Read Galatians 4
Highlights:
No more a servant, but a son . . . an heir . . . through Christ (Gal. 4:1-7). Live in freedom through Jesus (5:1, 5-6,13-14). The indwelling Spirit of God produces fruit (5:22-23).
The Apostle Paul recorded seventeen sins: Now the works of the flesh are manifest (evident), which are these; Adultery (homosexuality, beastiality, pornography, and all the sex sins that defile), fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (sensuality), Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (discord), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (dissensions), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like (such like includes vile affections listed in Rom. 1:26-31): of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).
However, the works of the flesh also include everything that defiles our mind, such as sexually explicit magazines, television programs, pornography, sexual predators, immoral jokes, and evil thoughts.
Idolatry could include money, an occupation, a person, a personal pleasure, or a habit. Though some of these are not evil in themselves, if they occupy the time and loyalty which only God deserves, they could be an idol to us. Often overlooked is witchcraft, which includes horoscopes, palm reading, hypnotism, seances, and other acts of the occult.
Also on the list are hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies (5:20). Strife and seditions include rivalry and discord, while envyings include jealousy and attitudes of the heart (Mark 7:20-23).
Even though this list sounds hopeless the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with hope when He says: And such were some of you: But ye are washed (forgiven) . . . sanctified (set apart for His service) . . . justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus (I Cor. 6:11).
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. . . . That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Phil. 2:13-15).
We can give thanks to God that they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Gal. 5:24). We are no longer enslaved by the works of the flesh, but are endowed with the Holy Spirit and can bear His fruit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23). We can thank God for His long-suffering and mercy.
Thought for Today:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). P.T.L.
Cross References:
For Gal. 4:27: See Is. 54:1. Gal. 4:30: See Gen. 21:10. Gal. 5:14: See Lev. 19:18.
Word Studies:
4:4 made under the Law born of a woman as a subject to the Law; 4:6 Abba aramaic word for Father; 4:12 injured wronged, taken advantage of; 4:24 gendereth to reads to; 4:25 answereth corresponds; 5:19 uncleanness immoral conduct; lasciviousness immodesty, vulgarity, unrestrained lust; 5:20 variance contentious temper, strife; emulations jealousy, rivalry; seditions dissentions, divisions; 6:6 communicate unto whare in the financial needs of; 6:12 constrain compel.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. Carl E. Miller • Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Officials: Sen. Harry Reid (NV) and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (NH) • Country: Latvia (2.48 million) eastern coast of Baltic Sea in northeastern Europe • Major languages: Latvian and Russian • Religious freedom • 20% Protestant (mainly Lutheran); 20% Roman Catholic; 15% Orthodox; .9% Jewish; .4% Muslim; 43.7% Atheist/Agnostics/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Keep your mind on the Lord and trust Him; He will give you peace (Is. 26:3).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 8:28