Galatians 4:28–31 (KJV)
“Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”
INTRODUCTION: TWO CHILDREN, TWO REALMS, TWO DESTINIES
In Galatians 4, Paul uses the story of Ishmael and Isaac as a spiritual allegory to help believers understand the nature of their identity in Christ. These are not merely Old Testament characters — they are symbols of two covenants, two ways of living, two spiritual realities:
The child of the bondwoman (Ishmael) — born by human effort, fleshly initiative, and self-solutions. The child of the freewoman (Isaac) — born by promise, by the Spirit, and by divine orchestration.
Every believer must understand the difference between these two realms, because your identity determines your inheritance.
1. ISAAC: THE PATTERN OF EVERY TRUE BELIEVER — “CHILDREN OF PROMISE”
The Bible says:
“Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.”
Isaac was not born by human calculations.
His birth was the result of:
God’s promise God’s timing God’s supernatural power God’s covenant faithfulness
This is the picture of our salvation, our calling, our destiny, and our walk with God.
You were not born again by effort — you were born of the Spirit.
You do not live by luck — you live by promise.
Your life is not a coincidence — it is a covenant.
This is who you are: a child of the freewoman, born into freedom, grace, inheritance, and Spirit-life.
2. ISHMAEL: THE PATTERN OF THE FLESH — “BORN AFTER THE FLESH”
Paul writes:
“He that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit…”
Ishmael represents:
Human attempt to help God Self-effort solutions Fleshly wisdom Religious striving Works without grace Destiny built on impatience Life lived outside divine order
Wherever flesh gives birth to something, it will rise to fight what the Spirit produces.
The flesh always resents the Spirit.
Self-effort always resists grace.
Man-made solutions always challenge God-made promises.
This conflict continues “even so it is now.”
3. THE WARFARE BETWEEN FLESH AND SPIRIT IS A REALITY
Ishmael mocked Isaac (Genesis 21:9).
Likewise, the flesh always mocks the promise.
When you want to obey God fully, flesh fights you. When God calls you into consecration, flesh protests. When you choose purity, prayer, and destiny alignment, flesh rises to distract. When God begins to lift you, flesh-powered voices begin to react.
This is why Paul emphasized:
The persecution of the spiritual by the flesh is not strange — it is scriptural.
You must learn not to interpret fleshly resistance as rejection from God.
It is simply the ancient war of Ishmael against Isaac.
4. THE DIVINE VERDICT: “CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON”
Notice the Scripture does NOT negotiate with the flesh.
“Cast out the bondwoman and her son…”
God did not say manage it, counsel it, or suppress it.
He said CAST IT OUT.
This means:
Disconnect from fleshly habits Shut down patterns that limit your walk with God Remove relationships born of flesh Cut off spiritual compromises Refuse self-made alternatives to God’s will Reject anything that threatens your inheritance in Christ
You cannot walk in your Isaac-destiny while accommodating Ishmael-behaviour.
You cannot inherit with the freewoman while living like the bondwoman.
5. WHY MUST THE BONDWOMAN BE CAST OUT? — “FOR HE SHALL NOT BE HEIR…”
This is the core of Paul’s message:
“…for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
What you tolerate will eventually contend for your inheritance.
The flesh:
Cannot inherit spiritual things Cannot walk in divine destiny Cannot handle the anointing Cannot stand under pressure Cannot produce fruit Cannot walk in freedom Cannot fulfil your prophetic mandate
As long as flesh is tolerated, destiny remains delayed.
As long as Ishmael lives in your tent, Isaac cannot flourish.
This is why God insists:
Break the partnership with flesh or it will disqualify you from your portion.
6. OUR IDENTITY AND OUR FREEDOM
Paul concludes:
“So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”
This is your identity:
You are not a slave — you are free. You are not born of effort — you are born of grace. You are not under law — you are under promise. You are not driven by flesh — you are empowered by the Spirit. You are not an accident of the flesh — you are a product of prophecy.
Your heritage, your future, your anointing, your destiny — all flow from the covenant of freedom, not the bondage of striving.
CONCLUSION: LIVE AS A CHILD OF THE FREEWOMAN
The call of Galatians 4 is simple:
Know who you are Refuse the bondage of flesh Walk in the liberty of the Spirit Guard your inheritance Break every Ishmael pattern Stand firm in the covenant of promise
You are not a slave.
You are not a child of human effort.
You are not a product of fleshly mistakes.
You are a child of promise — walk like it.
The Message Bearer (SmilingPreacher), Cornelius Bella
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