Attributes, Bible, Choices, Flesh, Hostilities, Idols, Jealousy, Scripture, Strife, Witchcraft

DEEDS OF THE FLESH, PART 2

GALATIANS 5:20

“idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,”

We continue today in the list of things Paul named as “deeds of the flesh.” Hang on with me. Don’t let me lose you. Some of these words really get defined well when we look at the Greek word. Mark this blog down as a word study. I believe these words are here for a reason for us today.

Verse 20 begins with “idolatry” which is just a worship of idols, false gods. While most of us have not been exposed to that directly, there are still billions of people around the world who are engaged in this practice.

“Witchcraft” is the Greek word , pharmakeía, which comes from pharmakeuō, “administer drugs”). It refers to drug-related sorcery, like the practice of magical-arts.

“Hostilities” is literally hatred. God hates hatred. Does that sound ironic? Listen, God is repulsed by our hatred towards one another.

“Strife” means to quarrel. It’s a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute. We all know people like that, right? I pray none of us are like that.

“Jealousy” is burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, boiling from heat.” This word can be used both positively and negatively. You can be jealous for God. You can have a godly zeal for Him. But most of the time, jealously is not a good thing.

When “outbursts of anger” is used of people it indicates rage (personal venting of anger, worth). This flaw is completely absent of the Lord expressing (inspiring) intense anger. It is used of God’s perfect, holywrath in Revelation 14:10,19,15:1). This anger is directed against sin with intense opposition and without sin. [Only the Lord exercises righteous wrath, so we must depend solely on Him as we experience or express anger.]

“Selfish ambition” is acting for one’s own gain, regardless of the discord or strife it causes. 

“Dissensions” is used of divisions which wrongly separate people into pointless (groundless) factions. Used here and in Romans 16:17. “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”

Finally, we have the word “factions.” The term stresses the personal aspect of choice. It was how being a Sadducee (Acts 5:17) was sharply distinguished from being a Pharisee (Acts 15:5; 26:5). We form factions over the smallest disagreements. We are told preserve unity, not factions.

None of these fleshly attributes should be used to describe us. We must represent our Lord in all that we do. Most of these mentioned in today’s verse are sins against others. Would you go through this list again and pray against them so they will not be present in your life?

Father, keep me walking in the Spirit and away from these deeds of the flesh.

(Most of these definitions today came from HELPS Word-Studies)

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Battles, Bible, Choices, Evil, Flesh, Immorality, Impurity, Scripture

DEEDS OF THE FLESH, PART 1

GALATIANS 5:19

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior,

I probably do not need to explain to any of you who are reading this devotional today what “deeds of the flesh” are. Over the next few days, we will look at Paul’s list of some of the deeds. This list is by no means a complete list. Even though we think today’s society is so wicked, we can see that the same things were going on back when Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians. As we go through this list, ask yourself if you are manifesting any of these.

Paul says in today’s verse that these deeds of the flesh “are evident.” The Greek word is phaneros, which means to be made public, to be disclosed or exposed. In other words, you can’t hide these deeds. Paul is going to list fifteen things that people were doing then, and we know are happening now. People think they can do many of these things in secret, but rest assured they will all be exposed one day.

APPLICATION

The first one Paul mentions is “sexual immorality.” We get our word “pornography” from this Greek word. It’s the selling off of sexual purity, promiscuity. Closely related to that word is the next word Paul uses, “impurity.” This word literally means “not clean.” This can be in a physical or moral sense. Ephesians 5:3 says this about these two, “But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints;”

Then Paul mentions “indecent behavior.” This word is translated as outrageous conduct, conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence, wantonness and lewdness. I think you get the picture with that one. Peter uses this word in 2 Peter 2:2, “Many will follow their indecent behavior, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;” Our behaviors can mar the truth of God in our lives.

I think John says it well concerning these behaviors just mentioned. 1 John 3:10 says, “By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother and sister.”

Father, help to avoid these behaviors and to live for You each day.

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Bible, Following, Holy Spirit, Leading, Scripture, Submission

LED BY THE SPIRIT

GALATIANS 5:18

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”

There have been many decisions that I have made in my life as a believer that were not led by the Spirit. I simply chose to do what I wanted to do because I wanted to do it. Those decisions seldom if ever turned out for the best. But whenever my wife and I prayed about a matter and listened to the Spirit’s direction, things turned out better. I am not saying it was always the easiest way, but it was the better way.

