What Do We Practice?

Galatians 5:19-23 EMTV Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, fornication, immorality, lewdness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, (21) envies, murders, drinking bouts, revelries, and the like; which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control--against such things there is no law.

Though somewhat discredited now, Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book, Outliers (The Story of Success), that suggested if someone practiced 10,000 hours one would be an expert. Whether that is true or not, it is known that practice does make for better success. A physician who only does 12 surgeries a year is not going to be as successful (generally speaking) as one who does 250. The more practice, the better we can do something. Many examples could be suggested.

Now one who practices sin for many years (every human born (Romans 3:23) excepting the Lord Jesus) will be very skilled at it. Someone who lies is a liar, and practicing lying could make one famous. Same could be said for any in the about list from Galatians 5:19-23. We have all met people who had practiced immorality, hatred, selfish ambitions, murder and so on. The Bible states that the punishment for sin is death, and God will punish (Isaiah 13:11).

What would life be like if we practiced the traits found in verses 22-23 (Galatians 5:22-23)? We would be practicing God approved and society approved traits. What would the world be like if we practiced these?

This can be applied to all people but we are not good. After being born again as a real Christian, then we are given the rule, the law, to have the Fruits of the Spirit. These can distinguish true from false. No Christian is perfect in these, but these traits need to be seen and growing. This can be done by reading and study the Bible, prayer, and God's help.