*So, Paul says, "live by the spirit." Define this spirit for us Paul. Is this the holy spirit? According to Paul, we have this thing called a "sinful nature" that desires what is contrary to the spirit. The sinful nature amd the spirit are in conflict with each other and keep you from doing what you want. This is kind of confusing. Do we want to do good things and are stopped by our sinful nature? Or does the sinful nature make us want to do bad things and we are stopped by the spirit? Paul says if the Galatians are led by this mysterious spirit, they are not under law. Well, Paul, they weren't under law to begin with. They were Gentiles! Me thinks Paul spends a lot of time projecting.
*Next, Paul lists "the acts of the sinful nature:"
1.Sexual immorality: Is this not following the sexual mores laid out by god in the biblical law, or not following the sexual mores laid out in culture? Those were/are often two very different things. How were the Galatians to know what Paul considered sexual immorality? Surely not by the law of moses, which he rejects? Sexual mores are complicated, even today. Humanists have tried to come up with a priciple that could work across cultures. It is the basic idea that whatever happens between consenting adults, and does not cause unwanted harm is their own business. The key words being consenting and adult.
2.Impurity: What is impurity anyway? Is that the same thing as uncleanness? Is it defined by the law? If it is, why should we worry about it?
3. Debauchery: According to Google, this means excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures. Maybe addictions to drugs, food, drink, sex? I would venture to say that it is unhealthy to excessively indulge in sensual pleasure, but part of the "sinful nature" in us? Not every one is susceptible to that kind of thing. Does that mean some of us don't have sinful natures? The only thing I am personally prone to over indulge in is chocolate. Blast those Aztecs! Actually, today, science has found that this kind of thing is a result of chemicals working in our brain to make us feel good. Everything that makes us feel good is a result of evolutionary biology. Man found ways to harness and concentrate those chemicals even before he knew that's what he was doing. When life is harsh and unpleasant, feel good remedies become something to live for, for some people. Some people seem to have biologically addictive natures, others don't. There are ways to deal with addictions that don't shame by calling the person sinful. Of course, those who are destructive or harmful because of their addictions must be restrained by society in some way, for the safety of the rest of us. But care must be taken to treat them humanely.
4. Idolatry and witchcraft: make believe and nonsense. The harm these do is all in how they make their adherents treat other people. If the adherents do no bodily or psychological harm to people or property, there is no reason to care what they practice. Many of the modern versions are quite harmless and even pleasantly benevolent. It can be quite pleasant to think of the world and the way things work as though they are magical in some way, but it can also be quite scary. Sinful nature though? How can something that must be learned or imagined be part of our nature?
5. Hatred: hatred is such an all encompassing word for feelings of ill will toward others. I believe it must be learned and is not part of our nature. For much of my life, I could not understand hatred. I guess that shows how lucky I have been in my life. I didn't know if it was possible for me to hate until about a decade ago when I was watching "It's a Wonderful Life" at Christmas time. I felt such a burning disgust at the mean character Mr. Potter that it overwhelmed me. I realized that was hatred. I can't watch that movie any more. I know now that I am capable of hatred, especially in the presence of injustice. Is that a bad thing? I hear christians saying they hate the devil, but that appears to be acceptable hatred. In fact they seem to be permitted to hate the "acts of the sinful nature" in this list as well. Funny. It appears that hate may be complicated. Maybe we should measure its harm by how destructive it is. Some hatreds may have the power to cause people to act for the betterment of humanity. Some obviously do not. I think all hatred is based in fear, justified or not.
To be continued:
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