Paul knew all too well the controlling power of the Law. He knew how it bound people to a rigid, unforgiving, impossible lifestyle. Once he was set free by Jesus on that Damascus road, Paul couldn’t wait to tell others about this freedom. Read Acts 9 sometime and see how Paul responded. He says in today’s verse that we are to be “led by the Spirit.” What does that mean?

APPLICATION

Being led somewhere is very different than being driven or pushed somewhere. Let me give you an example. Get a piece of string and lay it on a table so it’s straight. Now place your finger on one end of that string and push it towards the other end. What happens? The string just bunches up in a wad. Now, straighten it out again and this time, place your finger on one end and pull the string away from the other end. What happens? The rest of the string follows. That’s “being led.”

In Luke 4:1, we see Jesus being led by the Spirit. “Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness.” The Spirit doesn’t always lead us somewhere that is comfortable. He led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Jesus submitted to the Spirit in order to show Satan who was boss!

Over in Romans 8:14 Paul says, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.” We should follow the one God has sent to dwell within us. Do you understand that the God of the universe indwells you through the Holy Spirit? That person of the trinity lives in each of us if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior. So, follow Him.

Forgive me, Lord, when I buck up and refuse to follow Your Spirit. I know He only wants what is best for me. 

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Attacks, Battles, Bible, Choices, Defeat, Enemies, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Opponents, Scripture

BEING AGAINST SOMETHING

GALATIANS 5:17

“For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.”

A lot of times when we hear someone is against something we automatically assume it’s a negative reaction to something. There are some things in this world that we need to be against. We should be against child abuse in any form. We should be against domestic violence against men or women. We should be against heresy in the church. And we should be against the deeds of the flesh, which is Paul’s topic in today’s verse.

Paul is discussing the battle we are up against every day with our flesh. He says the Spirit (which resides in each of us as believers) is in opposition to our flesh (which we are born with – that old sin nature). The Greek word he uses here for “opposition” is used eight times in the New Testament, six times by Paul himself. It can be translated as enemy. Get the picture. Our flesh is no friend to the Spirit. So, each day we must destroy that flesh and yield to the Spirit.

APPLICATION

Antikeimai is defined as “someone being thoroughly unreconcilable.” You have probably heard of a couple divorcing due to “irreconcilable differences.” That’s the picture here. Our flesh and the Spirit cannot coexist. Many believers try to do that. They are trying to live in the world according to fleshly standards. It just won’t work. The world will eat you up. It loves to cater to the flesh. It will not honor the Spirit.

Now, we can’t escape this flesh as long as we are in this world, but we should always stand against it. I shared earlier in this study in Galatians my life verse, which is Galatians 2:20. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

My flesh has been crucified with Christ. It is dead to this world. I still have the choice each day whether to let it resurrect itself in my life or to keep it nailed to that cross. I choose today to live by the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that I can communicate directly with my Lord. Don’t you desire the same? Today, choose Spirit over flesh.

Thank You, Lord, for giving me a new life in the Spirit. Help me keep that flesh defeated each day.

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Bible, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Submission, Walking

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

GALATIANS 5:16

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

Walking the right way is important. When our feet are messed up, that makes it difficult. If we walk improperly, it can throw our whole gait off and affect our back. If our back is bothering us, that can affect our neck and head. And it all began with our feet not being healthy. As one who suffers from bad feet due to neuropathy, I can relate to this combination effect on my body.

Following up from his previous statement in verse 15, Paul makes a simple, yet profound truth. That little word “but” means a contrast from the previous statement is coming. Paul is about to get into a major contrast between flesh and Spirit in verses 19-23 of this chapter. Hang on to your hat. But here, he simply says to walk by the Spirit. Actually, the Greek says, “Spirit walk.” And the verb “walk” is in the present imperative, which means it’s a command to keep walking.

APPLICATION

What does it mean to walk by the Spirit? That sounds awfully churchy, doesn’t it? It really isn’t that complicated. I like what Albert Barnes says about this verse, “the only way to overcome the corrupt desires and propensities of our nature, is by submitting to the influences of the Holy Spirit. It is not by philosophy; it is not by mere resolutions to resist them; it is not by the force of education and laws; it is only by admitting into our souls the influence of religion and yielding ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit of God. If we live under the influences of that Spirit, we need not fear the power of the sensual and corrupt propensities of our nature.”

I read somewhere else that “If the spirit that is in us can be at ease under sin, it is not a spirit that comes from the Holy Spirit.” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary) The two cannot co-exist. There is not enough room for both to work in your life. You are either in the flesh or in the Spirit. Look what Paul says in Romans 6:8, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”

So, let me ask you – how are you walking today? Are you walking to please that old fleshly heart of yours, trampling underfoot anyone who gets in your way? Or are you submitting your will to His will and letting the Holy Spirit guide you? He will never, ever lead you astray. Every step you take under the influence of Jesus is one step closer to God. Trust that!

