For the flesh wars against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; these two are opposed to one another....now the works of the flesh are obvious:...hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissentions, factions, occasions of envy....
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envious of one another.
As in the beginning of time, Cain is constantly warring against Abel---the flesh against the spirit. Those who live according to the flesh reap destruction; those who live by the spirit are filled with life. When we isolate small groups of people on an island, it is not long before they reveal themselves for who they are---those who live by the flesh and those who live by the spirit. What is interesting is how much those who live by the flesh hate the others and cannot wait to rid their society of the peace-makers. And then, what is left but a group who begin to tear themselves apart--a micro-cosm of the world at large.
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