Where did the Galatians' persuasion to return to legalism come from?
The persuasion to return to legalism did not come from the Holy Spirit who brought the Galatians out of paganism. It came from the same evil spirit—Satan—that had held them in paganism until the Gospel freed them. Paul states this persuasion does not come from the One calling them.
Les explains that this persuasion to go back under legalism did not come from the Holy Spirit who brought them out of paganism, but from the same evil spirit that held them in paganism until the Gospel freed them. He emphasizes that Satan never gives up. Les also notes that Satan will use good things, and it can still be the evil spirit rather than the Holy Spirit speaking. Further, Les points to the constant warfare for every believer between the two natures—the new nature driven by the Holy Spirit and the old nature rooted in the Satanic powers of the curse. Among believers, the spirit taking them back into a false gospel is not the same Spirit that brought them out; it is the opposite. Les then cites Galatians verse 8: “and this persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.”
This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
More Questions
Where does the persuasion to come away from Paul's gospel of grace come from?
The 'persuasion' Paul speaks of — coming away from Paul's Gospel of Grace — does not come from the One who called the Galatians.