The Sinful Nature - Part One

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

So many people are seeking happiness in all the wrong places, with a godless world system that encourages a life that walks on the “wrong” paths, lacking virtures & values, when all the time it was faith in the one true God of the Bible and the finished work on the Cross by His Son, our Lord and Savior, that fulfills our heart's desire, that produces the good “fruit of the Spirit”, that brings true happiness. The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:16-26 explains the spiritual life and death battle that takes place within us between the sinful nature (the works of the flesh) and the Holy Spirit. We hear and are so familiar and blessed by the fruit of the Spirit, but the Apostle names the attributes of sinful nature also, that we recognize and reject the desires of the flesh that are contrary to God’s perfect Will and grieve our soul unto death ... for the Christian, death on a Cross by Jesus. So I took some time to write the “works of the flesh out, defined them and associated a Bible verse or two for meaning, that we may identify and truly understand what we, as Child of God, to flee from (sin) as we, by the grace of God, walk in the Spirit daily.

Adultery – Sexual relations between two persons either of whom is married to another person; violation of the wedding vows of faithfulness and violation of the commandment of God. Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery." Matthew 5:27-29 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery. 'But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Not of God

Sexual immorality - Fornication (sex outside the context of marriage created by God between one man and one woman – husband & wife) and including lust before the sexual act – thinking is doing to God. 1 Corinthians 6:13 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Not of God

Impurity - uncleanneessThe state of not being clean in moral character, in thought, word or deed. Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Not of God

Debauchery - lewdness - lack of self-resistance in the lustful & lewd indulgence of any appetite and sensual pleasure, and corruption of another's virtues. Pornography. Unchaste wanton. Romans 13:13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 1 Peter 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. Not of God

Idolatry - The worship of idols or excessive devotion. Anything that you love more than God and His Holy Word, and anyone that you love more than Jesus. This is spiritual adultery; the forsaking of God. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 John 5:20-21 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. Not of God

Recreational drug use – This associates with sorcery & witchcraft in dark arts associated with altered states of mind and evil spirits. Deuteronomy 18:13-15 You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so. Not of God

Hatred - Bitter dislike and a desire for evil towards others. Animosity. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. John 15:17-19 These things I command you, that you love one another. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Not of God

Discord - A nature lacking harmony and active conflict, disagreement or dispute with people and life. Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Not of God

Jealousy - The demand for exclusive affection or attention. It involves envy and suspicion in a selfish competitive rivalry. Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy? Romans 12:2-3 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Not of God

Rage & wrath - Anger with fury and indignation. Scorn in a dishonorable and unjust nature. Ephesians 4:30-32 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Not of God

I shall stop at this point, and shall continue from here in my next Blog post.
Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

In Christ, Brian