Overcoming the Troublemaker Within (Galatians 5:16-25)
Many believers wrestle with a disconnect between the joy promised in scripture and the reality of their daily struggles. This sermon offers a compassionate look at the internal battle, clarifying why a fulfilling Christian life can feel out of reach.
The sermon addresses the struggle Christians face with consistent defeat by defining the "flesh" as an internal propensity to sin. It offers walking by the Spirit, through persuasion, surrender, and trust, as the path to joy and peace.
Overview
Dr. Stanley opens by sharing his personal struggle with a Christian life that didn't always match scripture, often feeling like a "roller coaster." He realized many believers feel defeated, settling for a life God never intended, because they misunderstand a basic truth about the internal battle they face.
He introduces Galatians 5:13-25, explaining that the greatest "troublemaker" is the "flesh" within us. This "flesh" is not merely physical but refers to our inherited propensity towards sin that remains in us even after salvation. It cannot be cleaned up, changed, or eradicated by human effort, and it affects every aspect of our lives.
The sermon then categorizes the deeds of the flesh into three types: sensual sins (such as immorality, impurity, and gluttony), superstitious sins (including idolatry, defined as anything placed above God, and sorcery), and social sins (like enmities, jealousy, anger, envy, and drunkenness). These are all expressions of hostility toward God and do not fit who believers are in Christ.
The solution, found in Galatians 5:16, is to "walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh." Stanley outlines three essential words for this walk: "persuaded" (that one cannot live the Christian life in their own strength), "surrender" (one's entire self—mind, will, emotions, body, possessions—to the Holy Spirit), and "trust" (that God will enable this walk daily, bringing joy, peace, and self-control).
Key points
- Many Christians experience defeat and inconsistency because they misunderstand the internal battle against the "flesh."
- The "flesh" refers to an inherited propensity towards sin that remains in believers, even after salvation, causing internal conflict.
- The deeds of the flesh are categorized as sensual (e.g., immorality, impurity), superstitious (e.g., idolatry, sorcery), and social (e.g., jealousy, anger, drunkenness).
- These desires and actions are hostile toward God and prevent a joyful, peaceful Christian life.
- The key to overcoming the flesh is to "walk by the Spirit," as promised in Galatians 5:16.
- Walking by the Spirit involves being "persuaded" one cannot live the Christian life in their own strength.
- It also requires "surrendering" one's entire self (mind, will, emotions, body, possessions) to the Holy Spirit and "trusting" Him daily to live a godly life.
In Charles Stanley's words
“Our greatest troublemaker is within us.”
“You can't keep something from hitting your mind. You can determine how long it stays in there and what you do with it.”
Outline
- I. The Problem: A Christian Life of Defeat and Inconsistency
- A. Personal struggle with the Christian life not matching scripture
- B. Many feel defeated, settling for a life God never intended
- C. The burden of Christian life without understanding a basic truth
- II. Defining "The Troublemaker Within Us" (The Flesh)
- A. Scripture: Galatians 5:13-25, especially verse 16
- B. The "flesh" is not skin but a spiritual propensity towards sin, inherited from Adam
- C. It remains in believers and cannot be cleaned up, changed, or eradicated by human effort
- D. It affects every aspect of life (thoughts, feelings, relationships) and leads to disobedience
- III. Categorizing the Deeds of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)
- A. Sensual Sins: Immorality, impurity, sensuality (lustful appetites, gluttony)
- B. Superstitious Sins: Idolatry (anything placed before God), sorcery (witchcraft, occult)
- C. Social Sins: Enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying (desiring what others have), drunkenness, carousing
- IV. The Solution: Walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16)
- A. The promise: "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh."
- B. The Holy Spirit prompts and guides us away from sin
- C. Three essential words for walking in the Spirit:
- 1. Persuaded: Fully convinced you cannot live the Christian life in your own strength
- 2. Surrender: Yield your mind, will, emotions, body, possessions, and abilities completely to the Holy Spirit
- 3. Trust: Believe God will do what He says and enable you to live a godly life daily
- V. Living a Spirit-Filled Life
- A. Daily decision to yield to God's control
- B. Experiencing love, joy, peace, and self-control
- C. Instant forgiveness through the cross when failure occurs, stepping back into relationship with God
Scripture references
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.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Insights
The inner struggle is a shared experience, not a sign of individual failure.
Our inherited nature has a powerful, persistent pull toward sin.
Genuine freedom comes from yielding personal control to the Spirit.
Questions & answers
What is the "troublemaker within us" that Dr. Stanley discusses?
Dr. Stanley defines the "troublemaker within us" as the "flesh," which is our inherited propensity towards sin. This remains in believers after salvation, constantly leaning towards disobedience to God.
How does Dr. Stanley describe the normal Christian life for many people?
He describes it as a "roller coaster" or a "settle-for life," characterized by feeling defeated, doing things they don't want to do, and failing to do what they know is right. This leads to a Christian life that feels like a burden, not a buoyancy.
What are the three categories of "deeds of the flesh" mentioned in the sermon?
The sermon categorizes them as sensual sins (like immorality and impurity), superstitious sins (like idolatry and sorcery), and social sins (like jealousy, anger, and drunkenness).
Can the "flesh" or sin nature be eliminated, according to Dr. Stanley?
No, he states that the "flesh" cannot be cleaned up, changed, washed away, prayed away, or eradicated. It will remain as long as we live in our physical bodies, though its power can be broken by the Holy Spirit.
What three words are central to overcoming the flesh and walking by the Spirit?
The three crucial words are "persuaded" (that you cannot live the Christian life in your own strength), "surrender" (your whole self to the Holy Spirit), and "trust" (that God will enable you to live according to His will).
What does Dr. Stanley say about overcoming temptation when walking by the Spirit?
He says that walking by the Spirit means you "will not carry out the desires of the flesh." While you may still have bad thoughts or be tempted, the Spirit enables you to not fulfill those desires, giving you control over how long a thought stays in your mind and what you do with it.
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Source
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