This week we continue our study of the works of the flesh with “enmities.” The Greek word that is translated here is thumos, which is sometimes translated “fierceness indignation, wrath, hostility, or hatred.” In my search of the Scriptures I have only found two things that are legal for us to hate—sin and unrighteousness. To hate anything or anyone else actually opens the door for evil to prevail, not righteousness.

Does this mean that we should not hate the devil? Does God hate the devil? Would He tell us to love our enemies and then hate His? The...

This may seem like quite a diversion from our study of end time prophecies to be doing such an extensive study of the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:18-21.However, this understanding is essential if we are going to be prepared for the end times, or for today. It is far more important to be abiding in the Lord than just understanding what is going to happen in these times. It is only by abiding in Him so that we see with His eyes, hear with His ears, and begin to understand with His heart, that we can...

As we have been taking a more in-depth look at the works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5:18-21, covering immorality, impurity, and sensuality, we will continue this week with the next in the list—idolatry.

We may think that no one worships idols anymore, but in fact it is very widespread in every nation and culture, including all of the nations of the West, and even among Christians. How could any Christian ever fall to worshiping idols? This is one of the most important questions we can ask as this is one of the most subtle and devastating...

Last week we began a more in-depth look at Galatians 5:18-21,starting with the first work of the flesh that is listed there, “immorality.” This week we will look at the next two, which are “impurity” and “sensuality.” Impurity is the lustful gratification of our own flesh through such things as pornography, fantasizing, masturbation, etc. Sensuality is the tendency to try to be sexually attractive to someone other than our spouse, causing us to, in the very least, become stumbling blocks to others.

One can be attractive without being sensual. There is a dignity and honor with which the...

As we have discussed, in Scripture “the flesh” is a metaphor for the carnal nature of fallen man which is in opposition to the Spirit of God. The attributes of this carnal nature are listed in Galatians 5:17-21: