The Spirit and the flesh are diametrically opposed to one another.
The Spirit of God works in our lives to conform us to Christ, which is our highest joy. The flesh refers to our natural, sinful nature. It constantly tempts us to gratify the flesh through selfish, sinful indulgence.
If you walk in the Spirit, that is, if you live life dependent on and obedient to the Spirit, you will resist the flesh. If you walk in the flesh, you will resist the Spirit.
The desires of the Spirit are entirely different than the desires of the flesh.
The works of the flesh are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The one who lives in the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The one who produces the fruit of the Spirit belongs to Christ.
The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are identifiers. The one in which you live reveals whether or not you truly believe in Christ. You cannot dwell in the flesh as a believer! That does not mean you will not sin as a believer. Paul knows that believers sin that is why he said, “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” There is a difference though between a believer sinning and an unbeliever dwelling in a lifestyle of sin with no desire whatsoever to leave his sin! One who has the Spirit cannot and will not live that way!
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