In Galatians 5, we are given examples of two differing lifestyles: the first is living by the flesh.
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV)
"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV)
The second lifestyle is living by the Spirit.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV)
The first example we're given is one of an obviously worldly manner. It's submission to our physical desires, living based on "me, me, me", and it is focused inwardly. It has a mentality of hoarding. It takes and stores for self.
The second is one of humility and generosity. It focuses on, contrary to the former, others and God. It holds back no goodness, and thinks of self only after thinking of others. It is an outward lifestyle.
About the lakes.
saline and hypersaline lakes (Salt Lake in Utah, the Dead Sea, etc.) have medicinal properties, but life can scarcely survive in them beyond microbes and sometimes crustaceans. These lakes and seas have such a high salt content that they will kill most plant life around them. Fish will asphyxiate in them due to the mineral and sediment content. This is the "inward" lake; the one lacking outlets.
It reflects living by the flesh, living so selfishly that your existence becomes lifeless.
saline and hypersaline lakes (Salt Lake in Utah, the Dead Sea, etc.) have medicinal properties, but life can scarcely survive in them beyond microbes and sometimes crustaceans. These lakes and seas have such a high salt content that they will kill most plant life around them. Fish will asphyxiate in them due to the mineral and sediment content. This is the "inward" lake; the one lacking outlets.
It reflects living by the flesh, living so selfishly that your existence becomes lifeless.
Likewise, we have lakes that have outlets, distributing their minerals gently throughout the streams and rivers that flow from them in such a way that they're beneficial to living matter. The minerals don't bombard organisms to the point of overdose, but rather in moderation that allows fish and plant life to thrive in their vicinity. They supply, to quote a friend of mine, "Living waters." This is the "outward" lake.
This reflects living by the Spirit, living so selflessly that your existence becomes deathless.
This reflects living by the Spirit, living so selflessly that your existence becomes deathless.
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