GALATIANS 5:21
“envy, 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.”
Over the past few days, we have been looking at Paul’s descriptive list of the “deeds of the flesh.” While not totally exhaustive, it is a long list of fifteen things. We will finish up that list in today’s verse and look at Paul’s closing remarks on them.
Paul mentions three other deeds of the flesh in verse 21 which are pretty comprehendible. We all know what “envy” is, right? It’s really being glad at someone’s misfortune. Yuk! “Drunkenness” is well…drunkenness. Enough said. “Carousing” is a little better defined as “a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality.” (Helps Word-studies)
APPLICATION
In order to really understand these fifteen deeds of the flesh that he lists here, Paul wraps it up this way, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Wow! That’s pretty heavy. If Paul were to say that in our society today, he might get stoned again. But the key to his statement is the word translated as “practice.” It’s the Greek word, prasso, and means to make this a regular liftstyle.
Let’s face it – we all slip up every once in a while. We read in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Only Jesus walked this earth is sinless perfection. Paul warns us that if practice these deeds we will not see heaven. That should be enough to keep someone on the straight and narrow, but it isn’t.
Paul knew that fear tactics would not work. He had tried to drive fear into the early believers as a Pharisee to make them recount their faith. Paul know only the love of Christ is enough to lead people to the cross. What is your driving force today for the choices you make? Your flesh? Fear? Greed? Or is it the love of Jesus?
Lord, I run from these fleshly enticements and into Your arms.