what ways are you walking in the Spirit?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks about the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh. Help us to always follow the Spirit in our lives. Forgive us of the times we have let the flesh rule in our lives. Give us strength day to day to do Your will. Help us to have the fruit of the Spirit alive and working in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and …

Daily Bible Reading “Stand Fast” (Galatians 5:15)

Posted on March 3, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Stand Fast

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 5:15. As we continue with Paul’s letter to the Galatians, Paul tells them to stand fast in the liberty and freedom of Christ and warns them not to get entangled with the yoke of bondage. Don’t mistake this freedom of Christ to mean you can go out and do whatever you want. That’s not what it means.

The freedom we have in Christ is freedom from sin. The freedom Christ died for was to cover our sins on the cross so we didn’t have to try to earn our way to God by trying to perfectly follow all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament. Even though Christ died on the cross to free us from sin, a lot of people still live under bondage trying to earn their way to Christ by thinking they are good or by trying to do good things.

Those who live in the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. In Jesus Christ it doesn’t matter whether you are circumcised or not. It is faith that works love. Paul reminds the Galatians that they were running well, and asks who hindered them and caused them not to obey the truth? Paul knew they had been persuaded by someone other than the one who first called them to faith in Christ.

Paul says a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Leaven is yeast, which makes bread rise. You only have to put a little bit of yeast in bread to make the whole batch rise. It’s kind of like saying one bad apple spoils the whole barrel. When you get wrong doctrine, or sin, in a body of believers it will eventually spoil the whole group.

Paul tells them he has confidence in them in the Lord, that they will be like-minded. Paul declares that whoever is trying to influence them otherwise will be judged by God. Paul’s desire was those who were causing this trouble in the churches of Galatia to be cut off from them.

Paul asked them if he was still preaching circumcision or the law, then why was he being persecuted. He reminds them if they were going to follow the law they have to follow the whole law; they can’t just pick and choose what parts they want to follow, in order to feel like they were good enough to get to heaven. If we were justified by the law, we would be fallen from grace. Christ died on the cross to free us from the bondage of living under the law. Why would we want to go back to living under the law, when we can be free?

Paul tells them they have been called to liberty; however, they aren’t to use that liberty to satisfy the flesh. He encourages them to serve one another in love. He says, all the law is fulfilled in this one statement, “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Paul warns them if they fight and devour one another, to be careful that they aren’t consumed of one another. It isn’t good for us to be having disagreements among the body of Christ. We’re to come together in one mind, loving one another, and serving one another as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:1-15

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Things to think about:

What does it mean to live under the law?
What does it mean to live by grace through faith?
Are you living in the liberty Christ died to give you? If not, why? If so, how?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul talks to the Galatians about not being influenced by people who are trying to put them back in bondage under the law. Help us to accept the blessing that was given to us through Jesus Christ. Forgive us of the times we’ve tried to earn our way to You, knowing full well we would never be able to. We pray that You would convict the hearts and call those who haven’t already accepted Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

– Galatians 5:1

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. – Galatians 4:28

Daily Bible Reading “The Children of Promise” (Galatians 4:21-31)

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

The Children of Promise

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:21-31. As we continue in the book of Galatians with the letter that Paul wrote to the Galatians. Paul inquires of them asking, “Those of you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?”

Under the law, it is what you do, the rules you follow, that makes you right with God, but under grace it is what God did through His Son, Jesus Christ that makes us right with God. If you fail under the law, you are out of fellowship with God, but through grace and faith you can be forgiven.

Paul compares the law and faith to the difference between Abraham’s two sons. Paul says, “It is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid and the other by a freewoman. Abraham’s son Ishmael who was born of a bondwoman, was born of the flesh, but his son Isaac, who was born of the freewoman, was born by the promise.”

If you remember in Genesis Sarah was barren for many years so she gave her handmaiden Hagar to Abraham who bore him a son called Ishmael. Sarah was impatient and tried to fix the problem on her own, but in God’s time Sarah gave birth to Isaac, who was the son God promised her.

Paul talks about the two covenants and compares them. Paul says that Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, the same mount where Moses received the law, answers to Jerusalem which is now in bondage with her children. However, Jerusalem above, which is Sarah is free, and is the mother above us all. Paul is speaking of the New Jerusalem.

