The Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:19-21

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB95

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

No passage in the Bible draws a clearer contrast between the life of a Spirit-filled believer and that of the person controlled by the sinful human nature than Gal. 5:16-26.

Paul not only discuses general lifestyle differences by emphasizing that the Spirit and the sinful nature are at war with each other, but he also includes a specific list of both the acts of the sinful nature and the fruit of the Spirit.

The sinful nature remains within Christians after their conversion and is their deadly enemy (Ro. 8:6-8, 13; Gal. 5:17, 21). Those who practice the acts of the sinful nature cannot inherit God’s kingdom (Gal. 5:21). This sinful nature must be resisted and put to death in a continual warfare that the believer wages through the power of the Holy Spirit (Ro. 8:4-14; Gal. 5:17).

Any so-called Christians who engage in these types of activities shuts themselves out of the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21; 1 Co. 6:9).

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these,” presents the Apostle Paul cataloging a list of sins. You have a clearly defined standard by which to decide whether you are being led by the Holy Spirit or by the flesh.

If a person does not avail himself of the help given by the Holy Spirit, even as the latter portion of the 21st verse tells us, that person can lose their soul. The believer who begins in the Spirit, cannot revert to Law as it regards to his everyday walk before God.

The “works of the flesh” fall into four general sections, sensuality (sexual sins), idolatry, contention, and excess.

I. Sensuality

1—Adultery—in the Greek adultery is “moicheia,” and means “unlawful sexual relations between men and women, single or married” (but not married to each other).

2—Fornication—in the Greek fornication is “porneia,” and means “repeated adultery of married or single people” (Mat. 5:32; 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:2; 10:8; 1 Thess. 4:3; Rev. 9:21), “incest” (1 Cor. 5:1; 10:8); “idolatry” and “adultery in honor of idol gods” (2 Chron. 21:11; Isa. 23:17; Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Acts 15:20, 29; 21:25; Rev. 2:14-21; 14:8; 17:2-4; 18:3-9; 19:2); “natural harlotry” (Jn 8:41; 1 Cor. 6:13-18); “spiritual harlotry” (Ezek. 16:15, 26, 29; Rev. 17:2-4; 18:3-9; 19:2); “sodomy and male prostitution” (Rom. 1:24-29; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; Heb. 12:16; Jude v. 6-7); sexual immorality, immoral sexual conduct and intercourse; it includes taking pleasure in pornographic pictures, films, or writings (Ex. 20:14; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Ac. 15:20, 29; 21:25; 1 Co. 5:1).

Fornication does not apply only to single people as some teach, with adultery applying only to married people. In a sense, all adultery is fornication, but not all fornication is adultery.

3—Uncleanness—in the Greek uncleanness is “akatharsia,” and refers to “whatever is opposite of purity,” including sodomy, homosexuality, lesbianism, pederasty, bestiality, and all other forms of sexual perversions (Mat’ 12:27; Rom. 1:21-32; 6:19; 2 Cor. 12:21; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Thess. 2:3; 4:7; 2 Peter 2; Jude); impurity, sexual sins, evil deeds and vices, including thoughts and desires of the heart (Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5).

4--Lasciviousness— in the Greek lasciviousness is “aselgia,” and means “lustfulness, unchastity, and lewdness” Mk. 7:22; 2 Cor. 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 1 Pet. 4:3; Jude v. 4); it also means “wantonness” (Rom.13:13; 2 Pet. 2:18); and “filthy” (2 Pet 2:7); debauchery, sensuality; following one’s passions and desires to the point of having no shame or public decency (2 Co. 12:21).

Lasciviousness is the promoting or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions, anything tended to foster sex sin and lust. That is why many worldly pleasures have to be avoided by the Christian—so that the sin of lasciviousness may not be committed.

II. Idolatry

Sexual sins are not the only sins of the flesh, however. Paul goes on to list two sins of religion: “idolatry,” a worship of the creature rather than the Creator, and “witchcraft,” a secret tampering with and at times a worship of the powers of evil. These two terms are also arranged in an ascending horror of evil and indicate that the works of the flesh include offenses against God as well against ourselves or our neighbors.

5—Idolatry—in the Greek idolatry is “eidololatreia,” and means “image worship” (1 Cor. 10:14; Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:5; 1 Pet. 4:3), worship of spirits, persons, or graven images; trust in any person, institution or thing as having equal or greater authority than God and His Word (Col. 3:5). However idolatry also includes anything on which affections are passionately set, even extravagant admiration of the heart (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).

Idolatry is the worship of both the image and the god it represents. Herein lies its subtle danger. Originally no idol was meant to be worshiped. The image was provided to localize and visualize and thus make it easier to worship the god of which it was a representation.

