Discuss Galatians 5 Page 7

I came across this link on the Web site about "race mixing": Link. The Bible does not forbid different ethnic groups to marry. God forbade and forbids the saved to marry the unsaved. Deuteronomy Chapter 7:3-4: "4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly."

Other verses included on the page don't even pertain to ethnic groups. They pertain to sexual immorality, heterosexual marriage, an illegitimate person, The Creation, saved people's unity in God, and a saved person's identity in Jesus Christ. You also include Acts 17:26 ("one blood"), which also has nothing to do with so-called separation of so-called races.

Your list twists scriptures to promote the lies told by Whites who that helped to justify chattel slavery, lynching of Black Americans, legalized segregation and prejudice, racism, and ethnic discrimination of Black people and persons of other ethnic groups. Also see From Indentured Servitude to Racial Slavery, PBS, and Laws that banned mixed marriages (May 2010), Ferris State University; You Tube video, One Race - Ken Ham Video Teaching January 19, 2022 - Ken Ham also explains the connection between evolution and racism and the curse of Canaan (not Ham); and Answers in Genesis book, One Race One Blood. You can also read the chapters online free.

It is a great disappointment to see that once again, people are using the Bible to justify the sins of pride and hatred. Which ethnic group or groups are superior to all other ethnic groups? According to Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 no ethnic group is superior. This list is against God's holy word and comes from the flesh and Satan. We need to read the Word of God in context and not use God's Word to justify the sins of pride, variance, and hatred ( Galatians 5:19-20 and Proverbs 16:5). 1 John 2:16; 1 Corinthians 7:39.

I will comment on versus 19-21; we are warned by the Apostle Paul in these versus that if Christians live an ungodly lifestyle, they will not inherit the kingdom of God. In order to understand the warning we must first understand the difference between entering the first dispensation of the kingdom of God, and inheriting the second dispensation of the kingdom of God. All Christians, upon being born again enter the kingdom of God, as in John 3:5 & Colossians 1:13 The Lord Jesus taught during this first dispensation of the kingdom of God, it is within the heart of all believers. Luke 17:20-21 We got into the kingdom of God by unconditional promises, through faith without works, as part of the foundation that Christ Jesus laid. Yet when we speak about inheriting the kingdom, we cannot talk about this first dispensation of the kingdom of God at all, seeing the word used here is inheriting, meaning, the Apostle Paul is referring unto the second dispensation of the kingdom of God, known as the millennial kingdom. Not all Christians will make it into this kingdom, although they will all go to heaven, yet to make it into the kingdom of heaven, it is not a free gift, rather you must earn entrance by meeting conditional promises, as in Matthew 7:21 and as in Acts 14:22 and as in Matthew 3:5 and Matthew 3:10 All of which speak of entering the millennial kingdom of heaven by faith with works, as you meet the conditions spoken of in those chapter versus. On the other hand, if a Christian lives an immoral lifestyle, as mentioned here in these seventeen sins, he is denied entrance into the millennial kingdom of God, and will remain in heaven until the thousand year kingdom is over.

Hi Alex N. In your response to conditional promises, you wrote about the kingdom of God, as though all Christians already have this in them, I should clarify this statement therefore to you, the first dispensation of the kingdom of heaven is inwardly, it lasts for 2,000 years, from the time the Lord Jesus died until he returns, according to the Lord Jesus in Luke 17:20-21 all Christians have the kingdom of God in their heart, this is also taught in John 3:5, all Christians enter the kingdom of God when they are born again, The Apostle Paul affirms this truth in Colossians 1:13, however, this is not what I was speaking about in conditional promises, I spoke about the millennial kingdom of God, which has not happened yet, no Christian has entered this yet, all scriptures place conditions upon entering that kingdom of God. I will say this, we made it into the first dispensation of the kingdom by faith without works, but to make it into the millennial kingdom, it is by faith with works. Please read Matthew 7:21 only if a Christian does the will of God can he make it in, this is a condition attached to making it in the kingdom. Read Matthew 25:14-30 unless you used your talents you cannot make it into the joy of the Lord, being the millennial kingdom, again a conditional promise to get it, or read Acts 14:22 as we must suffer much tribulation in order to make it into the kingdom, another conditional attached to making it into the millennial kingdom of heaven. Again read the warnings of why Christians will not make it into that millennial kingdom in 1 Cor. 6:9-10 & Galatians 5:19-21 & Ephesians 5:3-5 as a result of living a godless lifestyle, you lose your inheritance of entering into the millennial kingdom of God, in order to rule and reign for a thousand years. As concerning your topic of the man child teaching us all things, that prophecy is for the coming of Elijah in Malachi 4:5-6 it is not the ministry of the man child. I hope this explains conditional promises.

