Spirit Versus Flesh

In one paragraph

This was week three of Tribe's Walking in the Spirit series, preached by Amanda Luck while Pastor Brian was away completing a wilderness first aid course. Amanda walked the congregation through what it actually looks like to live from the flesh rather than the spirit, and why knowing that is essential to walking well in the spirit. Amanda opened by reviewing where the series had been. The first...

Read together

1. Romans 8:6 letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death, but letting the spirit control you leads to life and peace
2. Galatians 5:16 let the holy spirit guide your lives, then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves
3. Colossians 1:9-10 Paul's prayer to fill believers with knowledge of God's will through wisdom the spirit gives, bearing fruit in every good work
4. Galatians 5:19-21 list of works of the flesh including sex sins, witchcraft, hating, arguing, dividing into little groups, wild parties
5. James 4:17 it is a sin to know what you ought to do and not do it
6. Romans 7 Paul saying he does not understand himself, wanting to do right but doing what he hates instead
7. Romans 6 read in full, covering dying to sin through baptism, being no longer slaves to sin, wages of sin is death but free gift of God is eternal life
8. Hebrews 12:1-2 strip off every weight that slows us down, run with endurance, keeping our eyes on Jesus the champion who initiates and perfects our faith
9. John 16:33 attributed as John 6:33 in the transcript, Jesus saying in this life there will be trouble but take heart I have overcome the world

What was said

• Read all of Galatians this week, or at least sit with Romans 6 and let it land slowly rather than skimming past the familiar parts.
• When you sense that still small voice telling you to do something small and specific, just do it right then, even if it feels trivial.
• Pick one person you have been meaning to reach out to and send that text or make that call today, not tomorrow.
• Before you watch, listen to, or spend time with something, ask yourself honestly whether it draws you closer to the Lord or pulls you further away.
• When shame tries to convince you that you are worthless after you mess up, remind yourself of the difference Amanda laid out: the Holy Spirit convicts and extends a hand, the enemy condemns and tells you to give up.

Talk about it

1. Amanda described walking in the flesh as our default, something that happens with zero effort, and compared it to a child denying eating a cookie with chocolate all over their face. Where do you see that kind of effortless drift toward the flesh showing up in your own life?
2. Amanda talked about the still small voice of the Holy Spirit guiding her in small, seemingly insignificant moments, like putting her debit card away. Can you think of a recent moment when you heard that kind of quiet nudge? What did you do with it?
3. The list in Galatians 5 puts things like dividing into little groups and hating alongside more obvious sins like killing. Which items on that list surprised you, and why do you think Paul grouped them together?
4. Amanda drew a distinction between conviction and condemnation, describing the Holy Spirit's voice as one that says 'that is not for you, here is my hand' while the enemy's voice says 'you are worthless and you will do it again.' Have you experienced that difference? How did you tell them apart in the moment?
5. Romans 6 says we are no longer slaves to sin but can become slaves to righteous living. Amanda and Janine both pointed to daily habits, community, gratitude and what we choose to consume as practical ways to walk that out. Which of those feels most urgent or most difficult for you right now, and why?