By Sharieka Breeden
Galatians 5:22-5:23: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.”
My grandmother was providing words of encouragement as she is commonly known to do. As she did so, this scripture came to her. I listened as she pieced together one of many bible verses that I can only refer to as poetic truths about the deeper messages that people often miss as they work to shove religion down as forced opinions, practices and beliefs. Galatians 5:22-5:23 was the scripture that she recited. When she was sharing the verse, she was doing so to inspire and uplift. I was inspired and uplifted even though she was not speaking directly to me. I am also under the impression that I may have taken something away from those words that others may never even consider and that hopefully others may think on.
As she searched for the words to piece together the scripture verbatim, I found myself deeply interested in knowing exactly what they were so I did what anybody in the information age who wants to know more about anything does…(I drove to the library and took out every version of the bible (including King James) and took out interpretation books as well.) Of course I didn’t drive anywhere or take out any books, not even the bible right in front of me under my grandmother’s nightstand. On a serious note, I googled it.
After my google search I found the scripture and started to try and decipher the words that I was reading.
This is my take: In a world where we do everything to define the lives of others based on the limitations and constraints that come from societal expectations and religious beliefs, we should stop and take a look at the verse which clearly states that when it comes to matters such as love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance-THERE IS NO LAW. (Personally I felt like I was reading one of the which one doesn’t fit exercises when I read this scripture).
How can any man made law, man made religion or any practice prohibit others from freely living and loving if those beings are not posing any detriment to another person?
People who think in a close minded manner and refuse to expand their perception or consider anybody else’s circumstance or way of thinking torment the lives of others. The bible is a book with great value with a wealth and knowledge. It is not a text that should be used to devalue someone based on their living. Scriptures such as Galatians 5:22-5:23 are underrated and they are not quoted enough. There is no power in words unless we speak them, then actively carry them out in our actions.
In my opinion, verses such as these are overlooked. Instead of finding beauty and uplift in any version of any religious text, people regurgitate leviticus and paraphrase verses for their convenience.
In the last line of the scripture, the words “there is no law” echoes loudly in my mind. There should not be any law that prohibits the fruit of the spirit.
We are all extensions of God and the concepts of love, joy and peace should not be unlawful unless they pose a threat to a defenseless group of people who can’t make decisions for themselves. (in my opinion)
When we are in our right mind, with our right heart and spirit why should we be limited to connecting and building?
Before 2014 was fully underway, Utah was already diligently working to overturn the rights of Gay/Lesbian couples who want to get married. Why? I am under the impression that lawmakers and a great deal of voters expect the rights of people to be denied because of close-minded perceptions of a few people. Hold tight to your beliefs, hold tight to your scriptures, but understand when we talk we provide solutions from the same book:
“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.”
There is no law that should prohibit the union of two people who pose no threat to humankind. What is the threat? What is the argument? There are those anxiously waiting to stand defending their beliefs with the story of Sodom and the old testament. I don’t overlook their opinion or interpretation, but I also don’t accept it as anything more than that. Contradiction comes into play when we take some and not all, and in reading the poetically delivered, plain and clear text from Galatians which is in the same book that some cling to when denying the rights for other, I find the words “there is no law” echoing in my mind and something that can be applied to all.
Let’s at least talk before we just eliminate opportunities. By denying marriage and making laws to deny rights you can’t kill happiness that comes from the fruit of the spirit…
As a people it’s time to do better than we are doing. There is no need to carry out acts of denying rights and causing detriment to another human being by ignorant and hateful practices such as corrective rape. Hatred should not be practiced against anybody and religion is not an excuse to exclude. Lets just get together and at least say a few words.
Powerful Politics 