Fruits of the Spirit
WHAT THEY ARE NOT!
Works of the Flesh
Gal 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: 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.
KJV
Works- “ergon” – an act or deed; the acts or deeds of the flesh “sarx” the human nature
or carnally minded.
Manifest “phaneros” open, evident, apparent and outward.
Here Paul names 17 acts or deeds of the flesh:
Adultery: “moichos” one who has unlawful relationships with another’s spouse
Fornication: “porneia” sexual immorality; harlotry;
The word Pornography actually comes from the Greek word for Fornication.
Uncleanliness: “akatharsia” Impurities. Unusual word and can be used in reference to the
pus from an unclean wound, a tree that has never been pruned or for material that has
never been sifted. It is the soiling of life that separates us from God. Sexual impurities.
Lasciviousness: “aselgeia” readiness for any pleasure. It speaks of one who doesn’t have
any restraints. One who casts aside all sense of decency or shame and no longer cares
what people think or say about his or her actions. Shameless conduct.
Idolatry: “eidololatreia” Worship towards an image (god). Anything that takes the place
of the True God such as money, sex, power, status, pleasure and other things.
Witchcraft: “pharmakeia” Magical acts and practices connected with idolatry. Sorcery.
Tarot cards, Ouija boards, Fortune telling and et cetera. The word pharmacy is derived
from this Greek word and at one time was a good word. Originally meant “drugs, but
later it was used as a mixer of poisons, or a magician who mixed drugs for witchcraft.
Hatred: “echthra” opposite of love, enmity and hostility, one who is characteriscally
hostile to his fellow man.
Variance: “eris” Refers to contention, strife, fighting, discord, quarreling or wrangling.
Emulations: “zelos” Jealousy in a negative sense.
Wrath: “thumos” passionate outburst of anger or hostile feelings. Uncontrolled temper.
Doesn’t speak of an anger that is long lasting but one that quickly bursts out and then
dies. Many murders involve this.
Strife: “eritheia” quarreling or contention.
Seditions: “dichostasia” dissensions and divisions. A society in which the members fly
apart instead of come together. A house divided amongst itself cannot stand scripture
states.
Heresies: “hairesis” one’s chosen opinion, an opinion that varies from the true
explanation of God’s word.
Envyings: “phtonos” the spirit which grudges. Ill-will, animosity, resentment.
Murders: “phonos” to kill, slaughter, destroy or to take a life. The devil is a murderer
because like a roaring lion he seeks to kill, steal and destroy.
Drunkenness: “Methe” intoxication.
Revellings: “komos” The Greek word has an interesting background. A kosmos was a
group of friends that accompanied the winner of a game after his victory. They would
dance, laugh and sing his praises. It also described those who were devoted to Bacchus
the god of wine. It means unrestrained and uncontrolled parties.
And such like:
Paul didn’t regard his list as being complete, but said that anyone that indulge din these
areas or any area like them shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Looking at this world today we can see these things rampant. And unless we have the
Holy Ghost living in our lives these things can also become manifest (obvious) in our
lives as well.
Eph 5:11-13
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth
make manifest is light.
KJV
The works of the flesh called the works of darkness are unfruitful. They cannot replenish
or refresh or bring nourishment to an individual.
God hates things that don’t bear fruit.
In Matthew 3:5-10 God brings judgment on those that don’t bear fruit.
Mark 11: 12:21, Jesus curses the fig tree that did not bring forth fruit.
What sets us apart, truly sets apart from this world, is our fruits.
Matthew 7:16-23 tells us that it is by our fruits that we are known. A true Christian is
known by his fruits. His talk is supported by his walk!
