Paul the apostle has been
sharing with the church members at Galatia about the war between the
spirit and the flesh within every believer in Jesus Christ. He has
told them that if they would be led by the spirit of God they would
not fulfill the lusts of the flesh and would not be under the law.
However, how were the Galatians to know the difference between the
works of the flesh and the works of the spirit? In Galatians chapter
five and verse nineteen Paul begins to tell them and us how the flesh
manifests itself, and the list is daunting. He wrote:
Now the works of the
flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Paul
began, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest,...” The
word “manifest” means apparent, evident or plainly
recognized or known. In order for those reading Paul's words to be
crystal clear about how the flesh is easily recognized, Paul begins
this list, and each of these have an origin within the fleshly
desires.
Number one: Adultery.
Adultery is basically an affair that is outside one's marriage. It
may be defined as
carrying on, cheating, extracurricular activity, a fling,
hanky-panky, immorality, infidelity, playing around, or two-timing.
Jesus said in the gospel of Matthew in chapter five and verse
twenty-seven and twenty-eight:
You
have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit
adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust
after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
In other words, adultery is
a work of the flesh that not only manifests itself on the outside,
but may also be within a person's heart.
Number two: Fornication.
Fornication in the Greek
language is the word “porneia”
and has the idea of illicit sexual relations outside of a marriage.
This work of the flesh “manifests” itself in a monstrous manner
today with pornography and sexual relationships abounding that are
not within a marriage. We may wonder why this epidemic is so
prevalent in our day, but if we keep in context with Paul the
apostles words, we will see that this is another manifestation of the
fleshly nature.
Number
three: Uncleanness.
Uncleanness is related to physical things and in a moral sense means
lustful, luxurious, and profligate living. It has the idea of impure
motives, and those who are driven to manage their lives in unclean
ways. We may have heard the following statement attributed to the
Bible, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, however that phrase if
not recorded in the Bible. The flesh nature has a propensity to be
unclean, and impure thoughts and actions have their origin in the
flesh.
Number
four: Lasciviousness. Lasciviousness
is an unbridled lust, excess, wantonness, outrageousness,
shamelessness, and insolence. In other words it is the “I've got to
have it now” syndrome. This work of the flesh manifests itself in
the unbridled lust for material and emotional things. It is an
obsession with objects and feelings that are brought about from
exposure to stimuli that becomes addictive and carries with it a
sense of need.
As
we can see, Paul is putting together quite a list of the
manifestations of the flesh. Although some of these may not apply to
us, more than likely one or more will convict us as we continue to
understand them. Fleshly desires and passions are within us, and this
is why it is so necessary to be led by the spirit of God. As we
consider this part of Paul's list today, let us remember his previous
words in verse sixteen of this chapter:
[This] I say then, Walk
in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Next time Paul will continue his list of the works of the flesh, so
read ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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