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In these words observe —

(1) A duty enforced;

(2) The consequent and fruit of it.

1. The duty is to walk in the Spirit, which is the sum of all Christian piety.

2. The motive is taken from the consequent and fruit of it: "and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Let us fix the sense.

1. For the duty, "to walk in the Spirit." Walking implieth the tenor and course of our actions, in all which we should follow the direction and inclination of the Spirit. Therefore by flesh and spirit is meant the old man and the new, and so by spirit is meant the renewed part, or the new man of grace in the heart (John 3:6, "That which is born of the Spirit is spirit"); that is, there is a work of saving grace wrought in our hearts by the Spirit of God, which new nature hath its motions and inclinations which must be obeyed and followed by us. And by flesh, is meant inbred corruption, or the old man, which is "corrupt, with his deceivable lusts" (Ephesians 4:22). Now, then, you see what it is to walk after the Spirit, to direct and order our actions according to the inclinations of the new nature.

2. For the consequent fruit of it: "and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." Here two things must be explained: —

(1)  The lust of the flesh.

(2)  Fulfil.

1. "The lust of the flesh." By it is meant the inordinate motions of corrupt nature. The flesh doth not consider what is right and good, but what is pleasing to the senses, and craveth their satisfaction with much importunity and earnestness, to the wrong of God and our own souls; especially in youth, when the senses are in vigour, and lust and appetite in their strength and fury.

2. Ye shall not fulfil; that is, accomplish and bring into complete act, especially with deliberation and consent. Mark, he cloth not say that the lusting of corrupt nature shall be totally suppressed, but it shall not be fulfilled. The best of God's children feel the motions of the flesh, but they do not cherish and obey them. The lusts of the flesh may be said to be fulfilled two ways —

(1) When the outward act is accomplished, or "when lust hath conceived and brought forth (actual) sin" (James 1:15).

(2) When for a continuance we obey the flesh, usually accomplish its motions without let and restraint, and with love, pleasure, and full consent of will; this is proper to the unregenerate. The flesh doth reign over them as its slaves; this is spoken of (Romans 6:12), "Let not sin reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof." Let it not have a power over you as slaves. The doctrine, then, is this: That the more Christians set themselves to obey the new nature, the more is the power of inbred corruption mortified and kept under.To understand this point, let me lay down these propositions.

1. That there is a diversity of principles in a Christian — flesh and spirit.

2. That there is a liberty in a Christian of walking according to each principle, either the spirit or the flesh.

Application:

1. It showeth what necessity there is that we should look after conversion to God, or a work of grace wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, for the apostle supposeth they had the Spirit. There is no walking without living, for otherwise our motions are but the motions of puppets, not proceeding from internal life, but acted from springs and engines; no subduing the flesh without setting up an opposite principle.

2. Being renewed by the Holy Ghost, that is, having our minds enlightened and hearts inclined, we must obey this inclination; for life is not given us that we may have it, but that we may act by it, and do things suitable to that life which we have. Grace is not a sluggish, idle quality, but is always working and warring on the opposite principle.

3. Though at first we are pestered and encountered with the lusts of the flesh, which divert us from God and heavenly things, yet we should not be discouraged by every difficulty; for difficulties do but inflame a resolved spirit, as stirring doth the fire.

4. The carnal life is not of one sort. Some wallow in sensual pleasures, others have head and heart altogether taken up with the world and worldly things. Now if God hath put a new bias upon our wills and affections, we must show it forth by a heavenly conversation; for they that mind earthly things are carnal, and the great inclination of the new nature is to carry us unto God and the things of another world (2 Corinthians 5:5).

5. They are much to blame that complain of sin, and will not take the course to get rid of it by obeying the instincts of the Holy Ghost, or the motions of the new nature. The Lord's spirit is a "free spirit" (Psalm 51:12.), and His "truth maketh us free" (John 8:32).

6. How much we are concerned in all conflicts, especially in those which allow deliberation, to take part with the Spirit, and obey His motions rather than to fulfil the lusts of the flesh: otherwise, by consent and upon deliberation, you are unfaithful to Christ and your own souls. Your business is not to gratify the flesh, but to crucify it, to overrule sense and appetite, and cherish the life of grace (Galatians 5:24).

7. It is of great use and profit to us to observe which principle decayeth, the flesh or the Spirit; for thereby we judge of our condition, both in order to mortification and comfort.The increase of the flesh may be known —

1. By your backwardness to God. Grace is clogged when you cannot serve Him with sweetness and delight (Romans 7:18).

2. When the heart groweth careless of heaven, and your life and love is more taken up about things present than things to come.On the other hand, the prevalency and increase of the Spirit is known —

1. By a humble contentedness and indifference to plenty, pleasures, and honours.

2. When your delight in God, heaven, and holiness is still kept up.

3. When the heart is kept in a preparation for the duties of your heavenly calling.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

WEB: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won't fulfill the lust of the flesh.