16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whateverc you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5)
Thoughts: There is living for the temporary and there is living for the eternal. There is living for the body (flesh) and living for the spirit. You can live like an animal, or you can live for God. The person who has the Spirit of Christ in them- cannot continually live for the things of this world. They would be like a fish out of water.
What are the things of this world? They fall into categories of immorality (sexual, drunkeness, orgies), evil emotions (hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy), and false worship (idolatry and witchcraft). People who do not seek or listen to the Spirit of God pursue such things- and move away from heaven and God.
What are the things of this world? They fall into categories of immorality (sexual, drunkeness, orgies), evil emotions (hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy), and false worship (idolatry and witchcraft). People who do not seek or listen to the Spirit of God pursue such things- and move away from heaven and God.
But there is a fruit of the Spirit- that shows a different way of life. The Christian virues stand in contrast. Hate vs. love; witchcraft vs. joy; hatred vs. peace; patience vs. fits of rage, etc. The way of God is different from the ways of the world. The world's ways make sense. The world's ways fit in well with our animal instincts. But the Spirit's way is a way of faith- that by its nature does not make worldly sense. Selfishness is common- universal- usual; but selflessness is not. The word "holy" applies not only to the Spirit but living for the Spirit. Today, live for the Spirit of the Creator. It is a better way.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to liv e for you.
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