Galatians 5:13–26

¹³You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. ¹⁴All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ¹⁵But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other. 

¹⁶Let me explain further. Live your life as your spiritual nature directs you. Then you will never follow through on what your corrupt nature wants. ¹⁷What your corrupt nature wants is contrary to what your spiritual nature wants, and what your spiritual nature wants is contrary to what your corrupt nature wants. They are opposed to each other. As a result, you don’t always do what you intend to do. ¹⁸If your spiritual nature is your guide, you are not subject to Moses’ laws. 

¹⁹Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, ²⁰idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, ²¹envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit God’s kingdom. 

²²But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. ²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. ²⁶We can’t allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.