Galatians 5:19-21
FLESH CONTROLLED LIFE / LIFE IN THE FLESH
(Mt. 15:19; Mark 7:21-23; Col. 3:5-9)
Christian freedom means walking in the Spirit. Christian freedom is not liberty to indulge in one’s fallen nature, or flesh. In order for believers to recognize when they are walking in the flesh Paul gives a partial list of some of the expressions of man’s unregenerated nature.
Man’s flesh has definite ways it tempts and wars against the spiritual man. The flesh is a deadly enemy which is capable of completely defeating a believer and keeping him from pleasing God with a holy life.
The various ways which the desires of the flesh manifest themselves can be set forth in four areas. [Lightfoot, Zondervan Com. Galatians, 210]
I. SEXUAL TEMPTATIONS, 19.
II. WORSHIP TEMPTATIONS, 20a.
III. RELATIONSHIP TEMPTATIONS, 20b-21a.
IV. DISCIPLINE TEMPTATIONS, 21b.
The list of the works of the flesh can be readily compiled because, as verse 19 begins, they are obvious or observed publically. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident.
So begins the cataloging of the first of two lists. There is a clearly defined and observable standard by which we can determine if we are walking in the flesh or in the Spirit. Each can be detected by their distinctive behavioral characteristics.
If a person does not yield to the Spirit, the flesh will dominate his or her life. Again, the flesh is man as he has become in contrast with man as God wants him to be. The flesh represents human nature as it has become through sin. The flesh is what gives sin it’s opportunity within our lives.
"No army can invade a country from the sea unless it can obtain a bridgehead. Temptation would be powerless to affect men, unless there was something already in man to respond to temptation. Sin could gain no foothold in a man’s mind and heart and soul and life unless there was an enemy within the gates who was willing to open the door to sin. The flesh is exactly the bridgehead through which sin invades the human personality. The flesh is like the enemy within the gates who opens the way to the enemy who is pressing the gates." (Barclay, Flesh & Spirit, 24)
How we need to crucify the flesh and live in the Spirit so we do not allow the flesh to open up our life to the deeds of the flesh.
The first three vices listed in this representative catalog of fifteen deeds of the flesh are in the realm of sex. They are immorality, impurity, sensuality.
Sexual immorality (porneia) is often translated "fornication". From this word our word pornography is derived. It refers to all forms of illicit sexual relationships such as premarital and extramarital sex. As it is today sexual impurity was common in the ancient world so it initiates this list of vices.
Impurity (a-kathorsia) is a broad term referring to moral uncleanliness in word, thought, desire or deed (Eph 5:3-4). In a medical sense it was used for the pus or impurities of an unclean wound. It is an infection of moral consciousness and purity. An unclean person sees dirt in everything (Titus 1:15).
Sensuality, wantonness or debauchery (aselgeia) emphasizes the lack of self-control that characterizes a person who gives free run to the impulses of his sinful nature. It is a readiness for sensual pleasure. If it feels good, do it. The wanton person no longer cares what people think or say about his actions.
We live in a world in which sex is over emphasized in thousands of ways. Many people are making sex their idol, giving themselves to it in complete disregard for its holy and rightful place in life. Though Paul’s words were written to an ancient pagan world they apply like the morning news to our promiscuous culture today. Sex devotees want to be free to do as they wish but are really locked into dreadful bondage.
II. WORSHIP TEMPTATIONS (20a)
Paul next cites temptations in the realm of worship. They are idolatry and sorcery.
Idolatry (eíd lon) is the temptation to rebel against worshiping the only true God. This idolatry takes place when we place anything be it pleasure, money, things, toys, work or even people or families before God. When we place anything before God we have created a god of our own making. God must be in the place and priority of God, if not something else is being given His priority and place. What ever a person is devoted to instead of or more than God is his god.
Witchcraft or sorcery springs from the desire to be in control of others through contact with the mysterious spirit world. It indicates various kinds of magic or enchantments intended to put spiritual powers under one’s control. (The opposite is actually what occurs). Ouija boards, tarot cords, seances, spiritualism, levitation, astrology, New Age meditation are some of the doors of this temptation.
It is interesting that the Greek word (pharmakeia) translated sorcery is the word from which we get pharmacy and refers to drugs or the administration of drugs. Drugs used for a sensation or mind-expanding experience open the user up to the sorcery of the spirit world and place one into a satanic utilization that even can lead to demonic control.
III. RELATIONSHIP TEMPTATIONS (20b-21a)
People want to be with their own kind. Under the Spirit’s guidance this results in fellowship, the building of community life, the give and take of goods and services and the building of a wholesome social order. But when satan is given power in human relations he turns a paradise into a jungle. It maybe a jungle of concrete steel and stone. But it becomes an in-fighting jungle struggling for survival just the same. Paul describes such tragedy in verses 20b-21a. The nine social evils listed are enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying.
Enmities are feeling of hostility or hatred. They express themselves in dark, ugly feeling of bitterness, contempt, or loathing of another person. [Greek abstract nouns are often used in the plural to signify manifestation or demonstrations of the quality denoted in the singular, and thus mean "displays of" or "actions expressing" that quality. [Longenecker, Word Biblical Com. Gal., 253]
Strife is discord, contention or quarreling. The Greek word used here, Eris, was also the name for the goddess of strife. Strife is born of envy and ambition. It is the desire for attention and the compulsion to prove that we are right. Etmologically this word had mainly to do with rivalry for prizes.
