WORKS OF THE FLESH
Gal 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 first eighteen verses of this chapter we find God's explanation, through the apostle Paul, of the two pathways of life that men and women can choose to walk during their sojourn here on earth. Being free to choose, they can elect to walk in the manner devised by God, which was made manifest through His Holy Spirit, or they can walk in the manner of life designed by Satan, which selfishly centers on things of the world, that is,` to walk in the flesh. In order to choose the right way to walk, we must know the definition of each. We want to walk in the way that is pleasing to our Creator, our Heavenly Father. It is He, our God in heaven, that has defined the sinful obstacles that Satan has placed in the pathway of our fleshly life here on earth. It is also He that tells us of the hills we must climb in order to safely travel the pathway of life designed by the Holy Spirit of God, which leads to eternal life in heaven.
In the lesson text, and according to the New Testament Covenant between God and mankind, Paul, by inspiration, has revealed every sin that God says can be committed by men and women during their life on earth. Seventeen specific sins are listed, which are followed by the words "and such like," which is used in the same way as the Latin phrase, et cetera (etc.). It is an all-inclusive term,which means "all the rest - all others like these." The sins listed here, B. W. Johnson, in his New Testament commentary, places in four categories, (1) sins of sensuality, (2) sins of false religion, (3) sins against fellow human beings, and (4) sins of intemperance. Paul introduced these sins with this phrase: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these. In order to describe these sins, many biblical information sources were used, including Nelsons Bible Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Peloubet's Bible Dictionary, Adam Clarke's Commentary, Barnes' Notes, Matthew Henry's Commentary, and The People's New Testament With Notes by B. W. Johnson.
Adultery - This is also identified in the Old Testament, which specifically states that Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex. 20:14). Adultery is defined as the illicit, willful sexual intercourse with someone other than one's husband or wife. A husband and a wife become one flesh through the sanctity of marriage. The sin of adultery occurs when one, or both, of these parties violate the union and the purity of their marriage by fulfilling their sexual desires with another person.
Fornication- Although adultery and fornication are similar in nature, Jesus identifies each as a separate sin (See Matt. 15:19 & Mark 7:21). The majority opinion is that fornication is the broader term for sexual sins and includes the specific sin of adultery, as noted above. Considering Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, the sin of fornication also includes all sexual relationships that are committed outside the bond of marriage. One passage says that in order to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband (1 Cor. 7:2-3). Sexual intercourse that are sinful in an unmarried state is not only scriptural within a marriage, but necessary to demonstrate the due benevolence that is to exist within a marriage between a husband and wife.
Uncleanness - Uncleanness, as a sin, is just the opposite of that which is pure. Under the Law of Moses, God gave the children of Israel many commandments regarding uncleanness. All ceremonial rites were to be performed in a clean and purified manner. Certain foods were unclean and were not to be eaten, touched, etc. Uncleanness that results from bodily fluids is discussed in Leviticus 15. A person with leprosy, or one that came in contact with a person having this disease was considered to be unclean. Uncleanness occurred when any person that touched anything dead, either a human being or an animal. In gospel messages of the New Testament we find that Jesus dealing with unclean spirits, demonic possession, etc. However, considering the context in which we find uncleanness listed as sin in the lesson text, as well as in Colossians 3:5, and 2 Corinthians 13:21, it is probably referring to uncleanness that results from any immoral, unnatural sexual perversions, some of which Paul wrote about in Romans 1:24-27.
Lasciviousness - All sins that result from lewdness and unchastely. Lasciviousness is any sin committed due to a lifestyle filled with immorality, licentiousness, wantonness, shamelessness, indecency unbridled lust, etc. Lasciviousness is the fulfilling of impure desires and deeds of the flesh. The lack of moral restraints within one's life will result in giving in to the sin of lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness (Eph. 4:19).
Idolatry - In the strictest sense, God gave to the children of Israel, and gives to us today, this commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them (Ex. 20:3-5a). In its broad sense, idolatry is the "worshiping," or holding in greater esteem, anything other than your Creator, the Author of eternal salvation, your Heavenly Father. Anything that detracts from one's obligation to worship God is considered to be an idol. Idolatry occurs when one pays homage to any person or thing, whether it be images made of stone, wood, clay, or other things created by God such animals, the sun, moon, stars, fire, air, or any other object of nature. To place heroes or ancestors before God is idolatry. To value, or have affection for, wealth, precious metals, jewels, or any other possession here on earth more than one's love for God is idolatry. God says in no uncertain terms: idols are not to be worshipped. God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5)!
Witchcraft - In terms that we can understand today, witchcraft is the art, craft, and practice of pharmacy - the administration of medicine, or magic potions, that have the "power" to cure and restore love, or to poison and create hate. It is termed a black art, and when practiced, its "medicine" is usually administered with magical incantations. The word translated "witch" in Exodus 22:18, is translated "sorceress" in the revision, carrying with it the meaning of the practice of magic and divination. This appears to be the most prevalent usage throughout God's word. Whether this "craft" was a true gift of God is given to much debate. We do know that, in New Testament times, those practicing witchcraft, as found in the lesson text, and as the word is translated "sorcerers" in Revelations 21:8, such practitioners are included with all types of other sinners that God condemns and will administer just punishment.
Hatred - Hatred in its simplest terms is the lack of love, which in turn produces a multitude of other sins, such as contention, strife, false witnessing, stealing, slander, murder, etc. In Old Testament times, God's people were taught to hate the enemies of God. Psalm 139:21-22 is one place this is shown. With the coming of Christ, hatred was condemned. This is what Jesus taught, in His "Sermon on the Mount" regarding hatred: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:43-44). Hatred of others is not to exist among Christians. Sin is to be hated, but not the sinner.
