The Book Of Galatians Chapter 5 Part 5 Works Of The Flesh Described

Learning to walk in the Spirit is a priority for each Christian.

Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17)  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18)  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 

Paul is showing a grave spiritual error to Galatians who had defected to Judaism.

They were now under obligation to keep the whole law. They remained under condemnation because no one can perfectly keep God's law.

The just shall live by faith, not by trying to keep the law.

Some Galatian Christians had given up all spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, in favor of keeping the law. 

Paul now addresses the works of the flesh as proof that in our flesh dwells nothing good. 

Coming to grips with the realities about our sinful flesh. 

Galatians 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 

God's Spirit guided Paul to give us a graphic portrayal of the vile nature of our flesh.

By flesh, he refers to the evil, fallen state of a soul that is no longer under the guidance of God’s Spirit. 

Such a person is subject to animal passions that become irregular and turbulent by the influence of sin. 

2 Peter 2:12-14  But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13)  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14)  Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 

Paul describes an unsaved man as having potential of acting like a brute animal, or natural brute beasts, as Peter says. 

A natural brute beast begins by calling the gospel of Christ evil and slandering Christ and His apostles.

This is precisely what false teachers and Judaizers did.

When they attack the gospel they begin to follow the lust of their flesh and to do the awful things Peter and Paul describe.

Adultery and fornication are sexual relationships beyond the marriage covenant ordained by God.

Uncleanness is the opposite of purity and includes sexual perversion like sodomy or beastiality.

Lasciviousness is a word that refers to unchecked lusts like a shameless explosion of diabolical behavior.

Galatians 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 

Idolatry is when we give anything or anyone a higher place than we give to God. 

Pagan idolatry was rampant in Roman culture, including the rites of Bacchus/Dionysius, Diana/Artemis, Zeus/Jupiter, Mars/Mercury and so on.

Idolatry always contains worship of false gods, drunkenness and sexual perversion.

Witchcraft is any association with the devil,  conversing with familiar spirits to gain unlawful knowledge and hurt people. 

The word translated "witchcraft" is contained in the word "pharmacy" and "pharmaceutical." 

Mind altering drugs were mixed into potions to drink or put into incense in order to create a mindless frenzy. 

Hatred is the opposite of love and it can cause many kinds of vile behavior.

Variance means people caused strive and fostered contentious spirits in the church.

Emulation happens after drugs are ingested by breathing incense or drinking a potion. It refers to an agitation state of mind.

Wrath refers to a hot anger that boils and erupts with a violent temper, then subsides only to erupt again.

Strife is creating factions when seeking to grasp political power. Strife naturally produces constant division and schism.

Heresies is a word used to describe an angry mob storming the walls of a city in order to destroy it. 

It is a very good word describing the negative impacts of false teaching.

Galatians 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. 

Envy or jealousy also causes much contention and discord within the church. 

Other works of the flesh include murder, drunkenness and revellings. 

All of these graphic words tell us that in our flesh dwells nothing good.

Paul must have observed some regression into sinful habits among the Galatian churches. 

Some reverted to law keeping and some reverted to pagan practices. 

The Spirit guided apostle made it very clear that anyone who professes faith in Christ but exhibits works of the flesh, have made a false profession of faith.

Such people will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Spirit of God gave us strong words of warning from the apostle Paul.

Our spiritual duty is to examine our own hearts to make sure that we live by faith and that our lives honor our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who profess faith in Christ but do not live for Him, are invited to repent and return to the narrow way that leads to eternal life. 

Bob

1 John 2:3-4  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.