I will speak of versus 19-21;

Here the apostle Paul gives warning unto all Christians concerning the millennial kingdom, he warns if Christians live an ungodly lifestyle of immorality in these seventeen sins or the like, they cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This warning is specifically speaking about not inheriting a kingdom, it is not speaking of Christians who live immoral lifestyles cannot go to heaven. The Kingdom of God is based upon conditional promises, Christians must qualify in order for them to make it into the millennial kingdom of God, otherwise they will remain in heaven until the thousand year kingdom has expired before being resurrected. The Apostle Paul gives this same warning in 1 Cor. 6:9-10 and Ephesians 5:3-5 Even the Lord Jesus taught conditional promises must be met before a Christian is counted worthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 7:21 The Lord Jesus taught if we bury our pounds we are denied entrance into the Millennial kingdom of Christ, as we must meet the conditions to qualify us. Luke 19:12-27 Again, the Apostle Paul taught conditional promises are required to make it into the millennial kingdom, as we must through much tribulation enter that kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

Hi Rod;

I read what you wrote and questions have arisen from your thoughts, you stated the Old Testament was not destroyed based upon Ephesians 2:14-16 and Colossians 2:14-15, I think you should re=read those scriptures again and pray over them for meaning, also, if the Old Testament is not destroyed can you obey even one Old Testament law today? Knowing if you do, you are cursed as a Christians to obey all 613 laws from the Old Testament. Galatians 3:10 Then you said I should read Hebrews 9:11-14 stating the ordinances are no longer of value because of the blood of Christ, I do not think these verses are teaching what you are implying at all, as this is about the blood of Christ cleaning our conscience, not about him removing the Old Testament by his blood. You then went on to talk about the Ten Commandments in stone from Matthew 5:18 and then you quoted it again from Galatians 5:14, I will ask this question, do you know the difference between the old covenant and the Old Testament? By your thoughts it appears you think they are the same thing, otherwise why mention the Law of God, when I was talking about the Old Testament being destroyed? The Ten Commandments in stone is the old covenant, it is not a testament, please do not confuse them, they must be kept separate, as the old covenant was replaced with the new covenant, meaning the Ten Commandments in the heart. Hebrews 8:6-7 But the Old Testament was not replaced it was destroyed.

Hi Rick Mentzer;

It is true when you say today we give from the heart, but this is not the case when you are being told Malachi 3:8-10 God will curse you if you do not tithe. Why do people not understand that in Malachi, God wanted meat in his house, not money, as Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy all testify that tithing has nothing to do with money, it is always about fruits, vegetables and animals, and a man must eat his tithe with his wife, children, slaves, and a Levitical priest, once every year. The freedom you spoke of is an illusion for many who do not know the bible, that tithing was for Israel alone, and it was destroyed with all the other laws of Moses from the Old Testament. Now do I really care about tithing, no, I care about people not obeying one Old Testament law, otherwise they will be cursed to obey all the 613 laws from the Old Testament. Galatians 3:10 % Galatians 5:1-4

I've posted this previously,

In the Gospels, Jesus quotes the old testament many times and how in his coming the old testament is fulfilled,

in Colossians 2:14-15 Jesus is talking about blotting out the handwriting of ordinances, not the laws. Hebrews 9:11-14 explains why the ordinances are no longer necessary, because of the blood of Christ,

Rather he exemplifies the laws as in Matthew 5:18-45, 18-"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Romans 3:31 "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Galatians 5:14-23 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 22&23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," "Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Connie L Brundage Another added point on faith without works is dead. When we are born again confess Romans

10:9+10 and believe in our hearts what we confess then we receive Holy spirit which Galatians 3:22 describes as the

faith of Jesus Christ which is the bridge that spanned the gap between natural man and God. This his gift that being

said we do the work of action on Gods word in our lifestyles as Jesse shared a bit to produce the affects of the gift

on our personal lives. Fruit of he spirit Galatians 5:22 these are products that start appearing in our lives as a result

of changing out lifestyles to spiritual thinking Gods revealed word. some of those thoughts Philippians 4:6-9, Eph. 5:1

+2, Eph.4:21-32 their are many of these then you have lots of examples in the gospels. Good Stuff.

