Such Things
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 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.
Do You Want to Go?
I think most of this scripture speaks for itself. Once we know what God’s word says we are held accountable to it. Which means that we have a choice to make. We can either live by what it says and not do these things. Or we can choose to do them because we like them, and face the consequences. Which are not being allowed into Heaven.
You Can Fix It
These things are called works of the “flesh” because they do nothing more than appease our sinful nature. We may have been born into sin, but God has given us a way out. It is our choice whether or not to take it. Below I have listed the meaning to some of the things above. I believe it puts them into perspective. Knowing what they mean help us see if there are any areas of our lives where these things may be present. You can’t change or fix something if you don’t know about it.
If you find that you may have some of these things in your life you have an opportunity to do something about it. Pray and ask God to forgive you and to help you to turn away from whatever it is. He only wants the best for you and will absolutely help you. However, you are the one who has to make the choice to say no when your flesh wants to say yes. The question is, how important is making it to Heaven to you?
What Do They Mean?
Lewdness-obscene, vulgar, or sexually unrestrained conduct, characterized by a lack of shame and a purpose to excite crude sexual desire or passion
Idolatry means the worship of anything or anyone other than God, including physical idols, false gods, and even things like money, power, or pleasure, that are given ultimate trust, importance, and reliance in place of the Creator.
“sorcery” refers to the practice of using occult means, such as drugs, spells, or divination, to control spiritual forces and influence the physical world, with the intention of gaining power or causing harm outside of God’s will.
hatred primarily signifies a destructive hostility, a profound aversion, or a strong dislike, often accompanied by malice
“contention” refers to an angry dispute, quarrel, or argument that arises from a quarrelsome disposition, a desire to win, or a passionate struggle against an opposing claim or person.
dissension means a violent disagreement, contention, or division that leads to discord and strife within a group, especially the Christian community.
In the Bible, “selfish ambition” refers to pursuing personal advancement, power, or desires at the expense of others and without regard for God’s will, often leading to envy, disorder, and evil practices
a heresy is not just any wrong belief but a deliberately chosen and destructive teaching that contradicts core Christian doctrines, such as the nature of Christ, the gospel, or the resurrection.
“envying” refers to a sinful heart condition of discontent, bitterness, and resentment toward others for their blessings, success, or possessions
drunkenness is defined as a state of being overpowered by alcoholic excess, leading to disordered reason and recklessness, and is consistently portrayed as a destructive “act of the flesh”
“revelries” refers to excessive, boisterous, and often immoral behavior, typically associated with partying, drinking, and a lack of self-control.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:8
**Lord thank You for Your Word that helps me to reflect on my own life and where I stand with You. If there is anything I am doing that is not pleasing to You God I ask that you reveal it to me. Convict me Lord so that I may repent and live the life that you died for me to have. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. **
Watch today’s video here >>> https://youtu.be/06y6gK7iMzk
If you would like to know more about the works of the flesh, check out my book “The attitude of my heart, Growing the fruit of the spirit”. It can be found here https://katiemeszaros.com/books/