"PASSAGES TO PONDER"
Works Of The Flesh
INTRODUCTION
1. So far in this series we have briefly examined...
a. "Beatitudes Of The Kingdom" - Mt 5:3-12
b. "Defilements Of The Heart" - Mk 7:21-23
c. "Qualities Of Love" - 1Co 13:1-13
2. Briefly summarizing each passage, we have considered...
a. The character and blessedness of those who would be citizens of
the kingdom of heaven
b. The source of evil and sin that defiles mankind
c. The kind of love that is possible in the lives of those who follow
Jesus Christ
3. Whether our hearts will be the source of much good or evil depends
on...
a. The outcome of a battle within each of us
b. Whether we succumb to the flesh or follow the leading of the
Spirit
[Our next two "Passages To Ponder" deal with this inner conflict. In
this study we will first examine the "Works of The Flesh" as described
in Ga 5:19-21. Beginning with...]
I. THE CONTEXT
A. THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH...
1. They are in opposition against each other - Ga 5:16-17
2. There is certainly a war between the flesh and human spirit
- 1Pe 2:11; Ro 7:23
3. Yet the context suggests that it is the Holy Spirit under
consideration
a. Note Paul's earlier references to the Spirit - Ga 3:2-3;
4:6; 5:5
b. Paul's later argument ("If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit") makes no sense if the human spirit
is meant - Ga 5:25
c. Reaping everlasting life "of the Spirit" must also refer to
the Holy Spirit - Ga 6:8
-- While the flesh pulls us in one direction, the Spirit would
have us go in another!
B. CHRISTIANS MUST SERVE ONE OR THE OTHER...
1. If we follow the lusts of the flesh, we can not do the will of
the Spirit - Ga 5:17b
2. Following the flesh will enslave, placing one in a dilemma
- cf. Ro 6:12-13,16; 7:14-23
3. But with the help of the Spirit, our spirits can overcome the
flesh! - cf. Ro 8:12-14
4. If led by the Spirit, we are not under the (condemnation of)
law - Ga 5:18
-- We must walk in the Spirit, otherwise we will succumb to the
lusts of the flesh
[Key to winning any battle is knowing the adversary. What are the lusts
of the flesh waging war against both our spirits and the Holy Spirit?
They include the "Works Of The Flesh" found in Ga 5:19-21...]
II. THE MEANING
A. THERE ARE SINS OF MORAL IMPURITY...
1. Adultery - not found in the oldest manuscripts, but certainly
included in the next sin
2. Fornication - any sexual immorality (adultery, pre-marital sex,
homosexuality, etc.)
3. Uncleanness - moral impurity, especially with a repulsive
quality
4. Lewdness - sexual excess, shameless behavior in both dress and
conduct
-- These sins are perversions of the sexual instinct (Barclay)
B. THERE ARE SINS OF IDOLATRY AND SORCERY...
1. Idolatry - the adoration of images or other things in place of
God - cf. Ep 5:5; Col 3:5
2. Sorcery - not just witchcraft, but the use of drugs to
manipulate self or others
-- These sins are perversions of worship and drugs (Barclay)
C. THERE ARE SINS VIOLATING THE LAW OF LOVE...
1. Hatred - enmity or hostility toward others that builds barriers
2. Contentions - strife, quarreling, discord, often the result of
hatred and enmity
3. Jealousies - zealous envy that often casts grudging looks
4. Outbursts of wrath - the blaze of temper which flares into
violent words and deeds
5. Selfish ambitions - self-centered attitude that often leads to
the next two sins
6. Dissensions - literally standing apart, resulting in division
7. Heresies - factions created as a result of dissension
8. Envy - like jealousy, but that which expresses itself in
hostile deeds
-- These sins are perversions of noble ambition, righteous
indignation, and devotion to principle (Barclay)
D. THERE ARE SINS OF INTEMPERANCE...
1. Murders - not found in the oldest manuscripts
2. Drunkenness - intoxication due to alcohol
3. Revelries - feasts and drinking parties in which there is
excess
4. And the like - indicating the list is not exhaustive, but
illustrative
-- These sins are perversions of the joy of social fellowship
(Barclay)
[A more detailed treatment of these sins can be found in my study, The
Flesh And The Spirit. But with this quick review of the "Works Of The
Flesh" on our mind, let's make...]
III. THE APPLICATION
A. WE MUST ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS...
1. They wage war against the soul - 1Pe 2:12
2. We've lived long enough under their influence - 1Pe 4:1-3
3. We must not make provision for the lusts of the flesh - Ro 13:
12-14
4. Such conduct will keep us out of the kingdom of God! - 1Co 6:
9-10; Ga 5:21
-- The works of the flesh endanger our souls and threaten our
eternal salvation!
B. WE MUST WALK IN THE SPIRIT...
1. Only then will we not fulfill the lust of the flesh - Ga 5:16
2. By setting our minds on the things of the Spirit
a. That is what ensures our living according to the Spirit - Ro
8:5
b. The things of the Spirit would be that which the Spirit has
revealed
c. I.e., the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit
- cf. Ep 6:17
d. Just as Jesus used the Word to resist temptation - cf. Mt 4:
4,7,10
3. By praying for the strength of the Spirit
a. Whose strength enables us to put to death the deeds of the
body - Ro 8:12-13
b. Whose strength can be accessed through prayer - cf. Ep 3:16,
20-21
-- We will walk in the Spirit to the degree we follow the Word and
persist in prayer!
CONCLUSION
1. The "Works Of The Flesh" should be taken seriously...
a. They endanger our relationships with others
b. They endanger our souls' eternal salvation!
2. By frequent meditation on the "Works Of The Flesh"...
a. We will be reminded of what those sins are
b. We will be more likely to make the effort to put them aside
But winning the battle does not involve simply putting aside the "Works
Of The Flesh". We must also produce the "Fruit Of The Spirit" (Ga
5:22-23) which we will examine in our next study...
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
