16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
9 comments:
So true. Not only do we have the battle of good and evil all around us, but it is also inside of us. So, what we have is 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Can I get an AMEN,
cas
AMEN on that cas! Such as list, but knowing that these are common struggles and that God has our back is encouraging. Bring on the fruit!
tba
I am praying that I will stay closer to the Lord so thesew fruits will be how I am characterized....especially around the house with my family.
could meditate on the fruits all day - really, kind of need to so that the true meaning of each sinks in.
AMEN, CAS,
TBA, I agree about God having our back! Who better?
Let's pray for each other this week. I'll do the same.
Anybody taking the Philippians 2 Memory challenge?
I struggle with this all the time. It is refreshing to know that God is always there to lean on. I do say amen to all of you.
Count me among the strugglers! Praise God for having my back, but Lord help me to honor you with every moment of my life. Fruit is good!
More spirit, less me. Hmmmmm. Isn't that what John the Baptist shouted..."He must increase, I must decrease!"
Lord, that we would see in You the life and source of all that is valuable and truly satisfying.
Praying for all of us this week.
It's such a comfort knowing that God has my back. Yet at the same time I have to focus and make the conscious decision to allow the Holy Spirit to fill me and for this I pray for I certainly struggle with it.
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