Crucify The Sensual Sins

Gal 5:14-21,

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Paul reminds the Galatians that, though he is now talking of the need to live a godly life, he is not thereby reverting to legalism.  Life in the Spirit is neither legalism nor license—nor a middle way between them. It is a life of faith and love that is above all of these false ways. Being led by the Spirit does not imply that we have no responsibility but rather the need to allow oneself to be led. Responding to the Spirit is described by three mutually interpreting words in vv. 16, 18, and 25--"walk", "led," and "live."(Also see Col. 1:10–14; 3:1-10, “set your affections,” “Mortify,” “put off,” “put on new man”)

“The problem of the Christian life is based on the fact that so long as the Christian lives in this world he is, so to speak, two trees---- the old tree of the flesh and the new tree of the divine nature implanted at the new birth; and the problem itself is, how to keep barren the old tree and make the new tree fruitful.  The problem is solved by walking in the Spirit.”  -- C. I. Scofield

REALIZE FREEDOM THROUGH CRUCIFIXION (w. 19-21, 24).

That Spirit and flesh in conflict is now illustrated by contrasting lists of the works of the flesh and of the fruit of the Spirit. Paul has both in mind as he begins to write this section. At the same time, the lists are more than a mere proof of what he has written earlier. For by raising these particulars of conduct, he also provides a checklist for measuring the conduct of those who consider themselves spiritual.  If one's conduct is characterized by the traits in the first list, then he is either not a believer or else a believer who is not being led by God's Spirit. The same standards of evaluation hold true for churches.  We must understand that the flesh is already crucified and we are now challenged to live out this positional reality (5:24). Christ died for me to remove the penalty of my sin, but I died with Christ to break sin's power (6:14).

Crucify the Works of the Flesh.  Vs. 19, 24

Paul now lists some of the ugly "works of the flesh." (You will find similar lists in Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:29-32; I Tim. 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:2-5.) The flesh is able to manufacture sin but it can never produce the righteousness of God.  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9).

The word manifest means “open, evident” so that anyone may see, hence, “well-known.” Paul appeals to their common knowledge. It is as if Paul said to the Galatians, “You have a clearly defined standard by which to decide whether you are being led by the Holy Spirit or by the flesh. Each is known by its peculiar work or fruits.”  This list in Galatians can be divided into three major categories: Sensual, Superstition, and Social.  The key to triumphing over the works of the flesh is crucifixion (5:24). 

         

                   

Crucify the Sensual Sins (vv. 19, 21b).

The particulars he specifies are of various sorts; some are sins against the seventh commandment, such as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, by which are meant not only the gross acts of these sins, but all such thoughts, and words, and actions, as have a tendency towards these great transgressions.

              1.  Adultery.  Adultery is illicit sex between married people.

                   A.  Physical Adultery.  It is having physical marital type relationships with someone other than one's wife or husband (Le. 20:10; Pr. 6:26-32; Eze. 16:32; Ro. 7:3; He. 13:4).

                   B.  Spiritual Adultery.  The Bible also speaks of spiritual adultery--worshiping or serving false gods or worldly pleasures (Je. 13:27; Eze. 23:43; Jam. 4:4).

                   C.  Mental Adultery.  The Lord Jesus Christ taught that adultery first occurs in the heart. Immoral lust is adultery (Mt. 5:27-28).

              2.  Fornication.  Fornication generally refers to sexual sin among unmarried people. "Fornication" or sexual immorality is a very broad term, denoting any immoral sexual intercourse or relationships.

                  A.  Physical Fornication.  Fornication could also be defined as "the gratification of sexual appetites without respect to marriage or the necessity of God's approval" (Bunnell). The Bible uses this term as a general description for immorality (Mt. 5:32; 15:19; 19:9; Ac. 15:20,29; Ro. 1:29; 1 Co. 5:1; 6:18; 7:2; 2 Co. 12:21; Ga. 5:19; Ep. 5:3; Co. 3:5; 1 Th. 4:3; Re. 9:21).

NOTE:  Fornication is a union but it is not marriage.  Malachi explains that marriage is more than the sexual union; it is a covenant before God and man (Mal. 2:14), and it is this covenant that God blesses by making the two one (Mal. 2:15).  Also take note of  the women at the well who had five husbands but Jesus confirmed the fact that the man she was currently living with was not her husband (Jn. 4:16-18).

                  B.  Spiritual Fornication.  Like adultery, fornication is also used in a spiritual sense to describe turning from God to serve false gods (Eze. 16:29-34; Re. 2:21; 14:8; 17:2,4; 18:3; 19:2).