The basic evil in idolatry is that the creation is worshiped instead of the Creator (Rom. 1:19-23). In this sense “idolatry” is no less problem in our day, even though it is clothed in sophistication. Whenever anything in the world begins to hold the principal place in our hearts and minds and aims, then that thing has become an idol, for that has usurped the place which belongs to God.

It is not a coincidence that idolatry is associated with immorality in Paul’s mind. Prostitution was a basic part of many heathen religions.

6--Witchcraft—in the Greek witchcraft is “pharmakeia,” and means “sorcery, practice of dealing with evil spirits; magical incantations with casting spells and charms upon one by means of drugs and potions of various kinds,” spiritism, black magic, worship of demons and use of drugs to produce “spiritual” experiences (Ex. 7:11, 22; 8:18; Rev. 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15).

The practice of “witchcraft” originally was the use of sorcery or magic in religions. This kinds of witchcraft became one means of a broader practice of magic, which through superstition was closely tied to religion. The Catholic church has attempted to “Christianize” witchcraft rather than have it eliminated. If the Catholic church is popular in any part of the country, the favorite type of witchcraft in that particular country is usually incorporated into Catholic so-called worship.

III. Contention

7—Hatred—in the Greek hatred is “echthra,” and means “bitter dislike, abhorrence, malice, an ill-will against anyone, a tendency to hold grudges or be angry at someone.

“The mind of the flesh is enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7), and naturally results in enmity to men.

8—Variance—in the Greek variance is “eris,” and means “dissensions, discord, quarreling, debating, and disputes,” quarreling, antagonism; a struggle for superiority (Ro. 1:29; 1 Co. 1:11; 3:3). The hatred just mentioned by Paul produces variance or strife.

Paul made it clear that strife, so characteristic of the pagan world (Rom. 1:29), was diametrically opposite to the unity God intended to exist in the Christian fellowship. This was such an important matter that three additional terms are used to deal with the same fundamental issue of divisive elements in the body of Christ.

9—Emulations—in the Greek emulations is “zealot,” and means “envies, jealousies, striving to excel at the expense of another, seeking to surpass and outdo others, uncurbed rivaly spirit in religion, business, society, and other fields of endeavor,” resentfulness, envy of another’s success (Jn. 2:17; Rom. 10:2; 13:13; 1 Co. 3:3; 2 Cor. 7:11; 9:2; Phil. 3:6; Col. 4:13).

“Emulations” can have a good meaning which refers to providing impetus to emulate that which was admired in the accomplishments or possessions of others, as Paul used it in 2 Corinthians 11:2.

10—Wrath—in the Greek wrath is “thumos,” and means “fierceness, turbulent passions, domestic and civil turmoils, rage, determined and lasting anger,” fits of rage, explosive anger that flames into violent words or deeds (Lk. 4:28; Acts 19:28; 2 Cor. 12:20; Eph. 4:31; Col. 3:8; Heb. 11:27; Rev. 12:12; 14:8, 10; 19:15).

One of the most complex “works of the flesh” is wrath. It actually has a wide range of meaning, which includes human wrath as well as Divine wrath. Human wrath is devilish and beastly, while Divine wrath is noble and even though destructive at the outset, always tends toward a constructive conclusion.

Wrath as it refers to man, can be translated “rage,” reflecting a sinful hostility that clearly is a mechanism of the flesh. This type of wrath must be banished from the Christianlife . . . the New Testament is quite clear that such displays of temper are sinful manifestations that a man is still in the grip of his own lower nature (the flesh).

11—Strife—in the Greek strife is “erithea,” and means “slyly planned contention, disputations, janglings, strife about words, contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavor to equal or pay back in kind the wrongs done to one, selfish ambition, seeking of power (2 Co. 12:20; Php. 1:16-17).

Paul uses the word clearly in the sense of personal ambition and rivalry which issues in partisanship which sets party above the will of God.

12—Seditions—in the Greek seditions are “dichostasia,” which means “parties and factions, disorder, stirring up strife in religion, government, home, or any other place; factions, division within the congregation into selfish groups or cliques that destroy the unity of the church (1 Co. 11:19).

Actually, seditions is closely related to strife, and is best translated as “divisions.”

Paul is concerned about divisions that are caused by wrong motives which can be traced to the sinful flesh.

13—Heresies—in the Greek heresies is “haireseis,” and means “a truth taken all out of proportion to its accepted meaning; dissensions, introducing divisive teachings not supported by God’s Word (Ro. 16:17).

Paul condemned such sectarianism as “works of the flesh.”

14—Envyings—in the Greek envying is “phthonoi,” and means “ill-will, and jealousy at the good fortune or blessing of another”; the most base of all degrading and disgraceful passions (Mat. 27:18; Mk. 15:10; Rom. 1:29; Phil. 1:15; 1 Tim. 6:4; Tit. 3:3).

