How do you deal with people that hurt you?
-       I rarely give direct suggestions on what to do…

THE SPIRIT VERSUS THE FLESH
Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say then, walk (live) by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
- Flesh vs Sinful Nature (* NIV 84 & New Living)
- NIV changed sinful nature to flesh in 2011 version
 - The Message - My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.[1]
- “the flesh” does not mean “the body”

• It is a far more encompassing term involving the mind, will, and emotions as well as the physical body.
• According to R. Jewett, the flesh was Paul’s term for everything aside from God in which one placed his final trust.
• Everything outside of faith
• Only the Spirit of God who has made us free from sin and given us new life (regeneration) can keep us truly free as we walk in him through the power of sanctification.
• Sanctification – Knowing that you are vs trying to attain it.
• Here in Gal 5 Paul used four distinct verbs to designate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, all of which are roughly equivalent in meaning:

1. to walk in the Spirit (v. 16)
2. to be led by the Spirit (v. 18)
3. to live by the Spirit (v. 25a)
4. to keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25b).

Each of these verbs suggests a relationship of dynamic interaction, direction, and purpose.

• In Paul’s vocabulary, to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Spirit means to go where the Spirit is going, to listen to his voice, to discern his will, to follow his guidance.[2]
• It is not only the Spirit’s direction… but His empowerment!
• So if that is the case it becomes:
• The Spirit’s direction vs our Selfish direction
• The Spirit’s empowerment or our own selfish power. (self-help)
• This is where you have to be careful.
• Society does a wonder in making things of the flesh seem like the “right thing”.
• Think about the acceptance of things today as compared to 10 years ago… 50 years ago.
• You can have a new heart and still live out of your flesh.
• Learn to live out of your new heart. Know God.

17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
- The Spirit and the flesh are not in a stalemate.
 - The flesh does not frustrate the desires of the Spirit; rather, the Spirit frustrates the desires of the flesh.[3]
 - Here is the bad news/good news:
 - Bad news: So long as we remain in this present life, we never outgrow or transcend the spiritual conflict Paul was describing in this passage.
 - There is no spiritual technique or second blessing that can propel the believer onto a higher plane of Christian living where this battle must no longer be fought.[4]
- Good news: Knowing this is the case… allows you to walk on in victory.
- I will not become a judge of qualifying grace.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

• If you don’t completely grasp this battle, it is difficult to walk in victory… in fact, it could destroy you.
• Paul now states the obvious. Let me show you what it looks like as you walk on a daily basis.
• As we read through these lists, we not only filter our own sin issues, but we begin to attach names to the others.
• It is easy to become judgmental to others while at the same time justifying our own issues.
• I am sure Paul did not make a list (that is not exhaustive) for the purpose of analyzing each of your faults.
• This list indicates whether you are a believer or not.

 
19 Now the works (plural) of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before

• More than half of this list causes conflict with other people.
• Those putting selfish needs before others.

—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• The Greek participle here, prassontes, is used in the present tense, referring to people who continually orient their lives toward deeds of the flesh[5]

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

• It is not about having each item in this list...
• It is about grasping that we have the Spirit who produces these items in us.
• I am not responsible for producing the fruit.
• I am responsible for choosing to walk with the Spirit.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- There is no stalemate in this battle between flesh and spirit.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.[6]
- We must encourage one another!

[1] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ga 5:16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 386). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:17). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 387–388). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:21). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:16–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Pizza dough

• 16 oz. / 3 ½ cups all purpose flour (King Arthur unbleached)
• 1 ½ teaspoons large grain salt (sea salt)
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast (Red Star – opaque sealed canister in fridge – keeps it dormant; yeast dies at 110 degrees) (do not use quick rise yeast, causes it to lose flavor/texture)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 oz. / 4 teaspoons of olive oil
• 10 oz. / 1 ¼ cups warm water (keep below 110 degrees, otherwise yeast is at risk)

 

• Stir the yeast, salt and sugar into the flour. (Pour salt on one side and yeast on the other before mixing. Salt retards yeast as well as sugar)
• Add the honey, water and olive oil to the flour mixture and knead the dough for 7-9 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
• After kneading the dough, place it in an oiled container. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes or until it is doubled in size. (Dough rising places: On top of refrigerator is 85 degrees causing it to rise faster, in the window seal it is cooler and causes it to rise slower. Create a hot box by boiling water in microwave and then immediately closing the dough in the oven. The humidity/heat combination will cause it to rise rapidly.)
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and allow the dough to rest, covered for about 5 minutes.
• After resting, roll the dough pieces out to about ½” thickness making sure to retain the circular shape of the dough.

FREEDOM OF THE CHRISTIAN
Galatians 5:1-15
1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
- Summary of Chapter 3 & 4
 - Yoke – Oxen, slaves & interpretation of law.
 - Yoke – Control by someone or something over your behavior.
 - The unsaved person wears a yoke of sin (Lam. 1:14)
 - The religious legalist wears the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1)
 - The Christian who depends on God’s grace wears the liberating yoke of Christ.[1]
2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
- According to Acts 15:1–2 (1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!” 2 But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.), the Judaizers believed that acceptance of this ancient Jewish ritual was absolutely necessary for salvation and incorporation into the people of God.[2]
 - Paul was strongly opposed to the Judaistic theology which insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation.[3]
 - His point is that anyone who insists on living under the law fails to trust in Christ.[4]
 - Paul is saying that you cannot mix Law and grace.
 - If you choose to live by 1 law you choose to live by all the Law… rather than to live by only grace.
 - 99% grace and 1% law = bondage to all Law.
5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.
- “Hope of righteousness” – Glorification concerning our behavior.
 - Hope “of righteousness” – Glorification of those who are already in the state of righteousness.
 - It has to filter with all 66 books.
 - Abraham was credited righteousness.
 - The Church was made righteous.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
- This enables us to contrast the two ways of life.
 - When you live by grace, you depend on the power of the Spirit; but under Law, you must depend on yourself and your own efforts.
 - The efforts of the flesh can never accomplish what faith can accomplish through the Spirit.
 - And faith works through love—love for God and love for others. Unfortunately, flesh does not manufacture love.
 - Too often it produces selfishness and rivalry (see Gal. 5:15).[5]
 - In 2 verses, Paul incorporated faith, hope & love.
 
7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?
- Mike Rodgers was running well
 - But someone posted lane restrictions
 - They became disqualified.
 - Still Olympians… you just competed and came away disappointed.
8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.
 - The process of leaven (yeast)
 - Matthew 13:33 –  He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.” [6]
10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
 - Paul actually wants them to cut themselves off from the religious community claiming to principles of Christianity.
 - Become impotent and unable to produce new converts.
 
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
- We are prone to go to extremes.
 - One believer interprets liberty as license and thinks he can do whatever he wants to do.
 - Another believer, seeing this error, goes to an opposite extreme and imposes Law on everybody.
 - Somewhere between license on the one hand and legalism on the other hand is true Christian liberty.[7]
 - Anytime you want negative things to occur to someone, we call that “walking according to your flesh.”
 - Paul, is saying, “It’s not about you… look around.”
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.[8]
- Flesh refers to fallen human nature, the center of human pride and self-willing.
- Flesh is the arena of indulgence and self-assertion, the locale in which “the ultimate sin reveals itself to be the false assumption of receiving life not as the gift of the Creator but procuring it by one’s own power, of living from one’s self rather than from God.”[9]
 
- Wild animals in a deadly fight—to warn the Galatians that attacking one another ultimately will destroy their community.[10]

• How you “feel” vs what the Spirit leads you to do in love.
• The key word, of course, is love. The formula looks something like this:
• liberty + love = service to others
• liberty − love = license (slavery to sin)[11]

License – Cheap grace

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 713). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 356). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 605). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 715). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 13:33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:1–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 377). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[10] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:15). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Romans 7:17 - So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 7:20 - But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 8:1 -   Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 - ​Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

• I realize in this room we have many emotions concerning the celebration of Moms on Mother’s Day.
• We have those who’ve had great mothers and those who’ve had abusive mothers.
• We have those whose mothers are still alive and those whose mothers have passed.
• We may have some in here who have never known their mother.
• But today is rare for my teaching at Leavener. I want to share a message to potential mothers and current mothers.
• In so many years from now, this message will be purged from the teachings of Leavener on the internet.
• I’m assuming that Hallmark will eventually lose the battle of marketing both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day due to gender equality.
• Our world is doing everything it can to wipe out the differences between men and women.
• That means women will never have clean seats in Starbucks restrooms. Welcome to our world!
• I’ll try not to say anything divisive for the sake of keeping you focused on the intent of this message.
• If you focus on the decisions this world is making about gender in light of what I have to say, then you missed the message and evil one wins the hour for you.

 
- Divide the room according to Mothers & Fathers-
Young Girls
(Mothers to be)
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5 -  1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: 2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. 4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. [1]
What is going to influence your decisions and morality?
“Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME
The choices we make, to behave morally or immorally, are a different matter, and there is a wide variety across populations. Simply knowing or intuitively feeling a rule does not mean we will follow it. Where do those intuitions come from? And why are we so inconsistent about following where they lead us? Scientists can’t yet answer those questions, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking. Brain scans are providing some clues. Animal studies are providing others. Investigations of tribal behavior are providing still more. None of this research may make us behave better, not right away at least.[2]
- Know your identity in Christ
2 Corinthians 5:6-8 - 6 So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.[3]
If you are a Christian, you have an identity in Christ. Once you become a new creation in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17), your whole identity changes because you've been rescued and redeemed from sin and darkness and welcomed into God's Kingdom family (Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:9).
You are handpicked by God, treasured, irreplaceable, loved, forgiven, worth dying for, free, precious, and so much more.
Even if you don't feel it, know that it is true. You're a child of the One True God.
That's worth celebrating. You're worth celebrating.
 