In the Gospels, Jesus quotes the old testament many times and how in his coming the old testament is fulfilled,

In the two verses you quoted, as in Colossians 2:14-15 Jesus is talking about blotting out the handwriting of ordinances, not the laws. Hebrews 9:11-14 explains why the ordinances are no longer necessary, because of the blood of Christ,

Rather he exemplifies the laws as in Matthew 5:21-45, 18-"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Galatians 5:14-23 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 22&23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," "Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

I desire to comment on verse four alone, when God swore, he made a promise, that the Lord Jesus Christ would be a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek. From this promise we understand that the whole Old Testament is of no longer any value to Christianity, why, due to the fact it remains under the priesthood of Levi, knowing Christ was not from that tribe, but from the tribe of Judah. Therefore he cannot go under the Old Testament law as a priest to help anyone, thus, the Apostle Paul concludes; Galatians 5:1-4 if you obey even one Old Testament law, Christ will profit you nothing, you are fallen from grace, being cursed to obey all the Old Testament law because you obeyed one, Old Testament law. Galatians 3:10 As Christians we should also know that the Muslim religion is false, based upon God never repenting of the Melchizedek priesthood given unto the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that Islam is build upon Old Testament laws from the priesthood of Levy, so with affirmation, and without doubt we can stand boldly and testify God is not a double minded person.

Valerie

That is a good question.

These text you reference gives an answer:

...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

If you go on to read the remainder of the chapter, Paul gives us examples of what we ought to think and do that is according to God's will.

So, for me, I would endeavor to follow those instructions along with those in the remaining chapters of Romans.

In Galatians 5:16-26,Paul talks about what walking in the Spirit means. Philippians 4:8 tells us what things our mind should focus on.

But really, Valerie, no one can have the mind of Christ without being converted and having the Holy Spirit dwelling within the believer. So, believing the gospel, repenting of one's sinfulness, putting one's faith in Jesus and His work if salvation for us are necessary as a first thing.

When one is thus converted, God'd Spirit in dwells a new believer, as this Spirit really does the work of conversion and we respond to this work in faith supplied by grace through the Spirit.

After conversion, one will begin to grow in one's faith as the Spirit guides and causes growth and spiritual knowledge to come to a new believer. This growth happens continually throughout the believers life as one yields to the work of the Spirit within.

So, Valerie the more we yield to the Spirit, he will conform us to imitate Christ through the intake of His holy word enlivened in us by the Spirit.

Separating our affection from the things of the world happens but by bit, as we relinquish our love for worldly ideas, things, and practices and replace these with godliness that grace supplies.

Hope this helps.

You will probably get many good replies, as Rick already has done. Prayerfully seek

What the Lord would have. You do In response to the Scriptures offered here.

There is many one could quote these are but a few.

Matthew 5:3-15, Matthew 18:3-5, Matthew 22:37-40, Philippians 2:2-10, Galatians 5:16-26

I like to answer biblical questions mostly with Scripture because I believe The HOLY Spirit will teach us.

This full thought of the scriptures you want clarity on : Acts 10:26-46, starts in Acts 10:10-15, with the vision.

Acts 10:28 , I believe Peter was referring to Leviticus 10:10-11, Old Testament Law,

Acts 10:26, Peter didn't want Cornelius to worship him, or reverence him that way, he corrected him.

Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3:21-22, Luke 4:14-15,

Mark 16:6-17, New tongues, Jesus risen from the (grave), ate with them,

Acts 7:8, promise of Covenant, circumcision ; Genesis 17:10, Romans 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 7:18,19, Galatians 5:6, Colossians 3:11,

Hopefully these are all helpful & pray for understanding

Precious friend, Since JESUS Is our 'Reality' Of REST, we can now do that 24/7. Thus no need to get 'entangled in the legalism' of "keeping (the 'shadow' of) the sabbath." As Paul Clearly Teaches us, from God:

"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Colossians 2:16-17

+

We Now "fulfill All the law, In ONE WORD: LOVE thy neighbor as thyself" Galatians 5:14 Romans 13:8-10

Please Be Richly Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, and Edified!

2 Timothy 2:15 Romans 16:25 Ephesians 3:9 = Grace/Mystery fellowship {Romans - Philemon}, For ALL "to SEE," today,?

God's 'Simple' Will: Link

The only Apostles we're Jesus Disciples and Paul. They had seen the Resurrected Jesus with their own eyes.

People wrongly feel a need to promote themselves without checking the Bible first. Don't go to that Church.

Here are the scriptures I found concerning dead, in regards to The church.

John 5:19-21,

Early church was instructed

Matthew 10:8, Matthew 10:1-42,

Matthew 8:22, Mark 16:17-18,

Leviticus 21:1-4,

Leviticus 21:10-12,

Numbers 5:1-3, Numbers 19:11-22

Perhaps tradition started after early church hoping for miracle? Mark 7:6-9,

Scripture concerning Apostles :

Romans 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1Peter 1:1, 2Timothy 1:1, Galatians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 12:12,

* 1 Corinthians 12:27-28, 1 Corinthians 12, in context*

Additional Matthew 23:8-12, Matthew 23, in context

Hopefully these are helpful

Victor,

That is a good questions about funerals. If you are familiar with Scriptures, funerals were the norm throughout the Bible and history. A funeral gives a sense of closure and a last goodbye to the lost loved one. For a believer, it is an opportunity to have your last wishes be that the good news of Jesus be preached at your funeral and that God is praised for what he has done in one''s life. I have been thinking about planning my own funeral service and putting it with my will. Thanks for the reminder!

On your other question, concerning apostles, some today believe that the office of apostle is active in today's times. But as a whole, many Christians believe that the office of an apostle ended in the first century, as an apostle needed to be an eye-witness of Jesus, and thus a contemporary and thus one who lived in Judea and knew Jesus, bring a disciple.

Myself, I believe that mainstream view that the office of apostles ceased when the original apostles died in the first century after Jesus' death. So, I do not listen to people who claim to be an apostle in our times.

Hi "Failure". The Scriptures are clear about believers in Christ no longer walking in the lusts of the flesh but walking (receptive, in harmony) with the Spirit in you ( Galatians 5:16,17: "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would"; Romans 8:13,14).

When we live in the flesh, i.e. leading lives that are habitually given over to sin, unconcerned about dealing with it by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we would be right in questioning the genuineness of our faith & love for God. But the battle is always on: the lusts of the flesh vs the desires to live to please God. When we're fully convinced that we'd rather live for God & not for sin & seeking the help & power of the Spirit, then His Power will be greater than our weakness. The fact that we do sin now, is simply because we enjoy the sin or want to pursue it. If we remain guarded, very rarely will sin overtake us suddenly, especially in the more overt sins that involve others. Even drunkenness, gluttony, gossip, lying, pride, etc. are all sins that we might want to do & hold dear to us & our make-up. But when we hate those sins, we will seek to take hold of the Spirit to combat them & more so, when we see the sin knocking at our door. The Spirit is there to empower us - to withstand the temptation to give in. We can also overcome that sin by pursuing another course, e.g. move away from that situation or person, replace the temptation with something good/wholesome, going straight into the Word & prayer. The Lord is always there - it's our choice to whom we appeal to: to fleshly desires or to the spirit ( Romans 6:16-23).

Hebrews 10:26. If you read the whole chapter, the sin being spoken of is about those from Judaism who want to appeal to the old sacrifices instead of Christ's Sacrifice (v29) - it doesn't work - that's sin.

Yes I would like to know , why do we have funerals in the church.? Why are some people calling themselves Aplostles?

What about in Hebrews 10:26 where is states, "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins." and in Galatians 5:19-21 where it states, " Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:1-26

Hopefully this is what you're looking for.

