Bible Pathways 12/02/2003
December 2
Read Galatians 4 -- 6
In Today's Reading:
The two Covenants of Law and promise; liberty of the Gospel; fruit of the Spirit
The Apostle Paul recorded seventeen sins: Now the works of the flesh are manifest (evident), which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (sensuality), Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (discord), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (dissensions), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
Sexual immorality, which includes adultery and fornication, heads the list. These sins include intercourse between any unmarried man and woman, as well as the perversions of sex, such as homosexuality.
However, the works of the flesh also include everything that defiles our mind, body, or spirit, such as sexually explicit magazines, television programs, and movies; immoral jokes; and evil thoughts.
Idolatry includes greed and anything or anyone other than God Himself that determines our conduct. The object of idolatry could include money, an occupation, a person, or personal pleasure and evil habits. Though some of these may not be evil in themselves, if they occupy the time and are given the loyalty which God deserves, they actually become an idol to us. Not to be 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 the obsession to excel above others at any cost. All these spring from selfish attitudes.
We can give thanks to God that they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections (passions) and lusts (5:24). We are no longer enslaved by these works of the flesh, but are endowed with the Holy Spirit and can bear His fruit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22-23)
Cross References:
For Galatians 4:27: See Isaiah 54:1. Galatians 4:30: See Genesis 21:10. Galatians 5:14: See Leviticus 19:18.
Word Studies:
4:4 made = born; 4:6 Abba = that is, Father; 4:12 injured = wronged, taken advantage of; 4:24 gendereth to = leads to; 4:25 answereth = corresponds; 6:6 communicate to = share with the financial needs; 6:12 constrain = compel.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Letha Hash · Pray for the Bible Pathway Internet Outreach and the Bible Pathway devotions in Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish that are now online at www.biblepathway.org. Let friends and missionaries overseas know that the devotional commentary is now available in these languages · for the International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Bett Brown · Government Officials: Sen. Wayne Allard (CO) and Sen. Harry Reid (NV) · Country: Egypt (67 million) in northeastern Africa · Major languages: Arabic and English · Christians are not permitted to evangelize Muslims · 82% Muslim; 16% Coptic; .6% Protestant; .6% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Offer up your prayer to God, your King, Who will hearken to your prayer (Psalm 5:2).
Memory Verse for the Week: Ephesians 5:5
