*Galatians 5:13-26
Paul contrasts living for the flesh with living for the Spirit, urging believers to walk by the Spirit.
- Call to Freedom and Service:
- Paul emphasizes that while believers are called to freedom, this freedom should not serve as an opportunity for self-indulgence but rather for serving one another in love.
- The entire law is fulfilled in the single commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Warning Against Fleshly Desires:
- He warns against the dangers of the flesh, which are in conflict with the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, preventing believers from doing what they want.
- Acts of the flesh are explicitly listed, including sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
- Consequences of Fleshly Behavior:
- Paul starkly warns that those who live by such practices will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Fruit of the Spirit:
- In contrast to the acts of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit is detailed as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- Against such things, there is no law.
- Living by the Spirit:
- Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- Paul exhorts the believers to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, avoiding becoming conceited, provoking one another, or being envious.