“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 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
Let me put write in down in a way that is easier for you to distinguish between them. These are signs/behaviors that are rooted in devilish doctrine.
1. Hatred
2. Discord
3. Sexual immorality
4. Jealousy
5. Fits of rage
6. Impurity and debauchery
7. Dissension
8. Factions
9. Envy
10. Conceit
The following are acts/behaviors rooted in God’s love… through the Holy Spirit of the Lord.
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control
The great Christian writer, C.S. Lewis, once wrote in one of his most eloquent books… the Screwtape Letters, “the safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
A little bit of sexual immorality is sexual immorality. A bit of envy is still envy. Lack of self control isn’t a controlled behavior, if it is done 85% of the time. Compromises start occurring! the enemy takes over from there.
Remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount. “By their fruits, you will know them, or how it is put in Matthew.
“By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:-6-20.
Being a soldier for God requires sacrifices and giving up much of the mundane. Just realize this… You are either with God or against Him. if you are not with the Lord…
Which camp are you a part of? Reflect.