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