Galatians 5:13-26

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1. Breath Prayers

Take slow, deep breaths. As you breathe in, name one of God’s characteristics or names. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Infinite Unique Great Before all things I AM
Unchanging Joy Love Self-sufficient Wise
Good The God Who Sees Blessed Wonderful Counselor Mercy
Friend of Sinners All-powerful Creator Emmanuel All-knowing
Gracious Trustworthy Keeps his promises Omnipresent Ancient of Days
Comforter Everlasting Father Perfect True Faithful
Father Kind Forgiving Redeemer Just
Righteous Judge Compassionate Generous Giver
Healer Sovereign Glorious Beautiful Provider
Alpha & Omega Holy Peace Messiah Happy
Guide Pursuer Grace Shepherd Lamb

Infinite	Unique	Great
Before all things I AM	Unchanging	Joy
Love	Self-sufficient	Wise
Good	The God Who Sees	Blessed
Wonderful Counselor	Mercy	Friend of Sinners
All-powerful Creator	Emmanuel	All-knowing
Gracious	Trustworthy	Keeps his promises
Omnipresent	Ancient of Days	Comforter
Everlasting	Father	Perfect
True	Faithful	Kind

2. Examen

What am I especially grateful for in the past day?
I am about to review the past day, I ask for God’s light to know myself and see myself as God sees me.
Where have I felt true joy?
What has troubled me?
What has challenged me?
Where and when did I pause?
Where have I noticed God’s presence in all this?
In light of this review, what is my response to God?
As I look ahead towards the day ahead of me, what comes to mind?
With what spirit do I want to enter this day ahead of me?

3. The Word

Read the passage slowly and carefully. Let your eyes linger on words or phrases that stand out. Don’t rush through the passage.

4. Understand and Apply

What is Christian freedom for? What is it not for?
What is the chief aim of the Torah (v. 14)? What makes it possible for us to fulfill this main intention?
What does this passage tell us about the struggle going on in the hearts of believers?
What are the consequences of following the flesh? What are the consequences of following the Spirit?
Which of the fruits of the flesh do you see in your own life? Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you see in your own life?
What would you like to do as a result of reading this passage?

5. Resolve

By God’s strength, resolve to change, and ask God to help you with this.

Life by the Spirit

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[ ]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[ ] ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[ ] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.
5:14 Lev. 19:18
5:17 Or you do not do what

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