                  C.  Mental Fornication.  The Greek word translated fornication is porneia, from which the English word "pornographic" is derived.  Again the Lord Jesus made it extremely clear that immoral lust is adultery (Mt. 5:27-28; 15:17-20).  Certainly this includes the sin and pursuit of looking at lewd women in wicked magazines and on the internet.

              3.  Uncleanness.  Uncleanness means just that: a filthiness of heart and mind that makes the person corrupt.  To be defiled, foul, unfit. To be unclean refers to lifestyles that are unfit, to defilement of a moral   character, and to spiritual impurity.  The thought is often connected with sensuality (2Cor. 12:212).

                 A.  Moral Impurity.  Paul uses tern “uncleanness” almost exclusively to refer to moral impurity and perhaps of unnatural vice.  The unclean person sees dirt in everything (see Titus 1:15).  This results is a dirty mind, heart, mouth, and actions.

                 B.  Divine Purity.  The teaching about “uncleanness” springs from the concept of God's holiness (Lev 11:44-45, 47).  Uncleanness is not a matter of personal perception or preference, it is a matter which God has defined in absolute standards and terms.  It is not based on a culture’s or society’s perceptions of purity; it does not change merely because “times have changed and people or different now.”  This is an absolute and concrete issue with God.  This is why having a dirty mind and heart is a moral issue. 

NOTE:  Freedom from uncleanness and guilt is possible through God's gracious work (Ps 51:7). Holiness within and purity of heart, is possible through the exercise of faith in Christ's redemption (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:2) and obedience to His word of truth (John 15:3; 17:17; 1 Peter 1:22). Freedom is also realized as we are led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

                 C.  Spiritual Impurity.  In the gospels, the word unclean describes those who are possessed by undesirable or even demonic spirits. Jesus exercised command over these unclean spirits (Luke 4:36) and effectively rebuked them (Luke 9:42). The disciples were also given power over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7; Acts 5:16). Jesus often cast out unclean spirits (Mark 1:23,26-27; 5:2).  A lifestyle given over to Uncleanness is a lifestyle heavily influenced or possessed by demons.

                 D.  Not Ceremonial Uncleanness.  Paul is not referring to O.T. restrictions regarding unclean foods (Lev 11:1-19), contact with a dead body (Lev 11:25-31). Besides foods,  people were designated unclean under certain conditions like: 1) a discharge or menstruation (Lev 15:2-13,19-24). 2) Puss-type body emissions from open sores or 3) a leprous person was unclean (Lev 13:11).  These are not the things that Paul is referring to in Galatians.  In fact it is this type of thing he is trying to discourage (Gal. 4:9, 10; 5:3-6).

The first three words, then, cover sexual sins.  They are obviously intended to be somewhat comprehensive and inclusive.

              4.  Lasciviousness.  (Vs. 19) Lasciviousness is close to the word debauchery.  It evidently means conduct and character that is unbecoming, indecent, unrestrainedly shameless. The special sense of sexual excess is probable in Gal. 5:19 and certain in Rom. 13:13; 2 C. 12:21; 2 Pt. 2:2, 18. (Bill Clinton)

                                                                                                                                  

                A.  Shameless Conduct and Desires.

It speaks of a lewd and sensual appetite that knows no shame—excessively lewd and vulgar.  In the New Testament it generally appears to point more specifically to unembarrassed open indulgence in impurity.  It point to reckless shamelessness in unclean and sensual indulgences.  It could be defined as "the stirring up of lustful desires which cannot be satisfied within God's boundaries" (Bunnell). The Greek word (aselgeia) is also translated "filthy" (2 Pe. 2:7) and "wantonness" (Ro. 13:13; 2 Pe. 2:18).

                                                                                                                                  

                B.  Unharnessed Conduct and Yearnings.

Lascivious. A term referring to immorality (Mk. 7:22; 2 Co. 12:21; Ga. 5:19; Ep. 4:19; 1 Pe. 4:3; Jude 4). It especially refers to excess and lack of restraint, shameless conduct (Vine). In 2 Pe. 2:7 this word refers to the moral perversion which characterized Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pt. 2:7).  It goes without saying that all of these sins were rampant in the Roman Empire and the pagan world generally (Eph. 4:19).

                C.   Lawless Conduct and Motivations. 

Undisciplined and unrestrained behavior, especially a flagrant disregard of sexual restraints (Mark 7:22; 2 Cor 12:21). This further means "outrageous conduct," showing that licentious behavior goes beyond sin to include a disregard for what is right.  It speaks of one who acknowledge no restraints, who dares to do whatever his whim and impulsive perverted heart may suggest.  It refers to one who has a cocky meddlesome hatred for decent and conservative public opinion, and shamelessly outrages public decency.

