Work of the Flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19-26, NKJV | 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: [a]adultery, [b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [d]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul teaches the Galatians about following Jesus, emphasizing that it is a winnable war against fleshly sins. He emphasizes that walking by the Spirit is essential to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh. Christians who try to live in both spheres will be miserable, as freedom is only found through walking by the Spirit. Paul then discusses the spheres we should not walk in, emphasizing the importance of living by the Spirit.

Paul emphasizes that the works of the flesh are evident and can be seen in one's life if they are living by the desires of the flesh. He does not provide a comprehensive list of sins to avoid, but rather an understanding of what living by the flesh looks like. These outcomes are what one will see in their life if they are not walking by the Spirit but gratifying the desires of the flesh. When they see any of these things in their lives, it is a warning that they are not following Jesus but following the flesh. Paul also discusses some of the works of the flesh that we allow ourselves to participate in, such as defining sins as acceptable because we think we have avoided the "bigger sins." There are many things that we may not realize qualify as works of the flesh.

• Sensuality

Paul addresses the first three works of the flesh, which encompass all kinds of sexual and sensual impurity. He argues that doing whatever feels good to the flesh is not walking by the Spirit but following the desires of the flesh. Sexuality and sensuality are not wrong but are reserved for marriage. Outside of marriage, these things are selfish and do what feels good to oneself. Lewdness and lustful pleasures are also considered sinful. Watching these things in movies and television is not walking by the Spirit but gratifying desires. It is not acceptable to watch others participate in these things, and we must not let technology pollute our minds through devices or streaming services. This applies to both men and women. When women watch shows because of men taking their shirts off and seeing glimpses of their bodies, it is sinful to invoke lust within. We must turn these things off.

• Sorcery

Sorcery, or witchcraft, is often misunderstood as a term for drugs used for poisoning others or manipulating one's state of consciousness. In the first century, Greco-Romans used drugs to kill unwanted children and attain higher spirituality. Today, we also use drugs to alter our minds or kill to escape our problems and find a higher level. Drug use for altering our minds or killing is gratifying the desires of the flesh.

It is important to note that many medicines and drugs are taken to correct body issues, but these are not the same as what Paul is referring to. Instead, the intention behind using drugs or medicine is to alter our state of mind, which is what Paul was describing. The use of drugs or medicine to change our minds is not the same as witchcraft or sorcery. It is crucial to recognize the historical context and cultural context in which these practices occurred.

• Hatred/Hostility/Enmity

Hatred is not acceptable, as God instructed Israel to not hate others in their hearts (Leviticus 19:17) and to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We must be cautious not to justify our hatred. The news, media, and social media often encourage violent reactions against people who disagree with us, such as the president, country, and other countries. This hatred can spill over into our neighborhoods, driving, shopping, and other situations. We must consider if the things we watch are stirring up hate inside us and beware of a heart of hate, as we are not walking by the Spirit when we hold those things in us.

• Jealousy/Envy

Social media often encourages jealousy and envy, as people show others their perfect lives and respond to their own. However, no one has a perfect life, and people often take pictures to impress or cause jealousy. It's important to consider our hearts when wanting others to be jealous or feeling jealous for us. We are all in different spaces and seasons of life, and we know that things will change later. It's crucial to be happy with your life and where you are, and not be bothered by the joy and success of others. We should focus on being happy with our own lives and the experiences we have, rather than wishing for others'.

• Fits of Anger

Anger is not a sign of spiritual growth and should not be justified. Yelling, slamming doors, making a scene, getting red in the face, raising our voice, destroying property, and sharpening our tone from our anger is sinful. It is sinful to express anger based on others' words or actions, as it is selfish and does not represent Christ or produce the righteousness of God within us. Instead, we should focus on calming our minds and avoiding actions that may lead to negative consequences.

• Dissensions and Divisions

Dissensions and divisions can lead to taking sides and causing divisions in our country and culture. These issues include arguing over masks, vaccines, alternate medications, politics, wars, and misconduct in wars. Christians should not become embroiled in these divisions and dissensions, as they must not lose sight of Jesus and the cross for the sake of arguing. It is important to consider that if we become too focused on these issues, it may lead to heart problems. Christians should not lose sight of Jesus and the cross for the sake of arguing.

Romans 12:18, NASB | “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.”

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What to do?

Paul urges us to stop doing certain sins, as they will not inherit the kingdom of God. However, the message is not to stop, though that is true. We all stumble and fall. Paul encourages us to consider our lifestyle.

Galatians 5:21, NKJV | ...just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Living in a way that gratifies the desires of the flesh and does not follow the Spirit and this is a significant heart problem. Paul warns that if we sow to these desires, we will reap destruction and corruption. Repeatedly exhibiting these behaviors in our lives indicates that we are not walking by the Spirit and are not winning the war, but rather giving into the desires of the flesh.

1 John 3:4–10, NKJV | Sin and the Child of God || 4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

The Imperative of Love || 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

What we practice shows where we belong. John describes the two spheres as belonging to God or to the devil. Paul describes the two spheres as living by the Spirit or living by the flesh. Our sin shows that our hearts have been captured. So, where should we begin? Verse 24 gives us a good picture of our starting point.

Galatians 5:24, NKJV | 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

We cannot be fruitful until we pull out the weeds. Weed tries to encompass a plant, stealing resources and choking it. To be fruitful, one must crucify the flesh with its desires and passions, as they are not allowed to continue in their lives. Paul emphasized that we have the choice to crucify these desires and passions, as those who belong to Jesus have killed the flesh. It is crucial to identify our issues and desires and fight against them to remain in the kingdom of God. Today is the day to fight back and go into the garden of our hearts to tear out the weeds that are growing. Your soul is too valuable to let the weeds continue to grow.

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What are the fruit?

Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV | 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The apostle Paul's teachings on the fruit of the Spirit are not about comparing the works of the flesh with the works of the Spirit. Instead, Paul emphasizes that these characteristics are fruit, not a result of doing them. He does not instruct us to perform certain works, but rather to recognize them as fruit. This understanding of fruit is crucial in understanding Paul's teachings.

The list of sins in the works of the flesh is not a comprehensive guide, but rather a tool to assess if we are gratifying the desires of the flesh. It is not a to-do list, but rather a reminder to view these characteristics as fruit rather than a set of actions to be taken.

To grow mangos in your yard, focus on having a tree properly planted, watered, and fed. These characteristics are the fruit of the Spirit, which are the outcome of a life walking by the Spirit. If a tree is properly planted, watered, and nourished, it cannot help but produce fruit. Paul's message is to focus on the fruit of the Spirit rather than trying to do these things. Instead, we should look at the fruit of the Spirit and see if these characteristics are present in us.

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Fruit is not plural

Paul does not refer to these spiritual characteristics as the fruits of the Spirit, but rather as a singular fruit. These characteristics are not independent of one another, but rather are produced by the Spirit's work in our lives. The fruit is generated when we are walking by the Spirit, and these characteristics are not visible or possible to be seen. If we are led by the Spirit, all of these traits will be seen as the outcome of our walk. It is wrong if all of these traits are not observed in those who follow Jesus, as fruit is not optional. The Spirit's work in our lives produces all of these characteristics, and it is essential to observe these traits in those who follow Jesus.

Fruit is critical

Jesus emphasized the significance of observing this fruit in his people through various statements.

John 15:8, NKJV | 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;so you will be My disciples.

Jesus emphasizes that producing a lot of fruit is how the Father is glorified and how we prove our disciples. The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, demonstrates that we are disciples and walking by the Spirit. However, if we are not producing this fruit, we are not glorifying God in our lives and not showing that we are his disciples. Jesus further elaborated on this point in another context.

Matthew 7:16-20, NKJV | 16 You will know them by their fruits.Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?17 Even so,every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Jesus' point is that the fruit of a tree reflects one's character, and unhealthy trees do not produce good fruit. Paul's point is that if one lacks the fruit of the Spirit, they are spiritually unhealthy. Conversely, if one sees the works of the flesh in their life, they are also unhealthy. If you see the works of the flesh in your life, then you are unhealthy spiritually. Nor can we look at the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit, see that we are lacking some, but not all of them, and think that we are spiritually healthy.

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What Not to Do

Our tendency is to focus on lacking qualities in our lives, such as being loving, peaceable, patient, kind, faithful, or gentle. This is similar to washing the outside of a cup, as Jesus instructed the Pharisees to do. However, this facade is not fruit, but a facade that we show around certain people at certain times. It is not a permanent change, as an unhealthy tree may appear to have good fruit but eventually fail to produce it. Changing behavior does not solve the problem of being spiritually unhealthy.

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What to do

Galatians 5:24-26, NKJV | 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Passions and desires must be crucified (5:24). They can become unhealthy if they grow around a healthy plant, like the parable of a sower and soils. Paul's words emphasize that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, while the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. To avoid unhealthy desires, we must identify and eliminate these weeds, as they are choking out the plant and causing it to become unhealthy.

In the Bible, the phrase "keep in step with the Spirit" (5:25) is used to describe living by the Spirit and following the steps of a leader. This concept is similar to the military, where soldiers match their steps to the sound of a cadence. Paul is referring to the idea of living by the Spirit, where the Spirit guides us in where, when, and how we will step. Disciples do not tell God where, when, or how to step, but rather, we follow the march of the drummer, who is our Lord.

If we don't align with God's guidance, we won't yield fruit, glorify Him, become His disciples, and become an unhealthy tree, stuck in the flesh's works.

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The fruit of the Spirit is a combination of qualities that can be seen or not. If these qualities are not visible to others, it indicates that we are not walking by the Spirit but by the flesh. If we walk by the Spirit, these qualities will become observable in our lives, similar to a healthy fruit tree.

Now here is the good news: this life transformation will happen if we pull out the weeds and keep in step with the Spirit. Life transformation is not impossible. Life transformation is not difficult. Life transformation will naturally occur if we pull out the weeds that are choking out the plant and feed the plant by knowing God and following his ways. But let me also give a word of caution. You cannot take a plant in your yard, pull off the weeds, give it water, and think there will be fruit tomorrow. Fruit takes time.

Fruit-bearing is a patient process. Fruit will come, but you must keep at it daily for the fruit to be seen. Keep pulling out the weeds, even if you do not see fruit today. Keep walking in step with the Spirit, even if you do not see fruit today. Fruit is coming. Too often, we can give up because we do not see immediate results. But if you keep walking by the Spirit, you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16), and you will bear fruit (Galatians 5:22–23). Let God have his way with you and make you what you ought to be and want to be.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You chose me and appointed me to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Father, You are the Gardener. You prune every branch that bears fruit, so it will be even more fruitful. I thank You that I am good ground, that I hear Your Word and understand it, and that the Word bears fruit in my life — sometimes a hundredfold, sometimes sixty, sometimes thirty. I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in its season. My leaf shall not wither, and whatever I do shall prosper. Fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that I may walk worthy of You, Lord, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You. In Jesus name I ask, Amen.