Galatians 5:16-26 (NRSV)
Read Galatians 5:16-26 on biblegateway.com
Verse 16Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Verse 17For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. Verse 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Verse 19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Verse 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, Verse 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, Verse 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Verse 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Verse 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Verse 26Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Devotion
Christians should, according to Paul, live by the Spirit, not the flesh. This does not mean that human bodies are to be disdained and anything that brings pleasure should be avoided. After all, God created us the way we are, in God’s image. Rather Paul uses these categories of flesh and Spirit to distinguish between attitudes and behaviors that are inspired by God’s Spirit and those that arise from our own self-centeredness. God
Prayer
Almighty, fill us with your Spirit. May our life be inspired by your wishes and not only our own. Amen.