19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, softcover
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible, softcover
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $23.99
Save: $6.00 (20%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message Student Bible (Hardcover)
The Message Student Bible (Hardcover)
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $24.99
Save: $10.00 (29%)
The Message Gospel of John
The Message Gospel of John
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $4.49
Save: $0.50 (10%)
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible--soft leather-look, brown
The Message Large-Print Devotional Bible--soft leather-look, brown
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $36.99
Save: $13.00 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message Bible: Large Print Edition
The Message Bible: Large Print Edition
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $39.99
Save: $10.00 (20%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars