THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS
JULY 24TH, 2005
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH
I. A word about the list of fleshly lusts.
A.
This list is, for the most part, the outward manifestations of a fleshly
life.
B.
The Apostle Paul admits that this list is incomplete - “...and such
like.....” (21)
II. What are the meanings of these terrible
terms of fleshly lusts? (19-21)
A.
Sexual sins (19)
1.
Adultery - in contexts
such as this, where adultery and fornication are both mentioned, adultery
refers to sexual immorality involving a married person.
2.
Fornication - The Greek word used for this term is “porneia,” from which the word “pornography” originates.
3.
Uncleanness - is a
morally impure mind, expressed by sexually expressive literature, movies,
jokes, ect.
4.
Lasciviousness - is
public indecency, including public homosexuality and lesbianism of our day.
B.
Religious sins (20)
1.
Idolatry - is the
worship of false gods, usually associated with sexual sins.
2. Witchcraft - embraces astrology, magical arts, and
demonism.
- the Greek word is
“pharmakeia” (from which we get our English word “pharmacy.”
C.
Attitude sins (20-21)
1.
Hatred - A total
dislike of people, or a person, to the extent that you would like the person to
be dead.
2.
Variance - refers to
quarrels that originate from fleshly desires and selfishness.
3.
Emulations - refers to
selfish jealousies with sinful motives.
4. Wrath
- equals uncontrolled rage expressed
by outbursts of temper.
5.
Strife - refers to
disunity, or doing what is best for you at the expense of others.
6.
Seditions - means to
split in two.
7.
Heresies - refers to
the opinions that conflict with the established truths of God’s Word.
8.
Envyings - Desiring the possessions of another.
D.
Social sins
1.
Murder - the
premeditated taking of innocent human life.
2.
Drunkenness - includes
both public and private intoxication with alcohol.
3.
Revellings - refers to drunken partying that involves
either/or intoxication and sexual sins mentioned already.
E.
“...and such like.....”
-
The Apostle Paul could have gone on, but he has made his point - The
contrast is clear between the sinful life of the flesh and the walk in the
Spirit that he is about to describe.
III. The Judgment for theses works (21)
A.
“...they which DO such things.....”
- This refers to an
habitual life-style.
B.
Christians can commit these sins, but they will not be the permanent
pattern of behavior for Christians, (Romans 13:13 and II Corinthians 12:21).
C.
People who live like verses 19-21 “...shall not inherit the kingdom of
God.” (21)
Conclusion - Paul is now ready to show the pristine character of walking “in the Spirit.” (16)