“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” [Galatians 5:19-2]
RESULTS OF THE FLESH
Listen! What kind of works does fallen human nature produce? There is no difficulty in identifying the works of the flesh. They are evident to all. Adultery is unfaithfulness in the marriage relationship. Fornication is unlawful sexual intercourse.
Uncleanness is moral evil, sensuality. Lewdness is shameless conduct involving absence of restraint. Idolatry is not only the worship of idols, but also the immorality that accompanies demon worship. Sorcery is witchcraft, magic spells. It also include superstitions.
Hatred means strong feelings of malice directed toward individuals. Contentions are discord, variance, quarrels. Jealousies are distrust, suspicions. Wrath is outbursts of hot anger or passions. Selfish ambitions are self-centered strivings to be number one. Dissensions are separations caused by disagreements. Heresies are sects formed by men with self-willed opinions. Envy is displeasure at the success or prosperity of others. Murders are unlawful killing of others. Drunkenness refers to intoxication caused by strong drunk. Revelries are riotous gatherings for entertainment, accompanied by drunkenness.
Paul warns his readers, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. The passage does not teach that a drunkard cannot be save, but it does say that those whose lives are characterized by the above catalog of fleshly works are not saved.
Why should Paul write in this manner to churches of Christians? The reason is that not all who profess to be saved are true children of God.
Let us examine ourselves in light of God's Word. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).
Uncleanness is moral evil, sensuality. Lewdness is shameless conduct involving absence of restraint. Idolatry is not only the worship of idols, but also the immorality that accompanies demon worship. Sorcery is witchcraft, magic spells. It also include superstitions.
Hatred means strong feelings of malice directed toward individuals. Contentions are discord, variance, quarrels. Jealousies are distrust, suspicions. Wrath is outbursts of hot anger or passions. Selfish ambitions are self-centered strivings to be number one. Dissensions are separations caused by disagreements. Heresies are sects formed by men with self-willed opinions. Envy is displeasure at the success or prosperity of others. Murders are unlawful killing of others. Drunkenness refers to intoxication caused by strong drunk. Revelries are riotous gatherings for entertainment, accompanied by drunkenness.
Paul warns his readers, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. The passage does not teach that a drunkard cannot be save, but it does say that those whose lives are characterized by the above catalog of fleshly works are not saved.
Why should Paul write in this manner to churches of Christians? The reason is that not all who profess to be saved are true children of God.
Let us examine ourselves in light of God's Word. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:25).
ONE COMMAND
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [Galatians 5:14]
One Command
