RELATIONSHIPS: Ruled by the Spirit/Ruined by the Flesh - YOUR CHOICE! pt 2

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Galatians 5:19–24 NASB95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Paul continues to encourage and warn against adopting and practicing these “deeds” or “works” of the flesh. They are damaging, destructive and detrimental to our relationship to God and to others.

It corrodes your spirit and quenches the Holy Spirit and stifles the opprtunity for you to be shaped in the image of God’s Son.

These seven (7) have a direct impact on relationships between brethren, which was an issue in the Galatian church, and quite frankly, has been an issues in churches ever since.

It can wreck your walk with God, your realtionship with others, and a congregation

Paul wants the Spirit’s lead to have priority over our own, specifically, how we deal with each other.

Such habitual, committed practice of these things forfeits our inheritance and reaps corruption, chaos and confusion in our lives.

Remember how Paul describes these “deed”

Vs. 17 He said they are “set” against the Spirit

Vs. 17 He said they have desires - they want to be fulfilled. They are not just liming in a corner waiting for you to engage with it

It’s tugging at you, pulling you, calling you, asking you to respond, drawing you, nagging at you until it gets its way in your life. It is actively engaging your mind and heart everytime a decision must be made, every time an action is to be performed, every time a response is needed. It engages the mind, it wants center stage

This can only be countered by the the Spirit and His instruction - this is complicated when we lean on perverted gospels that are driven by merit and performance. Gospels infused with human ideology and preferences. Gospels interwined with traditional beliefs and practices. CHRIST plus teachings can’t conquer the flesh!

These vices, also seem to act as gateways to other corrupting, malignant, cancerous activities and attitudes that only give the devil an upper hand.

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood”

Paul said, “I told you this before, and I am telling you again”

This repetious declaration and divulging, of this matter communicates to us that, this is serious, Paul is serious. God is serious!

We need to be serious

“Get Real, about your vices” “Clear out your tent”

Get it right with God. Get rid of the pride and ego that is justifying bad behaviour and dispostions instead of rectifying it.

Our God waits, but He did not say He will wait forever!

# Disputes

Strife (KJV) Rivalries (ESV) Selfish ambition (NLT)

The word means “Selfish Ambition” which is simply, a motive of the heart that is driven by personal gain.

This does not seem bad, because we all need to have personal goals, aims and dreams. We all have things we want to achieve, we don’t want to be called lazy, “unambitious”.

Selfish amibiton masquerades as good works, it has the facade of friendliness - and it becomes so important to the individual that it begins to corrupt their motive through pride.

It is an excessive interest in self and your own advancement. You don’t do it, or enjoy doing it, unless you are in the spotlight, or you gain some advantage.

It was a political word used of individuals that were vying or campaigning for office, they would do various things/even good things to promote themselves.

This word teaches us that God isn’t just concerned about your service/good works/performance but He wants to know what is driving your good works?

Do I need to one-up/show-up someone else?

Do I need to make a name for myself in the process?

Do I need to become for visible in the brotherhood/congregation?

Do I need to benefit from this work/deed?

Am I going to feature in some major/visible/prominent way?

If these are behind my activity, then I might be suffering from selfish ambition. Paul says it is corrupting, because it doesn’t show the heart of Jesus!

Romans 2:8 “8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”

For Paul in Romans, it was “striving after your own glory and honour through works. Romans 2:7 “7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;”

Keep your eyes on glory - Learn to lift your eyes on higher things - Colossians 3:1 “1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” - Lay up not for yourself

When I look at Jesus, I see a contrast with selfish ambition - “the Son of Man came not be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many” - I also see how to deal with selfish ambition

Philippians 2:2 “2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Philippians 2:3 “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;” (“regard” consider, think about, ponder, to have an opinion of)

Philippians 2:4 “4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (notice carefully, be concerned about, keep thinking about) - these are all founded on the attitude Jesus had toward us. He saw some spiritually unattractive people and still left heaven to minister to us.

Philippians 2:5–8 (KJV 1900)

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Paul instructs the Galatians later on, to “bear one another’s burdens” - that’s hard to do if I’m only thinking about how I could benefit.

Paul instructs the Galatians to help those overtaken by a fault, that’s hard to do if I’m only thinking about how I could advance myself.

Galatians 6:6 “6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” - That’s hard to do if I’m only thinking about myself

# Dissensions

A disruption of unity in the community. Splitting the community into pieces. It’s related to strife and movement away from the gospel.

It is sinfull to intenttionally divide brethren. We understand things will happen and there will be disagreements and dissenting voices, even when the word of God is considered. But to intentionally divide brethren is sinful and it reaps corruption in relationships and in the church.

Proverbs 6:16–19 “16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.”

Consider how those who were contrary to the gospel caused dissension and hindrances.

Romans 16:17 “17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

These things can also accompany good works.

Philippians 1:15–17 “15 Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 17 the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.”

Dissension truly shows that we are losing our sense of purpose, and are wrapped up in items of the flesh and not of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 3:3 “3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?”

We testify to the world a distorted gospel, when we let dissensions persist among us. They will come but need to learn how to navigate them before the destroy us.

# Factions

Tranlated sect 6x in Acts. It describes a separate group or party.

Really, it is the unfortunate outcome of strife, selfish ambitions, dissensions that are not checked or confronted.

This has happened in churches, then another church opens down the road. What that might be is, a sect, with a “COC” label.

If dissensions show we are losing our sense of purpose, factions show we have lost it.

Paul doesn’t want the brethren to get this far. Get real about your vices.

Deal with your flesh

Ephesians 4:1–3 “1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

I can’t be busy with this and trying to start a movement at the same time.

John 17:20–21 “20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

God is calling you this morning

To deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him

What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and suffer the loss ofhis own soul?

What are you willing to sacrifice for Jesus? - Do you always have to have it your way

Our saviour gave it all up to free us from the pull, power and persuasiveness of the flesh, only for you to let it reign in your life?

Let’s get serious, before it ruins us for Good!

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Closing call

Confess, repent, Stay on course

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 “18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions (schisma = social dissension) exist among you; and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.”