THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
Part 1
The Bible
gives a number of examples of works of the flesh. We will deal specifically
with the seventeen works listed in Galatians 5:19-21. All works of the flesh
are an abomination unto the Lord. They are contrary to spirituality. Those who
engage in these actions portray their need of the cleansing power of the blood
of Jesus to sanctify them wholly. It is clear that God's people need to look carefully and consider deeply these truths. We are to be a light in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. For God's people to manifest true righteousness, we must align ourselves to the truth and make no provision for the flesh in our lives or excuses for those we love. Jesus said ye are the light of the world. Anyone who has been around an oil lamp knows the only way to get the best and brightest light from a lamp is the wick must be freshly trimmed and free of all excrescences (abnormal growth) that sometime adhere to the wick, and diminishes the light. To be free of all adhesions of evil is such an help toward the bright light of Christian testimony. No impediments-The Scripture clearly indicates that one who
is saved will turn from these works of the flesh:
“Now the
works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told
you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom
of God” (Gal. 5:19).
It is
clear that Christians cannot yield themselves to the works of the flesh and
maintain holiness. The works of the flesh are a sign of uncleanness and
iniquity. The sinner does not have to try to manifest the works of the flesh;
they are a natural result of the absence of the born again experience and the
cleansing blood of Jesus. The works of the flesh produce the opposite results
of the fruit of the Spirit which are stated in Galatians 5:22, 23. The works of
the flesh are hated by God. Those who do these things are not friends of God.
We are reminded by the Word of God that when we were engaging in these things,
we were sinners controlled by the actions of the flesh:
“I speak
after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have
yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity;
even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Rom.
6:19).
In the Old
Testament, God began the process of reconciling man unto Himself by first
revealing to man what He considered to be sin by the law He gave unto Moses.
Before man could be freed from the results of the flesh, he had to be taught
what God hated. The law revealed what sin was in the flesh, but it could not
take away the sin that was in the flesh. Although God would forgive man for his
sins, he continued to commit the works of the flesh bearing witness to the
weakness of the law. The world still contends that we are controlled by the
flesh and that no one can live without committing the works of carnality. Many of the denominations have denied the power of the blood of Christ by
accepting the idea of Christians committing sin. The works of the flesh are
sinful and produce death in all who engage in them. The child of God is not
controlled by the flesh. This Scripture passage says that when we were in the
flesh, we were sinners:
“For
when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work
in our members to bring forth fruit unto death” (Rom. 7:5).
The
process of reconciling man unto God could not be accomplished by the law as it
was given to Moses. God sent His Son in the form of flesh and blood to condemn
sin in the flesh. Christ came as a living witness that flesh and blood could
overcome the power of the works of the flesh. The Christian lifestyle is testimony
of the power of the Spirit to overcome the works of the flesh. Reconciliation
with God required that man deny ungodliness and the works of the flesh through
the righteousness that is in Christ. All of man’s efforts under the law came up
short of righteousness and holiness. Under the law, God permitted man to make
blood sacrifices for his sins and to seek forgiveness; however, the works of
the flesh continued. These sacrifices could not destroy sin within man. Jesus
came in the fullness of the law as it was given to Moses; therefore, Christ
fulfilled the law. The writer of Hebrews states:
“For it
is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou
wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and
sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the
volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God” (Heb. 10:4-7).
The Bible
teaches us that the flesh is carnal. A new Christian cannot please God and
remain carnal. Those who fail to diligently seek after sanctification and the
indwelling of the Holy Ghost may have problems with some of the works of the
flesh. It should be the desire of every Christian to leave all the works of the
flesh behind when they become children of God. Every newborn child of God
should seek immediate and complete cleansing by the blood of Jesus to assure
themselves of being free from the works of the flesh.
“For they
that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are
after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. So then they that are in the flesh
cannot please God” (Rom. 8:5, 8).
The flesh
has been sentenced to death by God because of sin. Those who manifest the works
of the flesh are destined for destruction and eternal punishment. To please
God, Christians must live a life controlled by the Spirit of Christ and the
power in His blood. Paul reminds believers that the flesh brings death:
“Therefore,
brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye
live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live” (Rom. 8:12, 13).
The works
of the flesh are at war with the Spirit of Christ (Gal 5:17, Gen. 25:23, Song 6:13). The flesh will manifest
works that persecute and defame the works of the Spirit (Gal 4:21-31, Gen. 21:8-21). The flesh is the enemy
of God and those who are in the flesh cannot please Him. Since Adam and Eve
disobeyed God’s command, the works of flesh have been contrary to the Word of
God. Flesh is in a state of rebellion against God. Jesus Christ is the only
solution for the problem of being controlled by the works of the flesh.
“For to
be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law
of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please
God” (Rom. 8:6-8).
Many
professing Christians who declare that all must commit sin deny the power of
the Spirit. By taking such a position they declare that the flesh is mightier
than the Spirit. They align themselves with the words spoken by Paul in Romans
7:14, 15; however, they seem to overlook the fact that Paul was speaking of his
condition before he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. Paul
proclaimed his deliverance through his faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 7:24-25-8:1). Those who blame
the flesh for their sins are acknowledging that the works of the flesh control
their lives. When a professing Christian says he commits sin, he is saying he
still manifests the works of the flesh. Many professing Christians misinterpret
the seventh chapter of Romans:
“For we
know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which
I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I”
(Rom. 7:14, 15).
There is
real danger for those who are regenerated (born again), but unsanctified. As
long as the Adamic (sinful) nature is present, these Christians are subject to
being overcome by carnal works. This remains the case because of the alienation
of the relationship between God and man, created by Adam’s fall from fellowship
with God. Adam’s fall brought sin and death into the world and caused all of
mankind to be subject to it. Every Christian needs to be sanctified. Spiritual
power cannot be manifested by carnality. The child of God does not win
spiritual battles with carnal weapons:
“(For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4, 5).
Christians
are not to sin or practice evil at all. If a Christian does sin he or she must
repent of their sins and turn back to Christ. Consider Peter and his denial of
Jesus, afterward he wept bitterly for his sinfulness. John gives us a recipe
for revival and renewal in weakness:
1John 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye
sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: And he is the propitiation for
our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we
know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his
word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in
him. He that saith he abideth in him
ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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