So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery: idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and 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.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. -Galatians 5:16-26
Ask yourself, what list are you in? God said, "Everyone should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load......The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life!
Whoa! I was looking pretty good when reading the acts of a sinful nature, but still fell a bit short when applying the fruits of the Spirit to my life. So where does that put those of us, that although we are not of this world, we haven't been able to give the Spirt control over our lives? Good, honest people, yet not GODLY people. It's like we're in a state of void.
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