Envyings is a totally evil concept. It has no possibilities of good, except in one case, where the Holy Spirit who has been caused to take up His permanent abode in us, has a passionate desire to the point of envy (James 4:5). In human beings it is clearly reflected in these “works of the flesh.”

Men who “live by the flesh” cannot dwell together in unity.”

15—Murders—in the Greek murders is “phonoi,” and refers “to killing another in cold blood, or even to spoil or mar the happiness of another. It also speaks of hatred” (1 Jn. 3:15).

When the word “murder” is used, most believers never think of it being used in the sense of the destruction of one’s reputation or character through gossip or slander, or maliciously trying to do damage to another; however, it means exactly that as well as the taking of the life of a human being in cold blood.

The attempt to hurt other people through gossip and slander, comes from hatred i the heart, and is “murder.”

IV. Excess

16—Drunkenness—in the Greek drunkenness is “methai,” and refers to “living intoxicated, a slave to drink, drinking bouts.”

The world of Paul’s day, recognized drunkenness as shameful and degrading. Even though “drunkenness” has reference to one we might refer to as an “alcoholic,” all who are in that terrible condition, began this journey of destruction with “moderate drinking.”

17—Revellings—in the Greek revellings is “komoi,” and means “lascivious and boisterous feastings, with obscene music, and other sinful activities, pleasures and carousings,” orgies.

Although “revelling” was used in secular Greek to mean simply a celebration, in the New Testament it depicts excesses that can best be described as debauchery.

These “works of the flesh” would place off-limits such establishments as night clubs, bars, etc.

Paul is simply saying that true Christians will not want or desire these things, which stem from the flesh, and never from the Spirit of God.

“And such like,” shows that the writer intended this list to be representative in principle of evils that result from living by the flesh.

It is tragic to realize that these “works of the flesh” are perversions of what is in itself potentially good.

The Christian consequently needs frequently to examine his heart and life in light of Bible teachings and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We must remember that this which Paul preached, was not something out of his own mind, but rather that which the Holy Spirit demanded that he preach. We are not reading the thoughts of Paul, but rather the actual thoughts of God.

The Lord does not save in sin. The believer is being fashioned by the Holy Spirit into the image of the Heavenly, i.e., “Christ.” Considering that we have been purchased by such a great price, the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer, it is incumbent upon us as believers to do His will as it regards to our lives.

The Holy Spirit resides in the heart of every believer. If we engage in wrongdoing, it is because we have overridden the constant warnings of the Holy Spirit, or else, we do not know how to properly look at the cross, which will always guarantee the power of the Holy Spirit expended on our behalf.

The business of the Holy Spirit is to bring about holiness and righteousness in the life of the believer. If God’s will is entertained and sought, worldliness will not be a part of the believer.

Out of our love for Christ, the law of love compels us in certain directions, and if that particular law is followed, the grace of God will be obvious within our lives, and the Holy Spirit can do His work of sanctification in us.

The phrase, “That they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God,” plainly tells us that a person cannot have the world and God at the same tie.

The believer is not excused from ethical responsibilities anymore than is the Jew (Rom. 2). The man in Christ has for the first time the resources to live as God expects Him to.

God does not have a double standard, nor does He view the believer through colored glasses, ignoring his conduct and accepting instead the perfect work of Christ.

There are many who think their conduct doesn’t matter, only their so-called faith in Christ. The truth is, that if we have proper faith in Christ, our conduct will match or faith, and as well match Christ. Multiple millions who claim Christ, are basing their hopes on a fool’s hope. While the Bible teaches eternal security, it is eternal security on God’s terms. God’s terms are those which build holiness and righteousness in the life of the believer.

Every man who lives by the flesh is excluded from the kingdom of God.

The Holy Spirit through Paul is speaking of the habitual practice of such things. The Word of God bases its estimation of a person’s character, not upon his infrequent, out-of-the-ordinary actions, but his habitual ones. Character is what God knows you are.

The Lord will forgive as many times as a person comes to Him seeking forgiveness. Especially considering, that the Holy Spirit has told us how to have victory, and that means constant victory over sis of the flesh, which is through the cross, which insures the help of the Holy Spirit, this means that failure is no longer necessary. Most believers have little knowledge of this great truth, which is actually the bedrock truth of the Word of God.

We all have evil desires that we must not ignore; we must deal with them decisively (in Paul’s terms, crucify them; Gal. 5:24). Surrender all your bad tendencies to Christ and ask God to do whatever is necessary to set you free. Commit your actions and capabilities to Christ, asking the Spirit to help you restrain your evil desires and angry reactions. Make serving others a top priority, which will help you become more like Jesus.