IV.
There is no denying that Paul sets up for us a decisive contrast between “Spirit desires” and “desires of the flesh.”

I trust as we spend time listening to Paul, we do so with a discerning spirit that not does not lead us to the characterization of “all flesh is evil.”

I fear some readings of Paul can take us to such a conclusion.

Let’s spend time with Paul and pay attention to how he characterizes “flesh.”

V.
Galatians 5:16-26 (New Revised Standard Version)

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, 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.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

VI.
Paul is helpful in that he offers us some marks of the kind of “flesh” he wants us to give obvious consideration to.

And then he offers some of the characteristics of the “fruit of the Spirit.”

I imagine most of us could find some (most ?) of these “works of the flesh” which are not part of our lives.

But what of “jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy”?

Are any of these ever evident in our lives?

Are any of these evident in our associations with others of our Christian community?

With those we do not count as members of our Christian communities?

How can we encourage one another to move toward living more fully lives characterized by “fruits of the Spirit”?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}