                 D.  Enticing Conduct and Motivations. 

Lasciviousness also means to entice in the lusts of the flesh.  The word originally referred to any excessive behavior or lack of restraint, but eventually became associated with sexual excess and indulgence.

Nakedness is a common act of public indecency in our days and certainly fit within the description of shameless and lewd behavior. Man was naked before the Fall (Ge. 2:25), but after man sinned their conscience was defiled and God made coats and clothed them (Ge. 3:7,10,11,21). Ever since, God has instructed man to cloth himself because of the sinfulness of his thoughts (Mt. 5:28; 15:19). Nakedness is connected with immorality (Ge. 9:22-23 (Noah); Ex. 32:5,6,25 (Calf Idolatry); Le. 18:6-19 (Incest); Le. 20:11-21 (Fornication and Sexual Perversion); Hab. 2:15 (Drunkenness and Shamelessness). Nakedness is shameful (Is. 47:3; Eze. 23:18; Re. 3:18).  Shamefacedness, however, which means to have a sense of shame; a sense of modesty; bashfulness (1 Ti. 2:9) is what should characterize the Christian’s life and appearance. Modesty is a restrained sense of propriety, not bold or forward, not loose, not lewd; it is synonymous with chastity, or purity of manners (1 Ti. 2:9; Tit. 2:5).

              5.  Drunkenness. vs. 21 Drunkenness is the condition of being intoxicated with alcoholic beverages (Ep. 5:18).   Verses which deal with drunkenness and strong drink: Pr. 20:1; 23:29-35; 31:3-5; Is. 5:22; 28:7; Ho. 4:11; Hab. 2:15; Ro. 13:13; Ep. 5:18; Ga. 5:19-21; 1 Th. 5:6-8.

                A.  The Nature of Drunkenness: Modern-day psychology would have us believe this condition is a disease or a psychological problem, but the Bible says it is a sin (Pr. 23:29-35). Drunkenness is an act of the will (vv. 30-31). Drunkenness is a moral wickedness (v. 33). The victory over drunkenness is redemption and sanctification (1 Co. 6:10-11) through the Word (Jn. 17:17) and the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

                B.  The Deception of Drunkenness: (Pr. 23:32; 20:1). Intoxicating drink has the power to take away the senses. Thus God calls it a mocker. This is why it is foolish to say it is O.K. for a man to drink in moderation. When a man takes the first drink to his lips, he does not know what the end will be. He is no longer in control; the liquor is.

                C.  The Results of Drunkenness: Immorality (Pr. 23:33), cursing (Pr. 23:33), recklessness (Pr. 23:34), dizziness (Pr. 23:34), fighting and injury (Pr. 23:35), bondage (Pr. 23:35; 5:22-23; Jn. 8:34; Ro. 6:16), sorrow (Pr. 23:29), contention (Pr. 23:29), babbling (Pr. 23:29), redness of eyes (Pr. 23:29), poverty (Pr.23:21), loss of wisdom (Is. 28:7), takes away the heart (Ho. 4:11).  The end of drunkenness is eternal death: (1 Co. 6:9-10). Deliverance from drunkenness is salvation and sanctification: (1 Co. 6:11).

               6.  Revellings. (orgies) vs. 21   Revelling is Carousing; drunkenness; evil living (Ro. 13:13; Ga. 5:21; 1 Pe. 4:3). The night life of a riotous group of half drunken people who parade through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before the houses of their male and female friends; therefore it refers generally of feasts and drinking parties that last till late at night and indulge in revelry.

                   A.  The Night Club Scene.  Revellings, an old word also for drinking parties, riotous gatherings for entertainment, lascivious feastings,  with obscene songs and music (Rom 13:13).  It is your typical bar room scene, discos, and night clubs,  or house or frat party in a college campus area. (1 Peter 4:3)

                   B.  The Idolatrous Prostitution.  Revellings probably had special reference to the orgies that so often characterized the pagan worship ceremonies that many of the Gentile converts of Galatia had once participated in. In a more general and universal sense, however, they refer to becoming drunk under any circumstance and to all rowdy, boisterous, and crude behavior.

Living the Christian life in freedom involves realizing Christ’s righteousness in practical ways by faith and not by mechanical obedience to mere rules and rituals.  The Christian is set free from the curse of the law and the control of the law. Christian liberty is not a liberty that leads to license, but rather to maturity, responsibility, and holiness through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  To live by grace, through faith, brings us a holy freedom and a fulfilling Christian experience.  The Holy Spirit is the secret! One danger of misunderstanding freedom in Christ is a tendency toward self-indulgence, which can express itself in destructive words and actions toward other believers.