The Works of the Flesh

Galatians 5:19-21

Paul lists the works of the flesh, which are evident in the lives of those who live according to their sinful nature. These works are contrasted with the fruit of the Spirit, highlighting the destructive outcomes of living according to the flesh.

• “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 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.”

Exegesis and Study

• The Works of the Flesh: Paul’s list of the works of the flesh includes a broad range of sinful behaviors, from sexual immorality to idolatry, and from discord to drunkenness. These behaviors are symptomatic of a life that is not submitted to the Spirit but is instead dominated by sinful desires.
• The Consequence of Living by the Flesh: Paul’s warning is clear: those who continually live according to the

flesh, without repentance or transformation, will not inherit the kingdom of God. This underscores the seriousness of these behaviors and the need for believers to live by the Spirit.

Practical Application

• Examining Our Lives for Works of the Flesh: It’s important to regularly examine our lives for any signs of the works of the flesh. When we identify such behaviors, we must confess them to God, repent, and seek the Holy Spirit’s help in turning away from them.
• Choosing the Spirit Over the Flesh: The contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit challenges us to choose the Spirit’s way over the flesh’s way. This choice often requires us to deny our immediate desires in favor of pursuing what pleases God.

Prayer Guide

• Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Conviction: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any works of the flesh in your life. Pray for the conviction to repent of these behaviors and the power to turn away from them.
• Pray for the Desire to Please God: Reflect on the areas of your life where you struggle with the works of the flesh. Pray for a deeper desire to please God and to walk in the Spirit.