Amen Rick, well written. Yet, the matter of "the cross removing the curse of the law" & "after being born again start with a clean slate", might have bearing on what a believer should do when confronted with the Law in the Bible. Most will 'play safe' & want to obey the Law because it's in the Word after all, & the right thing to do before God. But the Scriptures tell us in Galatians 3:10,13, that the Law which is Holy from God, now becomes a curse to those still under it or those who put themselves there. And that Christ has redeemed us from that curse & by extension, has set us free ( Galatians 5:1).

Maybe, folk haven't thought it through when they say, 'I obey the Ten Commandments' or, "I follow God's Laws". I can understand what they mean, but theologically, it's a dangerous statement, because one cannot be "in Christ" & "under the Law" simultaneously. It's one or the other. If bound to the Law, judgement comes from that position. If bound to Christ, the Law & its curse are removed, we're set free, & we're led in newness of life in obedience & maturing by the Spirit.

Hello William. You wrote, "We are called to obey God not to be saved but because we love God and want to please Him." I believe that to be able to truly love God & desire to please Him with our lives, must first require that we accept His Offer of Salvation - i.e. to be saved. If we're not saved through Christ's Blood, how is it possible to truly love God & please Him? History has shown that Israel tried to do this, to love God & please Him being given all the Laws to enable that to happen, even with God's pleadings by the mouths of the prophets. And you know what resulted from all that: they did not succeed, nor was God pleased with their efforts & they suffered.

But under the New Covenant, we read, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." ( Romans 8:3,4). Would you agree that it's the "righteousness of God's Law" within us by His Spirit that now makes us acceptable to the Father? Though I might write to you as one of those "minister wolves", I do so, not to antagonize or condemn, but for consideration of the greater worth of the New Covenant in Christ's Blood over the Old Law that failed because of man's inability to keep it. Anyone who wants to observe the Law to the letter to please God, will always fail & Christ's shed Blood has no efficacy towards his quest. But if any realize that there can be no salvation (& pleasing God) by Law observance, will find the liberty in Christ & the power of His Spirit, to fully meet the righteous requirements of God's Law written in our hearts. If & when we fail (sin), we know that we can find forgiveness, unlike the Jew who was severely punished. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." ( Galatians 5:1).

Hopefully no one is condemning anyone. John 3:18, that debate may be the question, is it out of disbelief? A deeper, individual question for oneself. Titus 3:9-11, James 5:9-10, 1 Corinthians 11:28-32

1st I think you are incorrect about "government requirement" of all "those vaccinations" that's why there's still debates. I believe in some states they are not required. Even where they are there are debates of rights as parents & individual choices. * not a GOD Law.

2nd Importantly if vaccination is effective; (I agree most have been)= then the hatered, animosity, & anger about freedoms shouldn't exist! Because if effective then those vaccinated have no fear, only non-vaxers would have threats in society. This is a freedom & liberty argument. Jeremiah 34:15-18, Psalms 119:45-46,

3rd If "boomers" could say 'choice' when it came to killing millions in my generation through abortion, then my generation has choices too. Isn't that the real questions? Galatians 5:11-14,

4th The HOLY Spirit is Amazing!!! just this morning I was reminded how painful & difficult, chicken pox were, I contracted maybe 3 times, before 8 yr of age. contracted German measles in hospital at birth. I am grateful my children through vaccination didn't contract. I believe I was reminded because I would be responding to you. Thank you LORD GOD ALMIGHTY :) John 14:26,

5th I believed in the power of vaccinations, I was vaccinated & oldest child. I encountered studies about Autism connected to vaccination. I heard parents' arguments about anti-vax & evidence. I had next infant fuly vaccinated, didn't seem to effect us. My youngest was born & early on had several 'markers for Autism' the evidence in studies pointed to somes inability to absorb metals like Mercury & Lead in bloodstream - I had worked in Lab several years with many Chemicals, including Lead, Mercury. I was also MSDS Supervisor. Knowledge of reproductive system risks, I had to make the moral 'choice' not to vaccinate, at that time.

