In this section of Galatians, Paul discusses a set of parameters we can address in our life to understand if we are living in unrepentant sin or not. This list (though not extensive) is Paul’s way of showing us that all sin is selfish, and if we indulge in them, they can become lifestyle, and once they are lifestyle, they are habitual. Habitual sin is especially dangerous because it whisks us away and shelters us from God,making fellowship (relationship) much more difficult. Conversely, the Fruit of the Spirit tells us what should be showing up in our life if the Spirit is within us. To understand the Fruit of the Spirit, we have to first understand the Acts of the Flesh.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
If we live by the spirit, then we don’t gratify the what the flesh wants. Again, if we walk foundationally, make this a cornerstone of our daily life, then we won’t be driven by the flesh (selfishness). We will have a far lesser chance of falling into the darkness of legalism, where we try to earn rather than walk by grace. When you walk in the spirit, you are not indulging in the lust of the flesh. You can’t because they are opposites.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We all fight a battle with sin. Often it is a daily, maybe even an hourly battle. But we must fight, because the flesh is in opposition to the spirit. So in this invisible, interior battle we all have, there is evidence, Paul presents, that shows if we are walking in the flesh or the spirit. First, he presents a list of items that displays if we are walking in the flesh:
Sensual sins: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery These are all sins based in sexuality. Adultery is a violation of the marital vows by sexual immorality. Fornication is the illicit connection between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other. Debauchery refers to sexuality that is impure, excessive, or ugly. Lewdness is a the idea of public uncleanliness, meaning a prideful ideal of sexual sin. None of these items are from God. God does not lead us into these acts. The Holy Spirit does not lead us there. If we are walking in the spirit, then chances are we aren’t indulging in these sins. But if we are controlled by the flesh, these items can sound attractive, fashionable or acceptable.
Idolatry and witchcraft: Religious sins Idolatry is the worship of anything else but God. In our culture, we may find this as outdated. But it isn’t. The idols look a little different, but the easy way to remember it is this: anything that gets between you and God is an idol. God wants the prime spot in your life, and if something else is there (career, ambition, hobbies, goals), then it is an idol. Witchcraft: This is service to the occult. This could be in the form of dabbling, worship, or acceptance. This can also be viewed as drug use. The word used for witchcraft(sorcery) is pharmakeia, to which we derive the word pharmacy from. The idea is this: in the ancient world it was believed that drugs opened up doors to the occult.
Hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy: These are people sins. How we treat others. Social sins often times feel fashionable or acceptable. But Paul teaches us that if we continue to indulge in these sins, it can affect our salvation. It is a primal operation of the flesh, which once again counteracts the spirit.
Hatred: It is the inner motivation of how we treat others. If love is the way we are supposed to treat others, then hatred is the antithesis of it.
Discord: Strife. This is really about how we deal with others rivalries. Is our plan to sow seeds of discontent in order to achieve a selfish outcome?
Jealousy: Simply put, it’s the desire to have something someone else has. It is the yearning, the envy of an unsatisfied heart.
Fits of rage: The inability to control your anger.
Selfish ambition: This is ambition that is only alive for power and profit. It is selfish at its core
Dissensions: This is when a person naturally against an institution, a value, a goal, not for any other reason but to not allow yourself to be part of.
Factions: This originally translated as heresies, but the real meaning is closer to someone who wrongfully divides over opinions. Like Democrats and Republicans. They oftentimes refuse to see the others viewpoint, and divide because of it.
Envy: Bitterness because someone’s something that we don’t.
Drunkenness, orgies: These are social sins. Sins that are committed with others. Although the scriptures don’t condemn drinking alcohol, it does condemn drunkenness. the idea is of an indulgent behavior, one that has little self control and is accepted, most likely, by others around them. This is sinning with intention.
Orgies: can also be translated as revelries, which include any unrestrained social behavior that can demean the person.
And the like: This list is not exhaustive. It doesn’t mean that we are to look at this list, and if a specific sin isn’t called out, then it’s probably okay. And the like refers to a matter of the heart, a foundational infection of the heart.
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Those saved have a high moral obligation to remember and be thankful for Jesus’ sacrifice, and to live a life of consistency, based in love.
To walking in the flesh is to be in rebellion to God. Now, this doesn’t mean that if you’ve done one of these things, you are going to hell. What it means is if you have a consistency of doing these things, if it has become lifestyle, then you are in danger. But God is merciful. Coming back to Him can save you. If you are to turn away from he sins of your past and choose a new path, then there is hope. There is a beautiful eternity waiting for you. If you choose to remain in the flesh, then there is an eternity waiting for you also.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Love: love is the foundation of the fruit of the Spirit. Everything done for God must have a component of Love. If love is not present, then those things we do are worthless (1 Corinthians 13). The love Paul is talking about is Agape love, which is self-sacrificing, committed, and an act of will.
Joy: If happiness is rooted in circumstance, then Joy is rooted in the relationship. We have to understand that relationship with Jesus is our rock, our foundation. When hardships come, we have to remember the hope in Jesus. Joy is something present in those who are in the spirit.
Peace: This is a harmonious relationship with God. Only God can create peace through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Patience: A patient person is slow to anger as he waits for God to provide comfort and punish wrongdoing. We can only possess makrothumia (long temper) through the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we are patient, we leave room for God to work in our hearts and in our relationships.
Kindness: The Greek word for “kindness” is chrēstotēs. It means “benignity, tender concern, uprightness.” It is kindness of heart and kindness of act. Kindness is the characteristic that led God to provide salvation for us. When we exhibit the kindness of God, we are tender, benevolent, and useful to others.
Goodness: Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterized by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. The Greek word translated “goodness,” agathosune, is defined as “uprightness of heart and life.” Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous.
Faithfulness: Faithfulness is steadfastness, constancy, or allegiance; it is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with; it is the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality. Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God—His existence, His works, and His character.
Gentleness: Gentleness, also translated “meekness,” does not mean weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. The opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and self-aggrandizement.
Self Control: Self-control (“temperance” in the KJV) is, of course, the ability to control oneself. It involves moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to our baser desires and fleshly lusts. Self-control naturally leads to perseverance (2 Peter 1:6) as we value the long-term good instead of the instant gratification of the world. Self-control is a gift that frees us. It frees us to enjoy the benefits of a healthy body. It frees us to rest in the security of good stewardship. It frees us from a guilty conscience. Self-control restricts the indulgence of our foolish desires, and we find the liberty to love and live as we were meant to.