Gospel Bible Baptist Church

Gal. 5:20-21

Introduction

We continue our lesson about the works of the flesh. We have taken the sins about sexuality and the religious sins. Keep in mind that the flesh refers to the depraved fallen nature of man. The flesh speaks of what a man is apart from God. The word manifest comes from the Greek “phaneros” and means “apparent, open, visible, exposed.” What a man is in his heart will be exposed and visible in his life. The way to identify the flesh is by its works.

Illustration 1: Cups Overflow (Envy)
When F. B. Meyer was pastoring Christ Church in London, Charles Spurgeon was preaching at Metropolitan Tabernacle, and G. Campbell Morgan was at Westminster Chapel. Meyer said, “I find in my own ministry that supposing I pray for my own little flock, ‘God bless me, God fill my pews, God send me a revival,” I miss the blessing; but as I pray for my big brother, Mr. Spurgeon, on the right-hand side of my church, ‘God bless him’; or my other big brother, Campbell Morgan, on the other side of my church, ‘God bless him’; I am sure to get a blessing without praying for it, for the overflow of their cups fills my little bucket.”
The Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, W. Wiersbe, p. 193

I. Nine Societal Evils
A. Hatred

1. Hatred (echthrai) is in the plural form, denoting primarily a feeling of enmity between groups. Discord (eris) is the natural result of “hatred” and no doubt a problem in the Galatian church. “Hatred” is a state of enmity toward someone. This sin causes us to cast someone in the role of the enemy. This is a sin of animosity. It is the opposite of love, for love seeks the highest good in others. It does not put-up barriers between people.
2. Variance is strife, discord, contention, fighting, struggling, quarreling, dissension, wrangling. Pride is the driving force behind the sin of variance. Solomon said, only by pride cometh contention… (Proverbs 13:10)
3. Emulations or Jealousy (zelos) Emulations is jealousy. It is wanting and desiring to have what someone else has. It may be position, promotion, property, privilege, or prestige. Emulations are manifested as a constant desire to outrival other people to get the admiration and loyalty of others. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. (Proverbs 6:34)
4. Wrath carries the idea of swelling with anger. It is a boiling anger and a raging resentment. Earl White said, “It derives from a desire of the flesh to strike out at anything that threatens self interests.” It is a desire to take vengeance out of the hands of God and take it to ourselves. The Bible has many warnings against anger. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20) Strife and turmoil abound in the life of an angry man. An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs 29:22) Anger, whether explosive or restrained, is a work of the flesh and carries serious consequences in one’s life. Solomon warned, Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9)
5. Strife comes from the Greek “eritheia” and speaks of contention and discord that comes from a spirit of self-seeking rivalry. Renn says, “The sense of ‘selfish ambition’ is indicated in Philippians 2:3; James 3:14, 16, emphasizing that such an attitude causes disunity and discord among believers.” It speaks of a competitive, factious and striving spirit motivated by a selfish, self-serving, self-seeking attitude. It describes the sin that forces others to choose sides and results in the forming of little cliques and factions. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (Philippians 2:3)
6. Seditions is from the word “dichostasia” and means “dividing or splitting.” It carries the idea of division and splitting off from others. This is the wicked sin that has split many churches, marriages and friendships. A seditious person will seek the loyalty of others by dividing them from the ones they are supposed to be loyal to. This is a dangerous work of the flesh. The only way to deal with a seditious person is by marking them and staying away from them. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17)
7. Heresies is that which stands against or opposite of the truth of God. It refers to teachings that are contrary to the Word of God. The word heresies come from a word that means, “choosing, choice, that which is chosen, or one following his own doctrine.” Noah Webster says, “An opinion held in opposition to the established or commonly received doctrine…” Heresy is making a choice to believe and hold to some teaching other than the established truth of God’s Word. Churches are setting full of heretics today. They have gathered their opinions from liberal Churches, books, radio preachers, and even Bible college classrooms. Their creeds are nothing more than the teaching of some man. Jesus spoke of this crowd. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:9) Peter warned us that they were coming and would infiltrate the Church. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1) A heretic is dangerous and must be dealt with. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10))
8. Envyings is a word that is close to emulations, but it goes a step further. Not only is it a jealously that wants what someone else has, but resents the fact that the other person has it. Paul warned us to, be content with such things as ye have. (Hebrews 13:5)
9. Murder is the premeditated killing of another person. Murder carries severe consequences. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made the man. (Genesis 9:6) This is a sin that can be committed inwardly as well as outwardly. There are many Christians who would never take a life physically who are none the less guilty of murder. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. (1 John 3:15)

Illustration 2: Jealousy Vs. Envy
There is a distinction between jealousy and envy. To envy is to want something which belongs to another person. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, his wife or his servant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” In contrast, jealousy is the fear that something which we possess will be taken away by another person. Although jealousy can apply to our jobs, our possessions, or our reputations, the word more often refers to anxiety which comes when we are afraid that the affections of a loved one might be lost to a rival. We fear that our mates, or perhaps our children, will be lured away by some other person who, when compared to us, seems to be more attractive, capable and successful. Dr. Gary Collins, in Homemade, July, 1985

II. Two sins associated with alcohol fall in a fourth category of evils.
A. Drunkenness

1. Drunkenness is the result of using strong drink. The poison of strong drink has starved more children; wrecked more lives, destroyed more homes; ruined more young people; filled more graves; and sent more people to Hell than any other sin! Strong drink is clearly off limits for the Christian. Only a fool would drink. Wine is a mocker; strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)
2. Revellings speak of merry-making; wild partying; carousing; indulgence, and unlawful pleasure. It is interesting that this word revellings is a word that identifies with nocturnal activity—that which is done in the dark or at night-time.

Illustration 3: The Juggler
A juggler, driving to his next performance, is stopped by the police. “What are those machetes doing in your car?” asks the cop.
“I juggle them in my act.”
“Oh, yeah?” says the doubtful cop. “Let’s see you do it.” The juggler gets out and starts tossing and catching the knives. Another man driving by slows down to watch.
“Wow,” says the passer-by. “I’m glad I quit drinking. Look at the test they’re giving now!”
Contributed by Natalie Kaplowitz, Reader’s Digest, May, 1994, p. 67

III. Conclusion:
There are others which I have not included here but the works of the flesh which are written here given is s enough to identify whether or not one is walking in the flesh or in the power of the Spirit.