Gal. 5:19-21 - Deeds of the Flesh

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the miracles they kingdom of God.

Not a Good List to be On

I have struggled writing about these verses. These verses are not meek and mild. They are in your face regarding sin in your life - the practice of sin. I do not think these verses are saying that without Christ you will DO ALL those listed. There are at least two aspects to this discussion: behaviors and practice.

Behaviors: The world is the province of Satan. In his domain there is no reason not to participate in the ‘deeds of the flesh’. Paul recognizes the dilemma we face, when our old nature tries to take over from the Holy Spirit. See Rom. 7:15-25. We are slaves to the sin nature. Only by the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ are those chains and shackles broken.
We will have two natures within us until we are resurrected or go to be with Jesus -
(1) the old sin nature of the world, and
(2) the new one given to us by Christ.
The battle within us is always choosing between them. We are tempted by our desires from within. Desires give birth to sin, which leads to death. (See: Jam. 1:14-16.)

Practice: We don’t do all the deeds listed, but we do some. This is not about the occasional fall or sin, but a pattern, “serial sinning”. This pattern of behavior shows there is no commitment to the new way of life. Is it ignorance or recalcitrance? See: Eccl.12:11-14, Solomon had tried collecting wisdom; he had tried being powerful; he had tried being rich. In the end, the only thing that mattered was obedience to God’s commands.

Similarly, in the NT, clinging to Christ and Him resurrected is what brings freedom. Deeds of the flesh are easy. Following Jesus takes real commitment.

Vs. 19 - Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

“Deeds of the flesh” - Paul tells us some telltale behaviors in the next two paragraphs that will point out the differences you should see. He gives us two lists - fifteen or sixteen behaviors of those who do not have the Spirit of God controlling their life, and nine characteristics of those who do have the Spirit. This list is similar to others in the NT: Rom. 13:13; Mk 7:21-22; 1 Cor. 5:10-11, 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Eph. 4:31, 5:3-5; Col. 3:5, 8; 1 Tim. 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:2; Rev. 21:8, 22:15.

Living in the flesh. The following definitions come from a concordance, and show the word usage. I think these fifteen characteristics of ‘deeds of the flesh’ can divided into three categories based on the verses in 1 John 2:15-16 where we read all that is of the world (flesh) is “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life”.
The following list includes at least three (3) characteristics in the ‘lust of the eyes’ group, (or maybe also in ‘lust of the flesh’.) There are two (2) concerning false religions, with seven (7) regarding relationships in the ‘boast pride of life’ group. The last two (2) characteristics with ‘lust of flesh.’

The first three deal with immorality.

Immorality - illicit sexual intercourse, including but not limited to: adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.

Impunity - uncleanness: physical; in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living.

Sensuality - unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence. The three listed above are all sexual sins and attitudes.

Vs. 20 - idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

The following are about holding to false religions and the attending practices. As we read through the Bible, especially in the OT, it is clear that turning from God to false religions - unfaithfulness - is religious adultery.

Idolatry - the worship of false gods, practices and rituals honoring false gods.

Sorcery - magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it.

These next nine characteristics all deal with personal ego and pride (perhaps that is redundant). Again, see 1 John 2:15-16, for “the Boastful Pride of Life”. Each of these deal with a person demanding his way, placing his wants and needs over and above all others, even with respect to God.

Enmities - hostility and hatred

Strife - contention, wrangling

Jealousy - excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit, fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal.

Outbursts of anger - passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again.

Disputes - a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit.

Dissensions - divisions

Factions - a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party).

Envying - envy (This word is actually located in verse 21.)

Vs. 21a - “envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these...”

The focus of the following characteristics is losing control of your mind and emotions by artificial means - using alcohol and drugs. Again these are related to the ‘lust of the flesh.’

Drunkenness - drinking to excess

Carousing - drinking and partying to excess.

Etc. - other stuff.

I have forewarned you

Vs. 21b - “... of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

“Forewarned” - He is saying I told you before, and it is worth repeating... These behaviors are not good things. Our behavior is a display of our belief system. This is most clearly demonstrated in what we say, for our words express what we believe combined with our feelings. We speak our hearts and minds. Jesus was quite clear on this matter. (See: Matt. 15:18, 19; Mk. 7:21; Lk. 6:45) Paul urges us to “no longer be conformed to the pattern of this world.” (Rom. 12:2)

“Those who practice” - We practiced these things in ignorance because we had not received the Holy Spirit who leads and teaches us the way we should live. Peter exhorts to not return to our ignorant ways. (1 Pet. 1:14-16). However, when we have heard the truth, the gospel, but refuse to change our behavior it is no longer acting out of ignorance, but rebellion. We do not obey because we do not believe.

“Will not inherent the kingdom of God” - This is harsh, stark statement. Very black and white, no shades of grey. We don’t like the idea. “You can’t judge me,” is a common refrain. “ Their behavior is between them and God”. We can’t know if they are ‘right with God’ or not. Yet, these words are not wishy-washy. We want wiggle-room, but it does not appear there is any, at all.

How do we combat these things, these fruit of the world and flesh? Do we pile on more rules, regulations, rituals, sacrifices? Why would anyone want to change their life for Christ if the result was an ever increasing burden of dogma, dos and don’ts? The joy and love of Jesus give us the answer. The next list provides direction for our life in Christ.

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