Hi Tony. You may be referring to Exodus 31:12-17. This Law was given to Israel in line with Day 7 of the Days of Creation - the Day that God "rested (or, ceased) from all His work" ( Genesis 2:3). The Law, which included the keeping of the seventh day (the Sabbath), & circumcision, were the signs that made God's people a special, chosen people, unlike any other nation on Earth. As God ceased from His Work of creation, so He required His people (Israel) to set a specific day each week to also rest from their labours. And the fact that God sanctified the day (i.e. He set it apart as a special day), meant that Israel should engage themselves with other things other than going through the rigors of daily toil. So, it was a day of physical rest & also a day when their minds could re-focus on their Creator & learning more about Him.

Israel today still keep the Sabbath as required of them. But those of Judaism who have come out, finding new life & liberty in Jesus Christ & led of the Spirit are no longer under the Law ( Galatians 5:18), just as the Gentiles who are "without the Law" ( 1 Corinthians 9:21), are not required to be bound to it - to a Law that only showed man his sin & his incapability to fully obey it ( Romans 7:7 ff).

Both Jew & Gentile still need a rest day from hard toil - for the Jew, the seventh day was appointed. For the Christian, any day could be a day of physical rest. For the Jew, he went to the Temple or Synagogue on the Sabbath to worship God - for the Christian, he can worship God on any day he chooses. The early Church met on the first day of the week to worship ( Acts 20:7), fellowship & break bread together, remembering the Lord Who gave His Life for them & rose from the grave on the first day of the week. So, there is no commandment to break; the Sabbath for worship together does not apply to the Christian - some worship on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday - maybe even other days. But if Sabbath is forced upon Christians, then we have a problem.

Thank you David, for your good response.

I too, do not go around each day ready for a fight or worrying about my sins. The Scripture says that the Holy Spirit contends against the sinful flesh ( Galatians 5:17). The battle is the Spirits, not ours. But there are times when the Spirit reveals to use a sinful tendency or habitual action and it grieves us, as it did Paul, because we do not want any area of our lives to be controlled by sin. I do believe that believers do sin, but the Spirit will not allow us to be happy in sinning, and will prompt us to repent and ask for forgiveness. I pray and ask God to replace this sin with a godly action next time I am in a situation where I may be tempted. I know people who are believers who do participating in ongoing sin. For example, people who continue to lie, gossip, cuss, or have sex with their boyfriends or girlfriend. Some sinful patterns are hard to break when someone wants to, and some believers don't admit that wat they continue to do is sinful, and so, do not repent. I think this may be the case for more believers than not. We all have to grow in godliness in this life. The Spirit helps us.

Yes, we are "witnesses in what we say and what we do". Our witness should show the goodness of Jesus, the desirability of doing what is right, and the positive effects of living for Jesus and not for sin. Our good "works" follow our justification through faith in Jesus. We have been given a brand new nature by the indwelling Spirit that was not in us before conversion. That is why we are called to walk in the Spirit (who will never lead us to sin) and you (we) shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (sinful nature) Galatians 5:16)

Paul speaks prior to this verse of the liberty we are called to: "but do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh (and excuse to sin), but in love serve one another. for all the law is fulfilled in one word (love), even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Paul says in Galatians 3:13 that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us" He did not redeem us from the law, because the law is good. Paul says that: the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ (showing us our need for salvation because we could not be justified by keeping the law, because, unequivocally, no one but Christ kept all of the law), But after faith as come, we are no longer under a tutor." (being guided to God by the law). Galatians 3:24

Paul taught those who are redeemed and justified by faith, are not to take our freedom in Christ to continue to sin without concern. We are to take our freedom in Christ to use the Power of the Holy spirit to live God's way, doing what is good and shows the love of Christ to others.

What you're dealing with is demonic. Unbelievers don't know they've been taken hostage.

Believers know they've been snared. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can break the ties that bind us. We pray and ask for HELP to break the bonds and be freed. We do that by depending upon what Jesus did on the Cross to set us free. He paid in blood. Satan nor demons have AUTHORITY to cross that blood and take a Christian captive. Whom the Son sets free, is free Indeed.

