Yielding to the Spirit, Denying the flesh, and Producing Fruit - Part 3.
Galatians 5:19 - 21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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
There are 17 named things that are the work of the flesh in this passage. Many more are named in the phrase “And such like”.
Sensual Sins
Adultery
Fornication
Uncleanness
Lasciviousness - Excess, no restraint, indecency, wantonness. No boundaries
Superstitious sins
Idolatry - worshipping of idols, replacing God with anything.
Witchcraft - Deals with drugs, spells.
Social Sins
Hatred
Variance - Divisive
Emulations - Jealousy
Wrath
Strife
Seditions - Cause division
Heresies - Self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God
Envyings
Murders
Drunkenness
Revellings - Speak profanely
And such like
Those that are living in habitual sins named here, and other places in Scripture, are possibly living in a false assurance of their salvation and not one based in the Word of God. This is not a loss of salvation, but rather a lack thereof completely.
The works of the flesh are not necessarily the presence of sin but the lack of the Spirit of God. Mankind, as outlined in Romans 1, has a default state of sinfulness. (a similar list to this one in Galatians is given in Romans 1:24-32.)
As followers of Jesus Christ we are prone to manufacture the works of the flesh in our life if we are not submitted to the Spirit of God and allowing Him to bear fruit through us.
May we not participate in the works of the flesh.
When we do, there is one of two reasons:
We are not saved.
We have quenched the Spirit.
If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation, you have received the Spirit of God. As followers of Jesus Christ let’s be sure we are not grieving and quenching the Spirit, and doing the works of our flesh.
Rather, let us submit ourselves to the Spirit’s work and bear fruit.
