In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the fruit of the spirit. What Paul calls “the desires of the flesh” are nothing more than what happens when we allow our animal instincts to run while and do not attempt to conform our instincts to the will of God. In the animal world these instincts are not immoral. This is simply the way the animals were created to live. However, God gave to humanity a morality based not on animal instincts, but on the image of God in which we were created. While no one person can fully judge the faith or fruit of another person, if our lives are exhibiting more of the fruit of the spirit and less of the destructive desires of the flesh it is an indication of the sincerity of our religion. If our lives are exhibiting more and more of the desires of the flesh and less and less fruit of the Spirit, it is an indication that we have turned away from true Christianity and replaced it with a selfish and idolatrous form of religion.

Scripture - Galatians 5:16-26