O Father, help me walk by the Spirit and not my flesh this day and every day.

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Backbiting, Battles, Bible, Consequences, Destruction, Devour, Enemies, Gospel, Scripture

BACKBITING

GALATIANS 5:15

“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.”

We have all probably experienced the painful results of backbiting. Backbiting is defined as “malicious talk about someone who is not present.” If that has been done to you, you know the distrust it can bring. I pray you are not the one that has been doing it. It is never edifying and always destructive.

That’s where we find Paul today – addressing the issue of backbiting (or at least the possibility of it) among the Galatians. Paul uses some pretty descriptive words in this verse. In the application below I want to look at three words – bite, devour and consume. He paints a picture that no Christian should want to be a part of.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “bite” is not used in reference to animals biting. It is only used once, right here in the New Testament. It literally means to harm seriously, to backbite, to bite. It is not a little nibble. It is an intentional, meant-to-harm bite. This kind of bite leaves a mark, a wound. If you have experienced this, you know what I mean.

Secondly, Paul uses the Greek word translated “devour.” This word means to “eat all the way down (figuratively) utterly devour, leaving nothing; ferociously consume all the way down,” In Matthew 23:14, Jesus says, “‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses even while for appearances’ sake you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.’” The one doing the devouring intends to completely destroy the other person.

Finally, we see the word “consume.” It is only used twice in the New Testament. Here and in Luke 9:54, which interestingly enough is when James and John asked Jesus if he wanted them to call down fire from heaven to consume a village. They were upset about being rebuffed by them and wanted them wiped out. Oftentimes, the one doing the backbiting is motivated out of hurt they feel towards the other person.

So, what do these three words teach us about the perils of backbiting? It is never constructive, but always destructive. It brings harm to the one doing the backbiting as well as the one being talked about. It has no place in the family of God and will do nothing to help spread the message of the Gospel. If you are a victim of this, forgive. If you are the perpetrator, stop. It’s that simple.

Father, let us love in word and deed. Let us show others the love of Jesus every day.

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Bible, Blessing, Love, Neighbors, Obedience, Scripture

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

GALATIANS 5:14

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

We are told throughout Scripture to love our neighbors. I have been fortunate to have neighbors who were easy to love. There have been a couple who were harder to love than others, but I still loved them. I have heard horror stories about neighbors, though. Some neighbors don’t want to be loved and resent the fact that you would even say that. Let’s take a look at this commandment and see what the Lord meant by this.

In today’s verse, Paul quotes from Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” The ten commandments are divided into two parts – commands regarding our relationship to God (#’s 1-4) and commands regarding our relationship to others (#’s 5-10). Being a former Pharisee, Paul was well acquainted with the law. But now he sees the merits of the law in a whole new light. Before, without Christ, he saw the impossibility of this command to love your neighbor. But in Christ, all things are possible.

APPLICATION

Paul expanded his thoughts on this subject in Romans 13:8-10. “8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,’ and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

And we can’t forget the words of our Savior in Matthew 19:19. “‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’” And over in Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus explains to the Pharisee, “37 And He said to him, ‘“YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.” 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 40 Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.’”

So, between Paul’s words and the words of Christ, we should have no questions about if we should love our neighbors. Love them because Jesus loves them. Love them because they need the love of Christ in their lives. Love them because through loving them, you will be blessed. Love someone today.

O Lord, loving isn’t easy, but through You it is possible.

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Bible, Freedom, Gifts, Grace, Holy Spirit, Scripture, Service

SERVE ONE ANOTHER

GALATIANS 5:13

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”

Ministry is all about service. Sometimes that can be a problem, especially when someone takes advantage of it. Having served on several church staffs over my 45 years of ministry, I have encountered a few people who felt like the church staff were their personal errand boys and girls. It would be easy to get into the flesh and get angry and frustrated. It takes humility to serve someone like that.

Paul, once again, emphasizes the Galatians’ freedom in Christ in today’s verse. They were not enslaved any longer to sin, nor were they enslaved to the Mosaic law full of rituals and traditions. However, they were not free to do as they pleased. He says instead to “serve one another through love.” Why do you think he said that? Why would the Holy Spirit inspire Paul to tell them to use their freedom to serve?

