Freedom is a main theme of the book of Galatians. We have freedom not to sin, as vs. 16 of the text says, “You shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” We have freedom to serve, as vs. 13, says “By love serve one another, and as vs. 14 says, “We have the freedom to keep the law of love, the whole law is fulfilled, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” With all of this freedom though, why is it that we continually see ourselves coming up short in these areas and continually falling?
As long as we live we will be continually pulled by the body of death (the flesh) and the Spirit; there is a battle taking place which will continue throughout your Christian life. Be encouraged, for when you are most aware of sin is when the Holy Spirit is most active in you. Your struggle with sin is a mark of your genuine Christian faith. The question to ask yourself is found in vs. 17, “And these are contrary one to another, so that you cannot do the things that ye would. Is the desire there to do the things that you would? This then I say then,” walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
