What Self Rule Produces:
Gal. 5:19-21
C:\JAMMc2011\GAL5-5.USE..wpd June 12, 2011
Gal 5:19-21 NKJV
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
NKJV
Gal 5:19-21 NLT
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
NLT
INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever known a man who appeared to be a good moral man but rejected Christianity. One such man was being witnessed to by an evangelist, but the man rejected this witness. As they were walking, they passed a hard core pornography store. The evangelist asked the man how he was going to enjoy living with the kind of people who frequent those stores. The man replied, “I do not associate with those kinds of people and you know that I don’t.” The evangelist said, “Your life of self and rejection of Christ will ultimately associate you with those kinds of people.” The ruling force in your life is producing a certain kind of life style. In our test Paul tells us what the “flesh” or the self can produce. In these three verses we can find three characteristics of a lifestyle of self rule. They are as follows:
1. The definite possibility of multitude of sins.
2. The definite probability of following false doctrine.
3. The definite predictability of an eternity in hell.
I. What Self Rule Produces:
The Definite . .
Possibility of a Multitude of Sins. v 19-21 a
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,
Intro.
This verse indicates that the works of the flesh are manifest or that they are clearly seen. Now these works or this life style can appear at different times in a non-Christian’s life. It may be that some non-Christians have only a few of these sins in their life.
However, the possibility of these sins being in the non-Christians life is a definite possibility because no human by himself is as strong as the forces of evil. These sins listed in the passage can be further defined in the following manner: L=Lensky R=Robertson V=Vincent W=Wuest
A. The Possibility os . . Sexual Sins. v 19 a
adultery, fornication, PORNEIA (fornication) prostitution, harlotry (R) all kinds of illicit sexual intercourse (L)
uncleanness, AKATHARSIA (uncleanness) moral impurity (R), sexual impurity (W), not only the other sexual aberrations but also all that leads to them - the whole mass of filth (L)
lewdness, ASELGEIA (lewdness) sexual vice of all kinds (R), having restraint removed, plunging onward like a runaway horse (L), it refers to one who has contempt for public opinion and shamelessly outrages public decency (W).
B. The Possibility of . . Spiritual Sins. v 20 a
idolatry, EIDOLOLATRIA (idolatry) worship of idols (R), worship of an image or of the god represented by it (W).
sorcery, PHARMAKEIA (sorcery) The ministering of drugs . . . the sorcerers monopolized the word for a while in their magical acts and used it in connection with idolatry (R), witchcraft since witches use drugs (W).
C. The Possibility of . . Social Sins. v 20 a
hatred, contentions, ECHTHRAI (enmities) personal animosities (R), personal hatreds or enmities (L).
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, ERIS (strife) more correctly, factions (V), rivalry, discord (R), contentions, strife, fighting, quarreling, wronging (W).
ZATOS (jealosy) the motive for enmity and strife (L), the unfriendly feeling excited by another’s possession of good. (W)
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, THUMOI (angers)
stiring emotions then explosions (R), the outburst of hot
passion in anger (L), hostile feelings (W).
ERITHEIAI (rivalries) this word indicates mercenary motives (L), self-seeking (W).
DICHOSTASIAI (divisions) splits in two, DICHA & STASIS (R).
HAIRESEIS (sects) parties into which division crystallize (V), choosings and preferences (R). It denotes a choice of a special opinion for oneself. (L). An opinion varying from the true exposition of the Word of God. (W).
PHTHONOI (envyings) feelings of ill-will (R)
D. The Possibility of . . Splurging Sins. v 20 a Drunk
METHAI (drunkenness) drunken excesses
KOMOI (revellings) old word for drunken parties (R), used generally of feast and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry (W).
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
Another word that I want to emphasize is the word in verse 21 translated “do” or practice. The word is: PRASSONTES (do or practice) habitually practice (W).
The habit of these sins is proof that one is not in the Kingdom of God and will not inherit it (R).
ILLUSTRATION:
Take a survey of the sin district and see how many claim to be Christian. As a Youth I had a Youth Leader who (in his youth) liked to dance.
His father told him he could not be a witness on a dance floor. He decide to prove his dad wrong. So the next dance he went to he asked one of his partners “are you a Christian” she said “no, are you” And he said “yes” she said “then what are you doing here”.
APPLICATION:
Do you habitually practice these sins. If so, you illustrate a life of self-rule. If these sins occasionally occur, you need to realize the damage it does to your witness and allow the power of God to help you conquer these areas.
II. What Self Rule Produces:
The Definite . .
Probability of following False Doctrine. v 20
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
EXPLANATION:
As we have already stated, the Greek word HAIRESEIS (translated factions or heresies). means parties into which divisions crystallized or a choice of a special opinion for oneself that rejects the true exposition of the Word of God. Our English word heresy is the same word as this Greek word.
Today, heresy means a false idea or doctrine. In the U.S.A. there are now several hundred denominations. Many of these have at least some false doctrine. Many of the fastest growing denominations such as Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons are filled with false doctrine.
ILLUSTRATION:
Convert from one of these heresies.
APPLICATION:
We should not have an attraction for every wind of doctrine but cleave to the Word of God.
III. What Self Rule Produces:
The Definite . . Predictability
of an Eternity Separated from God. V 21b
v 21b “. . . of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NKJV
EXPLANATION:
In verse 21 Paul repeats an instruction that he had given before and the teaching is those who habitually practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The self-ruled life ends up in Hell.
Now the opposite is true, that is, the Christ ruled life ends up in Heaven. The results are definite for both lives.
ILLUSTRATION:
Good morale man being asked how he was going to enjoy spending an eternity with the maffia, and a crowd of perverts.
(Go back to the Introduction)
APPLICATION:
This is not the Christian life style or life end. Do you know that you have life in Christ now and for eternity. Life that produces a separate life style?
CONCLUSION:
WHAT: We must realize that a life style of sin cannot be
the life style of a Christian.
HOW: Christ’s rule and Lordship eliminate the consequences of self-rule.
WHY: Blessings now and later.