APPLICATION

Peter says a similar thing in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.” Ahhh! Now, Paul’s words make more sense. Now, hang on as I lay this out.

When we come to Christ, we are free from all those things I mentioned earlier, but we are also given the gifts of the Spirit. As we use these gifts in the body of Christ (as they are intended), as we serve one another, we think less of ourselves and more of others. When we do that, we are much less likely to use this freedom to indulge our flesh. Our minds are not on pleasing ourselves. It is on pleasing the Father by serving His body.

Paul gives another warning about this freedom the Galatians now had in Christ. In 1 Corinthians 8:9 he writes, “But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” If we are serving one another, the last thing we want to do is be a stumbling block. We want to build them up in Christ. Go be a servant today!

Lord, help me take my eyes off of me and look for ways to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Admonished, Battles, Bible, Circumcision, Enemies, Grace, Law, Obedience, Scripture

NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS

GALATIANS 5:12

“I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.”

There are times when we are dealing with difficult people that we wish they could see themselves as we see them. We wish they could feel the hurt they are inflicting on us or others. I am not saying that is a right or godly thought. I am just speaking the truth. Most of us have felt that way before. If they could just get a dose of their own medicine. Am I right?

Well, I can’t say that I can read the mind of Paul, but it almost seems he is feeling this way in today’s verse towards those people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law, especially the law of circumcision. Scholars debate the meaning of this verse widely. Some say it says just what you think it says, that Paul wishes those people would castrate themselves. In other words, that they would go beyond circumcision and mutilate themselves. Other scholars say the Greek words here imply that he wishes they would separate themselves from the church and go their own way. Whatever Paul meant, he wanted these Judaizers out of the life of these Galatians because they were causing trouble.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our life. Thanks for the challenge, lol. In Book 4 of the Every Man A Warrior curriculum, we deal with Purity. In fact, book 4 is entitled Every Man A Pure Warrior. One of the skills we practice in that book is amputation. Yep, amputation. We teach men to cut off those things in their life that are leading them in an impure lifestyle. That may include cutting people out of your life who lead you astray. I like what Paul says in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Even in Philippi Paul was dealing with these people who wanted to put others up under this false teaching.

Anyone who wants to put you under the law needs to be held at arm’s length. Do not let them influence you in your spiritual journey. Remember, Paul has been preaching freedom through this entire letter to the Galatians. Don’t think those people only lived back then. We have people just like that today who are members of our churches. They have their own list of do’s and don’ts for you to adhere to.

So, what do you do? How do you live in such an environment. You saturate yourself with the Word of God. You let it direct you. All we need is Jesus. He gives us everything we need. You need not add one thing to what He requires – acceptance of His grace. Amen? Now go live free!

Lord, forgive me when I put things on myself that I think make me more spiritual. All I need is You.  

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Battles, Bible, Protection, Safety, Scripture, Stumbling

STUMBLING BLOCKS

GALATIANS 5:11

“But as for me, brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been eliminated.”

I have been having trouble the past few years since I developed neuropathy in my feet. I stumble easily. I have to watch where I step and how fast I walk. The problem is really my toes. They are pretty much numb all the time. It’s hard to balance and not trip when you can’t feel your toes. So, just about any rock or stick that protrudes from the grown can literally be my downfall.

The Greek word for “stumbling block” used in today’s verse by Paul means “the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the unsuspecting victim)” (HELPS Word-studies). The word is used 15 times in the New Testament in various ways. Let me encourage you to do a word study on the word. The reason Paul uses the word here is to show the Galatians the futility of trying to keep the law. There were those among them who insisted that circumcision be done for all male believers. Paul says emphatically that he did not preach circumcision (no matter what anyone might say) for if he had, there would have been no issue with the Jews and the cross.

APPLICATION

We all have to deal with stumbling blocks in our life, don’t we? Jesus even did. In Matthew 16:22-23, in fact, he calls Peter one. “22 And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!’ 23 But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.’” Peter was an obstacle for Jesus here. There is no room for stumbling blocks in our lives.

John uses the word in 1 John 2:10. “The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling.” That makes sense, doesn’t it? If you are walking in the light, you are less likely to stumble on something. When we walk in the light of Jesus, those things that try to trip us up are exposed and we can avoid them. Are you walking in the light?

I pray you are not being that stumbling block like Peter was in Matthew 16. We can be you know. We can do or say things that can cause someone to stumble. Don’t do that. Keep your path straight. Keep it free of debris. Don’t let yourself get caught up in something that could cause someone else to fall. Remember, walk in the light!

O Lord, keep me from stumbling or from being a stumbling block.

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