Starve Your Flesh. Feed Your Faith. 7.27.25

Title: Starve Your Flesh. Feed Your Faith.
Main Scriptures: Galatians 5:1-24
Link to full Sermon: (click here)

Starve Your Flesh. Feed Your Faith.

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to do more. But in our walk with Jesus, more activity doesn’t always equal more intimacy. Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 that we’re not called to strive our way into spiritual growth—we’re called to walk in the Spirit. And that kind of life starts with surrender, not performance.

So how do we live that out? Here are four truths to help us starve our flesh and feed our faith:

1. Stop Striving—Start Abiding

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…” — Galatians 5:1

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we earn God’s love by doing more. But the gospel isn’t about working harder—it’s about walking closer. Martha was busy serving, while Mary simply sat at the feet of Jesus. Jesus didn’t criticize Martha for working—He invited her to choose what was better.

Abiding always comes before producing. When you spend time with Jesus, everything else flows out of that.

2. Choose the Right Yoke

“Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1

There are two yokes you can carry:

• The yoke of performance and pressure
• The yoke of grace and freedom

Only one leads to life.

We were never meant to carry the weight of earning God’s approval. If your Christian life feels heavy, exhausting, or full of shame—check which yoke you're wearing. Jesus didn’t call you to prove yourself. He called you to follow Him.

3. Walk by the Spirit, Not the Flesh

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16

You don’t drift into holiness. You don’t stumble into spiritual growth. You walk into it—step by step, day by day, by staying close to the Spirit of God.

And here’s the key: what you feed will grow.

• If you feed your flesh—bitterness, temptation, busyness—you’ll grow tired and distant.
• But if you feed your faith—through Scripture, prayer, fasting—you’ll grow strong, steady, and free.

4. Don’t Chase the Fruit—Stay Rooted

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22–23

Paul doesn’t say “the goal of the Spirit” is fruit. He says “the fruit of the Spirit”. It’s what naturally grows when we stay connected to Jesus. Like a tree producing apples, the fruit doesn’t come from effort—it comes from health and time.

If you’re not seeing love, joy, or patience in your life, the answer isn’t to try harder—it’s to press in deeper. Get rooted in God’s Word. Stay consistent in prayer. Fast. Surrender. Trust. The fruit will come.

This Fall, Don’t Just Get Busy—Get Ready
This next season will come with new opportunities and new challenges. But the way we prepare isn’t through performance—it’s through presence. Let’s be a church that doesn’t just do things for Jesus, but walks closely with Him.

So this week, when frustration rises or temptation shows up, remember:

Starve the flesh. Feed your faith.

You never know who’s watching, or how God might use your faithfulness.