July 24: Galatians 5 (part 2)

Gal 5:16-18 16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For 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. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Gal 5:16-17 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Live by the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit. Live a life which is guided by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Do not gratify/satisfy/fulfill desires of the carnal self, lust of the flesh, desires of our sinful nature. Remember…lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes. The Spirit's way is not similar to the flesh's way. We cannot follow 2 masters. We either walk according to the Holy Spirit / God's way or according to the ways of our flesh / carnal self / sinful nature. Spirit's way is contrary to the flesh/carnal way. Gal 5:19-21 19The acts of the sinful nature 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. Gal 5:19-21 (NKJV) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Characteristics of the flesh/carnal/sinful way include but not limited to: a) sexual immorality, extra-marital sex, pre-marital sex b) impurity, uncleanness c) debauchery, lewdness d) idolatry e) witchcraft, sorcery f) hatred, discord, contentions, jealousy g) anger, fits of rage, outburst of wrath h) selfish ambition i) dissensions, factions, heresies j) envy, murder k) drunkenness, orgies. Those who live grossly sinful life do not deserve to inherit the kingdom of God, do not deserve to go to heaven. However, if they ask for forgiveness, Christ will forgive, they can still be eligible to go to heaven. This is the irony, as seen by non-believers. Gal 5:22-23a 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Gal 5:22-23a (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Gal 5:22-23 (KJV) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. This is one of my favorite verses. Notice it says "fruit of the Spirit", and NOT "fruits of the Spirit." This means we cannot say "May favorite fruits are joy and peace. I desire to have more of these two" This "fruit tree" produces 9-in-1 fruit. This fruit tree (meaning the Holy Spirit) does NOT produce 9 types of fruit. This 9-in-1 fruit of the Spirit comprises: a) Love, b) Joy, c) Peace, d) Patience (Longsuffering) e) Kindness (Gentleness), f) Goodness, g) Faithfulness (Faith), h) Gentleness (Meekness), and i) Self-Control (Temperance). As we can see it, the first and foremost is Love. Second and third components of the Fruit of the Spirit are Joy and Peace respectively. When there is LOVE, we will be happy and JOYful. With Love and Joy in our hearts, we will experience PEACE in our heart. When we feel at PEACE, we will surely be having more PATIENCE. I don't know how to connect from Patience (LongSuffering). The last but not least is Self-Control. Gal 5:24 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. We Christians ought to have crucified/disregarded our instinct-related sinful self, our passions, and lustful desires. Gal 5:25 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Gal 5:25 (NKJV) 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. If we claim to live in the Spirit, we must also practice the ways of the Spirit. Gal 5:26 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. If we claim to live in the Spirit, we must avoid: a) Becoming proud, arrogant and conceited. b) Provoking one another, backbiting, backstabbing. c) Envying each other. Be satisfied with what we have.