The Works of the Flesh

The Works Of The Flesh
Flesh is the sinful element in human nature with its corrupt desires. It remains within the Christian after his conversion and is a deadly enemy to him (Rom. 8:6-8,13; Gal. 5:17,21). Those who practice the deeds of the flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). Hence, they must be resisted and put to death in a continual warfare that the believer wages through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:4-14; Gal. 5:17).
Galatians 5:19-21 The works of the flesh include:

1. Adultery
Any voluntary sexual encounter of a person with someone other than his or her spouse – Exo. 20:14; Deut. 5:18; Mat. 5:31-32

2. Fornication
Immoral sexual conduct and intercourse; it includes taking pleasure in pornographic pictures, films, or writing – Mat. 5:32; 19:9; Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; 1Cor. 5:1

3. Uncleanness
Sexual sins, evil deeds, and vices, including thoughts and desires of the heart – Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5

4. Lasciviousness
Sensuality, following one’s passions and de¬sires to the point of having no shame or public decency – 2Cor. 12:21

5. Idolatry
Worship of spirits, persons, or graven images, also trust in any person, institution, or thing as having equal or greater authority than God and His Word – Col. 3:5

6. Witchcraft
Sorcery, spiritism, black magic, worship of demons, and use of drugs to produce spiritual experiences -Exo. 7:11,22; 8:18; Rev. 9:21; 18:23

7. Hatred
Intense, hostile intentions and acts, extreme dislike or enmity;

8. Variance
Quarreling, antagonism, a struggle for superiority – Rom. 1:29; 1Cor. 1:11; 3:3

9. Emulations
Resentfulness, envy of another’s success – Rom. 13:13; 1Cor. 3:3

10. Wrath
Explosive anger or rage which flares into violent words and deeds – Col. 3:8

11. Strife
Selfish ambition and seeking of power – 2Cor. 12:20; Phil. 1:1617

12. Seditions
Introducing divisive teachings not supported by the Word of God – Rom. 16:17

13. Heresies
Division within the congregation into selfish groups or cliques, which destroy the unity of the church – 2Cor. 11:19

14. Envyings
Resentful dislike of another person who has something that one desires;

15. Murders
Killing a person unlawfully and with malice;

16. Drunkenness
Impairing one’s mental or physical control by alcoholic drink;

17. Revellings
Excessive feasting, revelry, a party spirit involving alcohol, drugs, sex, or the like.