Variance - As used here, variance is to disagree, quarrel, or dispute. To be at variance with another is to be at odds and differing with them; at conflict with others; to contend with them. Broadly stated, variance is contention with others. The Psalmist tells us the sin of pride produces contention (Psalm 13:10). There were contentions among the brethren at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:11). Christians are not to have a contentious disposition; they are not to be argumentative or quarrelsome; they are not to sow discord. Christians are not to be at variance with one another.
Emulations - Emulations are dislikes that result from an over ambitious jealousy. Emulations are envies that cause unholy and overly zealous ambition. It is striving to excel over others at their expense, with disregard for their character or their possessions. Emulation is the culminating act of covetousness. Such inordinate, ambitious desire; such heart-burning jealousy has no place within the life of a Christian.
Wrath - The word translated "wrath" means to be angry. A wrathful person is a person filled with anger. The Old Testament contains many instances when God exercised His divine wrath against those that disobeyed His will. That same wrath will be exercised again at the end of time against those that are not his obedient children. God's wrath has been, and will be in the future, demonstrated in His administration of justice against sinful men and women. However, human wrath that results from anger is a sin. It is the exhibition of inordinate, vengeful, hateful rage. Human wrath is without excuse. Paul, by inspiration, gave this Christian instruction: Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (Rom. 12:19).
Strife - Strife is contention; it is quarrelsome discord; it is disputations. The writer of Proverbs fully describes the sin of strife. He wrote that a wicked man ...soweth discord among brethren (See Prov. 6:12-19). He also advises children of God by warning them to Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease (Prov. 22:10). Arguing, quarreling, controversy, and disputing have no place in the church of Christ where harmony, peaceful relationships, and agreement in the doctrine of Christ is necessary for acceptable service to God.
Seditions - Sedition is the sinful act of stirring up factious discontent, resistance, and rebellion against authority, either governmental or spiritual. Barabbas was tried and convicted of governmental sedition (See Luke 23:18-25), and the accusation of it was made against the apostle Paul (Acts 24:5-6). A good example of this sinful action taking place within the body of Christ is noted in Paul's letter to the Roman church when he wrote, Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Rom. 16:17). Indeed, within the church of Christ, sedition is a sinful work of the flesh.
Heresies - Heresy is often the result of sedition caused by strife. Quarreling and controversy breeds resistance and discontent, which often brings a factious separation among members of the body of Christ. Heresy was the accusation Paul brought against the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 11:19). The heretical teaching and doctrines of false, covetous preachers was a critical problem in the early church, and runs rampant within the religious society today. False teachers - heretics, are to be rejected (Titus 3:10). Peter warns all Christians of this fact: there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them (2 Pet. 2:1b).
Envyings - Envy is the discontented feeling within the mind of a person that comes from a selfish heart that looks, in a desiring manner, upon the possessions and superiority of another. When these things cannot be achieved with one's own talents, and within the time desired, efforts will be made to degrade, or to bring others down to, or below, their own level of achievement. Envy begrudges others of the enjoyment of something that they themselves desire, but do not have. Envy is a stronger degree of covetousness. Envy, unrestrained, often leads to other sinful acts such as stealing, lying, malice, slander, and even murder.
Murders - Murder is the unlawful, deliberate, malicious, premeditated killing of one human being by another. Under most civil governments, it is considered to be one of the greatest of crimes, often punished by death. The first murder occurred when Cain, out of vengeful jealousy, took the life of his brother, Abel. In New Testament Christianity, Jesus gave additional meaning to murder when He taught His disciples that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment (Matt. 5:22). Murder is the culmination of hatred that proceeds from the heart of men or women (Matt. 15:19). However, murder, like all other sins against the will of God, can be forgiven (See Matt. 12:31).
Drunkenness - The inspired writing of Paul tells us that Christians are not to be drunk with wine, wherein is excess (Eph. 5:18). The sin of drunkenness is also condemned in other scriptures (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10; 1 Thess. 5:7). The excessive use of intoxicants seemed to be fairly common among people of the earth during all biblical times. This sinful act has not changed in the present age. The excessive use of intoxicating beverages causes one to be mentally overcome to the point of losing control over their faculties. Drunkenness is an impairment to rationalization and reason, and in this state, it is condemned in God's holy word.
Revellings - This is a sin that is broad in its nature, and includes any kind of riotous or unseemly conduct. Specifically, revellings is generally associated with carousel; that is, the boisterous, disorderly conduct of those that are drunken. Drunkenness is sinful; therefore the revelry it produces is just as sinful.
And such like - Sins, such as those previously mentioned, come in many forms and degrees. Actions that are similar, akin, or liken to these are sin. Actions that result from all evil desires and passions are sinful in their nature, and are condemned here in God's word.
Paul concludes the teaching of the lesson text by reminding the members of the churches of Galatia that he had warned them before, and he is warning them again, how God will deal with such sinners - they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. These sinful actions are the works of the flesh. If continued in and unforgiven, they will cause each sinner to lose the hope of eternal salvation. Glorified by Satan, they are condemned by God. In this Holy Spirit-inspired teaching, Paul admonished each Christian not to indulge in such sinful ways. Such sinners cannot enter heaven's gates. These sins, and all men and women that commit them, will be unknown in heaven.