God hates those who spread strife and discord (Prov. 6:16-19). The sowing of discord or strife is so serious that Paul wrote in Titus 3:10 that the church should expel a factious person after two warning. Praise God that a person may be saved from such things through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jealousy (zelous) or envy is not just desiring what someone else has but being embittered because some one else has it. If you cannot take pleasure in the accomplishments or abilities of others you are susceptible to jealousy. It also manifests a lack of self-acceptance and thankfulness to God that we have worth and significance in Him because we were created according to His design.
Outbursts of anger, or fits of rage or temper (thymoí). It is temper out of control. The temptation to strike out at anything or one that threatens self interests. The word was used of the rapid burning of dry grass. It flames up quickly like the eruption of a volcano. It is the eruption of unrighteous anger.
Disputes or selfish ambitions (eritheiai) are fueled by envy and pride. It is self-seeking rivalry due to selfish motivation. It is the desire to pull others down who we feel in any way are a threat to us. It displays itself in willingness to get ahead at the expense of others (Phil. 2:3). It was used to describe the man who wants political office not from any motive of service but for what he can get out of it.
Dissensions (dichostaíai, lit. standing apart) are organized self-gratifying groups or people joined together to get their own way. These politicized groups are organized to tear something apart instead of bringing something together (1 Cor.11:19).
Divisions or factions (hairéseis) are usually caused by hurtful separations brought about by nonessential teachings or opinions. People who hold different opinions or views end up disliking not the other’s views but the other person. It should be possible to differ with a man and yet remain friends.
Deed number nine of relationship temptations in verse 21 is envying, ill will or malice (phthónoi). Envying is a wrongful desire to possess what belongs to someone else. More than that it begrudges the fact that the other person has these things at all. It also includes the idea of malice and ill-will (Mt. 27:18; Mk. 15:10) toward those who have what is wanted.
An intriguing 3-page automobile ad in the Wall Street Journal reminded me how the secular world capitalizes on our TENDENCY TO ENVY. Page 1 shows a 1960 Mark II Jaguar. The caption reads: "Just as this was the envy of the automotive world..." Then on pages 2 and 3 is a picture of a brand-new Jaguar, and the caption continues, "Once again envy will be standard equipment."
Now, I know it’s not a sin to want a Jaguar. But if I become discontented and resentful toward my neighbor because he owns one and I don’t, I have a serious envy problem.
Here Paul ranked envy with the sins of adultery, strife, and drunkenness. This may surprise us until we consider the destructive power of this sinful attitude. Envy drove Joseph’s brothers to sell him into Egypt ( Acts 7:9). Envy fueled Paul’s opponents in Thessalonica to start a riot to thwart the Gospel. Envy motivated the chief priests to hand over Jesus to be crucified (Mk.15:10). Even when it doesn’t lead to such cruel actions, envy takes the place of love and hurts relationships (1 Cor. 13:4). When you turn green with envy, you are ripe for trouble.
We need the Lord to help us recognize envy and remove it from our hearts. We don’t want it to become standard equipment in our lives.
From seeds of envy in the heart
Spring bitter weeds of hate;
if they take root and get a start,
much strife they’ll generate. [Our Daily Bread]
All these fleshly attitude and actions result in separating people from people, individual from individual. The deeds of the flesh have nothing to do with healing and peacemaking, but hurting and peace breaking. They have to do with wanting and getting our own way, without yielding to the will and way of God.
IV. DISCIPLINE TEMPTATIONS (21).
Two sins associated with alcohol fall into a fourth category of temptations; drunkenness, carousing, These sins represent the loss of self-discipline and out of control appetites.
Drunkenness (methai) refers to excessive use of drink by individuals. It is the temptation to use intoxicants to produce an temporary escape from facing our sins and responsibilities. It is seeking an artificial sense of well being which people crave that can only be found in being filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph.5:18).
Carousing from kosmos or world could be translated wild parties, or disorderly gatherings. It is when people let their themselves and their sins run free and wild.
Paul adds, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, to state that this is not a complete list. He could have added many more ugly features to this awful picture of human passion gone hay-wire. They are attitudes or activities that are self-centered and calculated to disrespect people, hurt people, and separate people from people.
The text continues with a reminder of what Paul had previously told his readers in person. Literally, "the ones practicing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God". The ones practicing renders a present participle that could be translated -those who make such things the habit of their lives. Those that practice these evils prove themselves not to be born of God. The fact that a believer is not under law but under grace is no excuse for living in sin (Rom. 6:15).
We all have evil desires and we can’t ignore them. They will not simply go away. In order for us to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance we must deal decisively with them by the power of the Cross (5:24). Those who continually ignore such sins or refuse to deal with them reveal that they have not received the gift of the Spirit that combats sins in order to lead us into a transformed life.
CONCLUSION
Be honest with yourself, do any of these deeds describe parts of your life? If so you are being led by the flesh. If so don’t lose hope. God will forgive and cleanse any sin for which a person truly turns away from or repents. Christ can save the foulest sinner. By genuine faith in Jesus you can desist from this kind of living. By faith claim victory through Christ’s death for sin and to sin on the Cross. Also lay hold of the leading of the Holy Spirit power which raise Jesus from the dead. Live in the resurrected power of the new life.
And if you do slip occasionally, this same repentance can restore you to God’s grace. Die daily to the flesh and its deeds, and daily ask God to lead you by His Holy Spirit. Such a Holy Spirit led life is the only way to prevent being controlled by the flesh.