Paul says, “It is written, rejoice those of you who are barren, cry out those of you that are not giving birth, the desolate have many more children than she which has a husband.” Paul was saying that there would be more people born of the flesh than Christians, who are born of the promise.

Paul says that, we are like Sarah’s son Isaac, the children of promise. Like Isaac those who are born of the promise will be persecuted by those who are born of the flesh. Paul reminds them that the Scripture says to cast out the bondwoman (Hagar) and her son (Ishmael). The son of the bondwoman won’t be an heir with the son of the freewoman (Sarah). Likewise, we aren’t sons of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Do you get the picture of how Paul is comparing Isaac and Ishmael to the law and faith? As Christians we aren’t under the bondage of the law, but we are free through faith in Jesus Christ. Look at this Scripture in Romans 4:13-16

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:21-31

21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Things to think about:

Why would anyone prefer to live under the law or by grace? Do you have a preference?
Why do we try to put ourselves back under the law when Jesus died to set us free from the law?
What does it mean to be children of the promise?
What does it mean to you to live free from bondage?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul explains to the Galatians about the difference of living in bondage and being free. Help us to accept the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to keep ourselves out of bondage, and live in grace and faith. Thank You for loving us and giving us this special gift of freedom. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

– This is an excerpt from my book:

Click the link above to get your copy now!

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of …

Daily Bible Reading “Why Live in Bondage” (Galatians 4:1-11)

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Deborah H. Bateman

Why Live in Bondage

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 4:1-11. Paul talks to the churches of Galatia about being heirs of God. What does it mean to be heirs of God? Is being an heir the same as being a child or a servant?

In Greek, Hebrew, and Roman homes, minor children weren’t considered an heir until they became a certain age or until the father decided that they were ready. When the heir was a child, he was no different than a servant, even though he was destined to be an heir. He was still under tutors and authorities until the father’s appointed time when he would adopt him as an heir.

Paul was a Roman and their custom was for the father to decide when the child was mature enough to become an heir. First Corinthians 13:11 says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Paul now compares the child’s bondage to the Christians bondage under the law.

My favorite verses in this Scripture are Galatians 4:4-5. Paul tells them, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem those that are under the law, that we might be adopted as sons. When you become a child of God, God sends the Spirit of His Son, Jesus, into your heart. You are no more a servant, but a child of God and an heir of God through Jesus Christ.

In Romans 8:14-17 the same idea of being freed from bondage and becoming an heir with Christ through the Spirit of adoption is stated:

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Paul asks the Galatians, how was it that when they didn’t know God they served those who weren’t gods. Paul couldn’t understand, after they knew God and His freedom from all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament law, how they could turn back to the bondage of being under the law. Paul asks them, if they desired to be in bondage. He notes how they observe certain days, months, times, and years. Paul says he is afraid he has taught the Galatians to labor in vain.

Christ came to free us from the bondage of the law. These Christians were trying to put themselves back under the law. Paul is asking them, why they would want to be under the law, when Christ died to free them from that bondage.

Do we do that today, instead of living in the mercy and grace of God; do we put ourselves in bondage because of something we’ve done that was against the Law of Moses? If you are in Christ, you’ve been set free from bondage. Live in the freedom of grace and mercy that Jesus Christ died to give you.

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 4:1-11

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Things to think about:

Why do we put ourselves in bondage when we can be free?

What does the bondage of sin do to us?

Since Jesus died to free us from bondage, what do we need to do to accept that freedom?

Have you been adopted into the family of God? If not, what are you waiting for? If yes, share the experience.

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where Paul tells the Galatians that they no longer have to live under the bondage of the law, but as heirs of Christ they can live in grace and mercy. Help us to accept the grace and mercy that You provided for us when You sent Your Son, Jesus, to give His life on the cross for our freedom. Help us not to put ourselves in bondage under the law but to live as children of God, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Verse:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

– Galatians 4:4-5

Christian Music Video:

PS. Thank you for coming to DeborahHBateman.com to study the Bible with us. Come back again tomorrow. Please invite your friends and family to join us for Bible Study.

Featured Book:

By Deborah H. Bateman

Go to: Amazon

Get your copy now!

Subscribe to Deborah H. Bateman to receive
Daily Bible Reading Lessons in your inbox.

Have a blessed day,

Deborah