-
Follow the Spirit
- 1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
- 2 Look! I, Paul, tell you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you.
- 3 And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law.
- 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the Law; you have fallen from grace.
- 5 For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.
- 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
- 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
- 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
- 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.
- 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear the punishment, whoever he is.
- 11 But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.
- 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.
- 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
- 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
- 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
- 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.
- 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
- 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,
- 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,
- 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
- 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well.
- 26 Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.