THE WORKS OF THE FLESH - Hindrances to spiritual growth - Part 2 Text: Galatians 5:19

TOYE OGUNGBE·TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2018·

The first four works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:19 may be categorized as sexual sins. In 1 Corinthians 6:18 the scripture reveals that those who commit these sins, sin against their own body. The believer’s body has become the temple of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 6:18-19 says: “Flee sexual immorality, every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you..”

The same mystery of “the two shall become one flesh” which applies when a man is joined to his wife in holy matrimony applies when two people engage in illicit sexual intercourse. In Mark 10:7-8 the Lord Jesus said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh, so they are no longer two but one flesh.” So shall a born again Christian whose body has become the temple of the Holy Spirit be joined to another outside the confines of holy matrimony? The word of God answers this with an emphatic NO! Hebrews 13:4 puts it this way: “Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexual immoral. If God frowns at this surely it cannot help our spiritual growth. Our reasonable service to God is to offer our body as a living sacrifice to Him.

The works of the flesh categorized as sexual sin in Galatians 5:19 are:

FORNICATION - This word has been derived from the Greek word “porneia” which means harlotry, incest, illicit sexual intercourse, bestiality, incest, men burning with lust for one another et al.

ADULTERY - This word has been derived from the Greek word “moicheia” which means having unlawful sexual intercourse with another man’s wife. The same applies to a woman having sexual intercourse with another woman’s husband. We can say for Christians, that adultery is the sin of a married man having sexual relations with anyone other than his wife, vice versa a married woman. In Mark 5:28, Lord Jesus Christ took it even further saying, “...whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This can be very challenging but thank God for 1John 1:9 which states: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we find ourselves backsliding we must be quick to confess and ask the Lord for forgiveness. The sin must not develop into a habit.

UNCLEANNESS - This word comes from the Greek word “akutharsia” which means to be foul and filthy physically and morally. To live a lustful and recklessly extravagant life. This reminds me of the prodigal son in Luke 15:13-14

LASCIVIOUSNESS OR LEWDNESS - This comes from the Greek word “aselgeia” which apparently means the following: “unbridled lust”, “licentiousness”, “wantonness”, “outrageousness”, “shamelessness” and “insolence.” One can narrow it down to a person who expresses a sexual desire or behaviour that is indecent or obscene. A promiscuous person who is crude and offensive in a sexual way.

Self discipline comes before spiritual growth. It was apostle Paul who wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” Therefore, as long as we live in this tent of flesh called the body, no one is exempt from these challenges. We must continue to renew our minds through study and meditation of the word of God.

Reverend Toye Ogungbe, Robust Blessing Ministries, London +447727 695293, revtoye@robustblessing.org.uk