Faith in Christ stands up and takes that authority back! Ephesians 6. The Helmet of Salvation. Start pleading the blood of Jesus when THE TEMPTER shows up. The more scripture you know__the more ammo you have to shoot back at the evil. Read about Jesus 40 day fast after his baptism. "IT IS WRITTEN_____ " you fill in that blank with a verse, like He did. It absolutely works. We're weak often because we fill our minds with television, novels and video games.

FILL UP ON JESUS.

Spirit of Bondage

Manifestations - Fears, Addictions (Drugs, Alcohol, Cigarettes, Food, Etcetera...), Fear of Death, Captivity to Satan, Servant of Corruption, Compulsive Sin, Bondage to Sin

Scriptures: ( Romans 6:16; 7:23; 8:15; 2 Peter 2:19; Hebrews 2:14-15; Luke 8:23; John 8:34; Acts 8:23; Proverbs 5:2; 2 Timothy 2:26)

Roots... "The Works of the Flesh," Galatians 5:19-21.

"By their fruits you will know all men," Matthew 7:20. According to Matthew 6:10; 11:12; 12:29; 16:18; 18:18; 28:18 BIND: Spirit of Bondage

LOOSE: Liberty, Spirit of Adoption:

Spirit of God: Pure Spirit, Holiness, Commitment, Insatiable

Ever Increasing Hunger for the Holy Spirit.

You're going to feel silly, because demons are invisible. Eph.6

On YouTube, watch Charles Capps: Authority of the Believer. Take notes. When you get free, tell others how to be free.

Don't be anesthetized by television. Read more New Testament Bible.

** Luke 11:24-26 garnish means Bible and Faith

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Mark, this is what you're dealing with. I've gone through this myself. No more despairing. You have to stand up against IT. And it thinks it can take you down. Just as Ezekiel had to do in chapter 37, SPEAK OUT: in Jesus Name and by the power of his authority, I come against YOU, spirit of heaviness; I BIND your evil plans against me and in the name of Jesus of Nazareth I reject you and cast you into outer darkness to wander, forever. I forbid your return. I am a blood bought child of the Most High God! I am covered in Jesus Blood. Let me go!!!

it's personality

Spirit of Heaviness [a demon]

Manifestations - Excessive Mourning, Sorrow-Grief, Insomnia, Self- Pity, Rejection, Broken-Heart, Despair-Dejection-Hopelessness, Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, Inner Hurts that won't heal.

Study The Enemy of Tour Soul:

Heaviness Scriptures: ( Isaiah 61:3; Luke 4:18; Nehemiah 2:2; Proverbs 15:13; Psalms 69:20; Proverbs 12:18; 15:3,13; 18:14; Luke 4:18; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; Isaiah 61:3; Mark 9; Luke 4:18; Proverbs 18:14; 26:22)

ITS ROOTS "The Works of the Flesh," Galatians 5:19-21.

By their fruits you will know all men, Matt 7:20.

According to Matthew 6:10; 11:12; 12:29; 16:18; 18:18; 28:18

Bind: Spirit of Heaviness

Loose: Comforter-Holy Spirit, Garment of Praise, Oil of Joy, John 15:26; Isaiah 61:3

I know people like their own tunes, but this works for me. Listen to: Kingdom in the Streets by DION. It's on YouTube. OR, "IN 3D". Listen sometimes to Spiritual Warfare Scriptures. Type that in on YouTube and they will build up your faith. Praise will get you out of that Valley of Dry Bonesstand up on your feet and shake your fist at Heaviness.

He has to leave. He cannot cross the bloodline of Jesus's Blood. Jesus was cool when satan was tempting Him. He just fired off some scriptures.

You're gonna slay this Giant! Praise will get you through. Just trust me on this.

Mishael

Hi Earl, thanks for sharing your opinion, but I don't believe any of that is true. It sounds like you're not considering many other verses but just honed in on only 2 verses and interpreted them in such a way to arrive at your desired outcome. I don't believe your personal definition of freewill vs choices. These are one of the same. Eve chose to eat the fruit, and wasn't just an actress in a play God wrote. The Bible doesn't contradict itself, but I believe some readers make false assumptions. I suspect maybe you're not open to my previous points brought up. Other verses already shared that clearly show we have freewill to choose James 1:13-16, Joshua 24:15, Galatians 5:13, etc. so God bless.