Isn't it true that we almost always want what we can't have? Well the same is to be said of our faith. It is easy to look at sinners-- those who do not know Jesus-- and be envious of their lifestyle. Our flesh gravitates towards the things of the world, while our Spirit gravitates towards the things beyond this world.
There is a constant battle going on between our flesh and our Spirit, but remember the reason that you followed Jesus. It was not because of what you would "lose" but rather what you would gain! With Jesus we have the fullness of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 if we so choose. We decide whether we follow our flesh or follow our Spirits.
What you feed is what grows in your life. If you feed your flesh, you will reap the consequences that come alongside that. Likewise, if you feed your Spirit you will reap a harvest that gives you a preview of Heaven on earth. Do not be envious of sinners who reap death by their decisions, but always remember that you have the choice between your flesh and your Spirit. Which are you feeding?
Proverbs 23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. (HCSB)
Proverbs 24:1 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them (ESV)
Galatians 5:16-26 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 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. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 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.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (NLT)
There is a constant battle going on between our flesh and our Spirit, but remember the reason that you followed Jesus. It was not because of what you would "lose" but rather what you would gain! With Jesus we have the fullness of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 if we so choose. We decide whether we follow our flesh or follow our Spirits.
What you feed is what grows in your life. If you feed your flesh, you will reap the consequences that come alongside that. Likewise, if you feed your Spirit you will reap a harvest that gives you a preview of Heaven on earth. Do not be envious of sinners who reap death by their decisions, but always remember that you have the choice between your flesh and your Spirit. Which are you feeding?
Proverbs 23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. (HCSB)
Proverbs 24:1 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them (ESV)
Galatians 5:16-26 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 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. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 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.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. (NLT)
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