9 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, 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 kingdom of God.

Sinful nature actions | Galatians 5:19-21 (NASB) 中文 

Epic battle

Paul has shifted to the practical in part of the letter. He’s painted the picture of an epic battle between our flesh (the old nature) and the Spirit. We are in a constant battle. It’s like the story of a Eskimo who used to bring two of his dogs into the village weekly and let them fight. Townsfolks would bet.

Though the dogs always looked evenly matched, the Eskimo always won the bet – knowing which would win. One year he got old and stopped so a townsman asked for his secret. The reply, “Simple. I always took good care of all my dogs. The week before a match, the dog I determined would lose, I just didn’t feed him as well.” Think about that as you read today and tomorrow’s passages.

The list

In this battle we can know that the flesh is winning when we see evidence. Paul provides a list. Why do we need a list if, as Paul says, the works of the flesh are evident? “Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, [Paul] knows it is important to be specific, because we must know specifically how we walk in the flesh. We can’t see the flesh, but we can see what it does.” (enduringword.com) But lists are tricky. The old nature loves to get a list and nit-pick at what a specific item is or, focus on sinning in ways not listed.

The list seems to be broken into groups: sexual, religious, interpersonal, social sins. Enduringword.com has a fairly detailed explanation of each of them here. 

Who, me?

A non-Christian would not even ask the question, “Who me?” But a follower of Christ will (and should) ask, if anything, since he or she knows their evil sinful nature and its propensity to sin. So the question becomes, what does it mean, “practice”? Practice, “represents a present participle, ‘people doing such things’, and it carries the implication that they do them constantly.” (Morris in enduringword.com) (cf, 1 John 3:5-9) Using the dog fight analogy, it’s constantly feeding the flesh so it wins…and starving the spirit. 

Consequences

The consequences are not insignificant. In fact, they are eternal: “not inherit the kingdom of God”. Since the Kingdom of God is where He rules and reigns and since the tense is the future, Paul is likely talking about Heaven. 

RЯeflection

• Which are you feeding? The spirit or the flesh? Do a review of your time and money and affections. Ask the Spirit to guide you. Assess. Who is winning? Stop feeding the flesh. Start feeding the spirit. Dig into God’s Word. Get on your knees and confess and repent. Ask God to show you the idols of your heart.  Get with other believers (Hebrews 10:25) and plead with them to hold you accountable (James 5:16). Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19)
• If you are reading and you sense that something is not right in your soul. You feel the guilt of your sinful behaviors but you can’t escape. That’s a lie. You can! Confess, repent and believe. Click here for more.