The works of the flesh
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh refers to the sinful behaviours, attitudes, and actions that emanate from human nature when it is under the influence of sin. These works of the flesh are in contrast to the fruits of the Spirit, which represent virtuous qualities that come from a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
Anyone who then engages in these is living against the will and nature of God and as such do have a part in His kingdom here on earth and the one to come.
Some of these works of the flesh includes the following.
1. Sexual Immorality, Impurity, Sensuality:These three sins are interconnected and refer to any form of sexual wrongdoing that deviates from God's intended plan for human sexuality within the confines of marriage.
2. Idolatry and Sorcery: These are not just about worshipping idols or practicing witchcraft, but also include the worship of anything other than God, such as materialism, success, or power.
3. Enmity, Strife, Jealousy, Fits of Anger: These describe the hostility and emotional turmoil that result from selfishness and a lack of love for one another.
4. Rivalries, Dissensions, Divisions: These are the fruits of discord and a refusal to seek unity and harmony within the body of Christ.
5. Envy: It's the poison of discontentment, leading us to covet what others have and breeding resentment.
6. Drunkenness and Orgies: These behaviors result from an overindulgence in worldly pleasures, leading to a loss of self-control.
The Consequences:
Paul doesn't list these works of the flesh to condemn us, but to show us the grave consequences of indulging in them. He emphasizes that those who persist in these sinful behaviors will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Way of the Spirit:
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Living by the Spirit involves cultivating these virtues in our lives and walking in obedience to God's will.
In conclusion, as followers of Christ, it is imperative that we recognize the works of the flesh and actively seek to overcome them through the power of the Holy Spirit. We should constantly strive to produce the fruits of the Spirit in our lives. Remember, our salvation is not based on works but on faith in Christ, but our works reveal the sincerity of our faith.
Let us commit ourselves today to live in the Spirit, not in the flesh, and to allow God's transformative power to shape us into the image of Christ. Only then can we truly experience the abundant life and the promise of inheriting the kingdom of God.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.
2. Lord, forgive me all my sins which has taken root in my heart in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, help me to crucify the flesh and it's works so I can live according to the spirit and the will of the Father in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.