Galatians (23)

Introduction: The church will always be tempted to doubt or confuse what is means to walk by the Holy Spirit. For example, we may want to think that the Holy Spirit simply empowers us to live under the law… that would be a major error. Further, we may be temped to think that the Holy Spirit will lead us to gratify the flesh rather than glorify God.. that too is error.

However, we do not face these temptations without hope. We are not running this marathon of faith without help. We do not enjoy the blessing of the Spirit wrestling against our flesh in a realm of mysterious subjectivity where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. No, rather we have clear, objective, absolute, and authoritative truth that guides every true believer. It is this Gospel Evidence that we are going to discover today; answering this question.

How can we be certain we are being led by the Spirit?

Transition: Read… 5:16-26

In 5:19-24 we have two objective lists that provide the exact measuring rod for evaluating if we are in fact being led by the Spirit or the flesh. How do we know the difference between works of flesh, and works of faith? This is the gospel litmus test that reveals evidence of our faith in Christ. Today, we are going to focus our attention on the first list which is entitled, “works of the flesh”.

The works of flesh are evident: The works of the flesh are the behaviors that are produced from a person who is enslaved to the elementary principles of this world. They are the works flowing out of the spring of a disposition that is by nature a child of wrath. These works of the flesh ARE (emi) the qualifying characteristics of a person because they showcase the state of being a person is in. The works of the flesh are the attitudes, dispositions, and behaviors that erupt from the volcano of a nature that is separated from God and inclined toward evil. Notice, these works are clearly revealed and widely known.

Here is the list… I am going to walk through this list and offer a short definition of each word and a little explanation where needed so that we can focus on the culminating point that is being made in verse 21.

Works of the flesh...

sexual immorality: Any sexual acts that are outside of God’s design. Like acts of fornication, prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, polygamy, and so on.

impurity: moral uncleanliness, untruthfulness that leads to falsehood, especially sexual sin.

sensuality: unrestrained licentiousness of self indulgence. (ie, Rom. 1:24)

Romans 1:24 ESV

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

idolatry: The worship of anything other than God.

sorcery: (pharmakeia) using substances, medicinal potions, to practice magic spells.

enmity: deep seated ill will. Feudal hostility. Hatred.

strife: bitter conflict. Violent dissension. Exasperated contention. (ie. Proverbs 21:9 )

Proverbs 21:9 ESV

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

jealousy: greedy pride. Longing for something that belongs to another. Even something intangible like a skill or quality. Note: Be careful of scrolling social media with an attitude of jealousy where you wish your life could be so good…

fits of anger: Wrathful indignation. Rage monster. A temper that is impassioned with fury and outbursts of anger.

rivalries: Selfish ambition. A strong desire for personal success to point of moral recklessness. I’m going to succeed at all costs, no matter what corners I need to cut.

dissensions: Discord that is rooted in falsehood that splits a group. (ie. In Galatia it was the Judeaizers who were teaching a false gospel, and causing dissension because of their conclusions about circumcision. In Corinth is was those rallying around a person saying, “I am of Paul, or I am of Appllos..”

Which inevitably leads to the next characteristic…

divisions: (hairesis) The word translated in English as heresy. This is a division caused by a faction or party or sect that breaks off from another group because of a false doctrine. (ie. According to church historian Dr. Stephen Nichols. What was so-called the second great awakening in America in western New York around the early 1800’s was often The Burned over district in Western New York was an era of great sin and vice. Revivalist preachers sat up their tents and regularly taught cooperating with God to bring about their salvation (much like what was happening in Galatia) rather than responding to the monergistic work of God bringing about salvation for those who believe in Christ.) Within this area, there cropped up all sorts of groups and movements that we understand today as heresy. One of those groups in this are was led by a man named Joseph Smith who postulated that he had received a vision from the Angel Moroni and wrote down on golden tablets what is now used within the book of Mormon. Church of latter day saints in 1830 was official organized. Right in midst of Burned over district.

envy: resentment and spiteful contempt toward the success of another person. Much like jealousy.

drunkeness: Being under control or intoxicated by the excessive consumption of an alcoholic beverage.

orgies: carousing, the excessive eating and drinking that leads to moral debauchery. You might think , bar hoping.

And just in case we are wiping our brow thinking, I’m sure glad he didn’t mention ________________. He finishes the list with…

And things like these...

Transition: At the end of verse 21 the explanation for this list of the works of the flesh is given.

What does this mean? “Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The little word “do” is a present active participle; which means that a person who is in a state of practicing these activities is not a true child of God inheriting the kingdom of God.

A person in a state of being that practices sin will not inherit the kingdom of God.

It doesn’t mean that a true Christian will never be tempted to indulge in these activities. It doesn't mean that a true Christian will never give into those temptations and actually participate in these sinful behaviors. However, it does mean that a true Christian will not be content to remain in these patterns and practices of sin. Why not? Because of what we discovered in 5:16-18, a true believer has God the Holy Spirit living in them fighting against the flesh and will continue to do this blessed work of transforming our desires until the day of Christ.

What are the primary characteristics that identify me?

If Jesus, who knows your heart better than you do, were to reveal the evidence of your life would He say any of these areas are the continual and consistent patterns of your life? Be warned!!

Am I content to continue sinning?

If you are truly a Christian today and are living in patterns of the flesh and the Holy Spirit is wrestling against that flesh... then reveal your true identity and repent of those sinful patterns and turn to Christ. Cut off the hand that causes you to sin and walk with the Spirit. Run to your father with open arms, confessing your sin and welcome the truth of the gospel that Christ died for that sin and be clean from that unrighteousness. If you do not turn away from sin, you reveal yourself to remain under the law and not a true believer.

Repent and believe the gospel.