Deeds of the Flesh Double-Check “The deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 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 kingdom of God” (NASB Galatians 5:19-21). It’s easy to skip over these “sin lists” when we come across them in scripture. They’re unpleasant and we tend to think they don’t apply to us. We’re past all that, right? But the consequences of not being past them (being unable to inherit the kingdom of God) are dire enough that we do well to double check. So let’s look at a couple of these that may be more present than we’d like to believe. “Enmities” speaks to being enemies. This is the word we see in James 4:4: “...do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?” When we are trying to hold hands with God and with what is not His, we have become God’s enemies. The opposite is also true. When we are enemies with someone or something of God, we are His enemies. Maybe you just can’t stand sister so-n-so; she just rubs you wrong. Sorry, but you’re going to have to get over it and learn to love sister so-n-so. You cannot make an enemy of God’s child and remain an heir of His kingdom. Bake her some brownies and learn to look for the good in her if you value your standing in God’s eyes. “Strife” is contention and wrangling. You’re probably not wrestling in the middle of the floor when the church gathers, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t strife. No, strife is more subtle. Strife is the stay-home-moms not really associating with the working moms. Strife is the home schoolers whispering about the “other” kids. Strife is the younger ladies thinking and acting like the older ladies really just don’t get it. Strife is grumbling about the elders and the decisions they make. Strife is a snake slithering on the ground, weaving in and out, creating dissensions and disputes. Did you catch that? Strife causes dissensions and disputes. Dissensions and disputes cause factions. The factions cause more strife and the vicious cycle continues, claiming souls as it goes. Does your Sunday morning service feel more like a high school hallway than a gathering of God’s people? Can you pick out the popular kids? The outcasts? That isn’t the way God intended His church to be. So what can you do about it? First, pray (always the first answer, right?). Then get busy brainstorming. Maybe when you make Sister So-n-so brownies, you can make a double batch and start crossing some social lines on purpose. Make sure the outcast can feel the warmth of God’s love, even if you have to listen to five minutes of tales of woe. Set a coffee date with someone you don’t normally associate with. Make it a point to talk with your brethren on days other than Sunday and Wednesday. Remember, we’re the church every day of the week. and deeds of the flesh simply cannot be allowed to remain. Enmities and strife are just two of the sneakiest of the deeds of the flesh. There are others--even in this sin list-- we must be on the watch for, always double and triple checking to be sure we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Only when we are not practicing the deeds of the flesh can we experience the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). by: Erynn Sprouse October 28, 2013 wp.me/p2OVE3-s4 strongchurch.org/deeds-of-the-flesh-double-check/
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 13:49:19 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015