Today’s Lesson begins a list, and what a list it is!

Seventeen sins!

Or groups of sins.

All deadly to a victorious Christian life!

Galatians 5:19 announces, in brief: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these …” 

Wow!

When we (the very next paragraph of Galatians chapter 5) discuss the “Spirit,” the “Holy Spirit” …  the term “fruit” is used. He (the Third Person of the Godhead) grows, produces, replicates “fruit” in our lives! But not the “flesh!”

It involves (of course) “works!”  The Greek noun employed here is “ergon,” implying (human) effort, sensual or selfish “energy!”

Whereas “fruit” is not based on human exertion, but on the Spirit’s indwelling, on our yielding to Him day by day, hour by hour! If we commune with Him, “abide” in Him … His “Sap” will flow (a word picture) through us … and “fruit” will be borne!

Okay.

But how will we identify these dangerous “works of the flesh?” By “flesh” Paul means the tendencies, cravings of our old lower natures? Of our old, if you will allow me the term, “old sin natures?”

The answer!

The Apostle seems to think we might not even need his “list,” because these “down-pullings” (so very human temptations to do wrong, to disobey or cease to follow the Holy Spirit’s Guidance) are so very “evident!”

Don’t you suspect the indwelling Holy Spirit Himself will promptly let you know when you begin to dabble in one of these things?

Anyway, the point of today’s Text … they will be “manifest!” 

Galatians 5:19, it’s first clause (opening words) again: “Now the works of the flesh are MANIFEST, which are these …” 

“Phaneros” is the word, translated “manifest.” 

It means “apparent, easily known, plainly recognized.” Even “outwardly visible!”

It hails from a verb (“phaino”) which means “to cut the lights on!” Very bright lights, at that!

You will  not have to consult a manual the next time you get real MAD, the People of God will know that at that moment you are not “walking” in the Spirit! That you have yielded to the “flesh!”

Wow!

Enough has been said for one day.

Oh, did I tell you, “PEOPLE ARE WATCHING?” 

And (I suppose) those sinful works of the flesh will be “evident” (King James Version: “manifest”) to them too!

Whereas Jesus admonished us to … “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your GOOD WORKS, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16, not our “works of the flesh!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell