₁Freedom is what we have — Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

₁₃As for you, my brothers and sisters, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another. ₁₄For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” ₁₅But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another.

₁₆What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. ₁₇For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. ₁₈If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.

₁₉What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; ₂₀in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; ₂₁they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.

₂₂But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ₂₃humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. ₂₄And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. ₂₅The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.