Young Mothers
(Mothers of children at home)
 - Obviously know your identity in Christ.
 - Teach identity in Christ to your children.
USA TODAY -“Why American moms are seriously struggling”
"This ideal of what it means to be a good mom is to put your child's needs above your own. An ideal worker in the U.S. economy means being fully dedicated and committed with your undivided attention – that you can come in at a moment's notice, that you don't have anything that distracts. This doesn't work if you have kids," said Caitlyn Collins, a sociology professor at Washington University.
American mothers are struggling.[4]  

• In 1975, more than half of mothers stayed home with their kids. Today both parents work in 70% of families with children.
• Child care costs on average $12,350 to $13,900 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In some cities, it's double that.
• Dads are taking on more parenting responsibilities than ever, but surveys show it’s still unequal in more than half of households even when both parents work full-time. 
• Nearly half of grandparents live more than five hours from their grandkids.
• Moms in 2016 spent 14 hours a week outside work on child care, up from 10 hours a week in 1965, according to the Pew Research Center.
• Social media is pervasive, and research shows mothers who frequently compare themselves to others on social media feel more depressed, less competent and less positive about their co-parenting relationships.[5]

• The most important relationship in the house is between the husband and the wife.
• The mother carries a child for 9 months and the bond begins. Not so with the father.
• Continue to date (equal opportunity)
• Put the phones down
• Pursue healthy sexual intimacy
• Vacation without kids!
• Make your spouse the priority behind Jesus.

What you do impacts for generations to come.
“Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME
In the alternative, there are neurological explanations for human selflessness. We’re sympathetic creatures, but not in the prettified way we usually use that word. Our brains are wired with mirror neurons— cells that make us mimic the behavior of the people around us, so that we laugh when they laugh, cry when they cry, yawn when they yawn. We even wince at other people’s pain. That provides social cohesion, but it also reduces our most generous impulses to something more transactional: we relieve the suffering of strangers in part because it hurts too much to do nothing.[6]

• Don’t chase after what the world tells us is the “thing to do”. This would be your flesh.
• Mom blogs…
• 1 John 2:15-17 -  15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever. [7]

 

• Pursue the Spirit that resides in you.
• Romans 8:12-17 -  12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. [8]
  
  
• There is no reason to compare yourself to others when you know your identity.
• Romans 14:5-9 - 5 One person judges one day to be more important than another day. Someone else judges every day to be the same. Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and returned to life for this: that he might be Lord over both the dead and the living.[9]

 

• Suffering is going to happen… but that suffering has eternal value.
• Romans 8:16-17 - 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. [10]

 
Mature Mothers
(Empty Nesters & Grandmothers)

• A loss of purpose
• Frustration over lack of control
• Emotional stress
• Marital stress
• Anxiety about your children
  
  
• If half of grandkids live more than 5 hours away… adopt a family!
• Disciple other women about what you know… your identity in Christ.
• Encourage people through their temporary suffering.

Volunteering is for Everyone
“Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME,
“People who are givers are happier and across the board tend to have better mental health,”[11]
“If you can raise a caring child, that child is likelier to be happier and probably live a longer and healthier life,” recommends Post, whose work now centers on studying and advocating for service as a way to prevent and recover from addiction—particularly among adolescents.[12]
1 Peter 5:1-10 - I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory about to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because
God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.
10 The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while. 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen. [13]

• Ask the Fathers to pray over the Mothers.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Ti 4:1–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] “Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME, Editor Edward Felsenthal & Jeffrey Kluger
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 5:6–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] “Why American moms are seriously struggling”
Analysis: Economic, cultural and technological changes have piled on new pressures for moms.
Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY Updated 1:47 p.m. EDT May 9, 2019
[5] “Why American moms are seriously struggling”
Analysis: Economic, cultural and technological changes have piled on new pressures for moms.
Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY Updated 1:47 p.m. EDT May 9, 2019
[6] “Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME, Editor Edward Felsenthal & Jeffrey Kluger
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 2:15–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 8:12–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 14:5–9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 8:16–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] “Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME, Editor Edward Felsenthal & Jeffrey Kluger
[12] “Science of Good and Evil”, (2019) TIME, Editor Edward Felsenthal & Jeffrey Kluger
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Pe 5:1–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

​

Genesis 5:3 - When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Romans 5:20 -  The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Romans 6:6 - ​knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - ​He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 3:12 - ​in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

1 Timothy 4:12 - ​Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Acts 17:11 - ​Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.

2 Timothy 2:2 - ​The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Romans 8:1 - ​Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.