Late in the evenings I would talk with my Dad while growing up. Oftentimes I would get stuck figuring out what the Scriptures were pointing toward. I was a girl and didn’t know much about the world yet. One night I asked Dad about John the Baptist calling folks to repent of their sins. “What sins are we talking about, Dad?” I asked. Dad replied, “Many are saved from sin by being so inept at it.” We had some good times laughing together.
As Apostle Paul writes chapter 5 in Galatians he makes sin clear to them in order to illuminate the opposite, the Fruits of the Spirit. For instance, Enmity is a sin— you hate someone because they hate you. From this comes the popular saying: Hate the sin and love the sinner. Added to this is Jesus’ instruction to turn the other cheek— respond to others with genuine kindness, even when someone is being their worst self.
Live guided constantly by Holy Spirit and not your sinful nature. One’s sinful nature wants the opposite of Holy Spirit has for you, guides you to, and reveals to you. Holy Spirit’s alive Presence within you is in contradiction with your sinful nature. Stay focused on Holy Spirit continually and you will successfully squash your sinful nature.
Also, there is one more thing. This is most important. As respect sin including those sins on the list, vs. 19-21, Paul firmly cautions: ‘I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.‘ (v.21) We are clear about that!
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, (other ancient authorities add murder here), drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-21
