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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 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 keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Comment: Almost all words have different meanings in different contexts. Obviously ‘flesh’ is such a word. When we go to the butcher we buy the flesh of animals and call it meat. All of us have a flesh body and that is good or we would be dead! So what does ‘the works of the flesh mean here’? it doesn’t mean being a carpenter or washing the dishes. It doesn’t mean mutually agreed sexual intercourse within a legal marriage. It doesn’t mean studying to obtain a good goal. No it means the products of a life lived without regard to God. A life basically lived for self indulgence and pleasure. And the given list as well as containing extreme things lists things to which we are all prone – anger, envy, rivalry for example.
The opposite (the Spiritual way) is still lived in a fleshly human body. But it is a life where the Spirit of God is allowed to control. He is cooperated with in producing the character listed here as the fruit of that same Spirit.
Prayer: Give me the sense and strength to submit to and cooperate with You, Holy Spirit of God, as You seek to make me Your sort of person! Please.
As I read it! 
Thank you Barry for your comments on this passage. What a special passage this is to each Christian as they follow Christ. The fruit of the Spirit should be the goal of each one who follows Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The song which uses the words of that verse with all the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit is such a great song, especially for young children to learn. Those words which Paul added, “Against such things there is NO law” are words which are so profound. We can do these things as much as we want to. There is no law against them. WOW!! That is great!! And those final words, “If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” This is something we can live by, with the help and strength of the Holy Spirit. God bless you.
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