Lesson 69 November 17, 2002

5:19-23 Contrast between the production of the flesh and the Spirit

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^1aimmorality, impurity, sensuality,

The "of the flesh" clearly marks out the source of the deeds, the sins in view.

When you look carefully at the list that runs down through verse 21 there are 4 categories of sin, that is, deeds of the flesh emphasized.

1. 3 dealing with sexual immorality [KJV adds one at the beginning adultery;]

2. 2 religious sins - therefore toward God directly.

3. 8 social sins - very destructive in dealing with others [KJV adds murder fo,noi(]

4. 2 hedonistic sins that were a common problem of the day, nothing new, have come full circle.

First Group

#1 immorality pornei,a( this is a general term for illicit sexual behavior

a. In view in this word is "normal" sexual sins and it involves sex between people who are not married to each other.

b. This word porneia includes adultery. Matt 5:32 Matt 19:9

c. This sin, like the others, originates in the heart of man dominated by the sin nature. Mark 7:18-23; also Matt 15:19

d. The Jerusalem council, the first pastors conference of the Church, viewed this sin as important enough to list it in their letter to the churches detailing their conclusions. Acts 15:20

e. A church is not to permit flagrant immorality. 1 Cor 5:1

f. God did not make our bodies for immoral purposes. 1 Cor 6:13

g. We are to flee from this sin. 1 Cor 6:18

h. Part of our walk in love is that this sin of sexual immorality not be cited by unbeliever's against the saints. Eph 5:3

i. When temptations occur, we are to respond to the temptation as though our earthly body was already dead. Col 3:5

j. Abstinence from this sin is a part of our sanctification. 1Thes 4:3

#2 impurity avkaqarsi,a Lit. of uncleanness, defilement; Paul uses it often of moral uncleanness, impurity especially in the area of sexual impurity

a. It is part of exchanging the truth of God for a lie. Rom 1:18-25

b. Instead of serving ourselves through impurity, we are now to serve righteously. Rom 6:19

c. This is a sin that if not handled quickly will become more intense/ingrained in the life as one becomes "callused" to it. Eph 4:19

d. This sin is not a part of the Christian's walk in love. Eph 5:3

e. Consider yourself as "dead" when confronted with the temptation. Col. 3:5

f. This impurity stands in contradiction to our sanctification. 1Thes 4:7

#3 sensuality avse,lgeia as living without any moral restraint licentiousness, sensuality, lustful indulgence (2C 12.21); especially as indecent and outrageous sexual behavior debauchery, indecency, flagrant immorality (RO 13.13)

a. It is used to describe a pattern of life that is unrestrained and pursues the desires of the sin nature to the fullest extent possible; so engrossed with the sin that they are blinded to the consequences of their actions.

b. This sin is not part of the our walk in Christ. Rom 13:13

c. It too can become ingrained in our lifestyle because of Scar Tissue being callused to the truth. Eph 4:19

d. False teachers will often exploit people with an attitude that lasciviousness is permitted. 2 Pet 2:1-19

e. Often the lascivious type will deny the Lord Jesus Christ Jude 1:4

List continues in 5:20; begins with the 2 religious sins;

#1 idolatry eivdwlolatri,a( this denotes the worship of an idol or the god represented by it;

a. Idolatry is something that man has pursued throughout history and will continue to do so until the second advent. Micah 5:12-14

b. Idolatry also refers to anything that the believer puts ahead of God as a priority in life; therefore whatever activity or object that one becomes obsessed with to the exclusion of Word of Truth and its application in life and therefore one's relationship with the living Word, Jesus Christ.

c. Any form of idolatry puts the believer in violation of the greatest command. Mark 12:30; Deut. 6:5

d. Idolatry is expressly forbidden by the Word of God.

- Ex:20:3, (MA) 4, (overt) 23; 1 Cor 10:7 says flee idolaters; 1 John 5:21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

e. Idolatry is one of the counterfeits of Satan and as such are referred to as the devil's communion table. 1 Cor 10:19-21