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Don't Be A Loser

If a relationship comes to an end, you should be "the one who got away," not the individual lamenting a loss.

To help in understanding how to secure a relationship it's equally valuable to know how it is one can easily lose one. Galatians 5:19-21 is a continuation of Paul's encouragement to believers to walk in the Spirit so not to gratify the flesh. If your relationship has failed or "is on the rocks" have you considered the presence of any of these factors?:
Galatians 5:19-21 (condensed)
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God"
Galatians 5:19-21 identifies several unattractive qualities of acting in the flesh, and a major loss is doing so is our inheritance. Let's be honest! If these are disqualifiers for relationship with God, should they not be disqualifiers in our relationships as well? 2 Corinthians 6:14 reads, "do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers." We're quick to translate this as no interfaith relationships, but if you're in a relationship where your significant other is making sacrifices where they shouldn't, believing your strict adherence to be a bit much, that's being unequally yoked. If they don't believe what you believe in (provided your righteousness) then that makes them an unbeliever.

Now, I love hearing of the fruits of the Spirit as much as the next person, but I feel that the final sentence in that passage is too often ignored; "against such things there is no law." Let's replace the word 'law' with 'opposition' and see where that takes us.
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no opposition." 
If you're leading your relationship with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control what can someone have to bring against you!? Where is there room for your significant other to come forth with any of the malefic traits ID'd in verses 19-21? Against such things there is no opposition! If you lead your relationships from verses 22-23, you will always be the victor/keeper. To be the loser is to be the one in singularity because they acted from verses 19-21.

Disclaimer: the fruit of the Spirit is not similar to the spiritual gifts where one person is gifted in one and you're gifted in another. Every fruit of the Spirit is attainable. Strive to possess them all.

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