Don’t Indulge the Old Nature – Galatians 5:13-24
5 (13) You were called for freedom, brothers, only do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the sinful nature to express itself; rather, serve one another with love—(14) for the whole law is fulfilled in one commandment, namely this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (15) But if you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
(16) Now I tell you, walk by the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the sinful nature. (17) The sinful nature* lusts for what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature,* for they are in conflict with one another; consequently, you cannot do the things you desire. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (19) Now the works of the sinful nature* are well known, such as: sexual immorality, moral impurity, debauchery, (20) idolatry, witchcraft, hatreds, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, (21) envy, drunkenness, orgies, and other such things. I warn you again, just as I previously warned you, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, integrity, (23) meekness, self-control. Against such things as these there is no law. (24) Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature* along with its passions and lusts.
*Literally, “the flesh”
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
