The Works Of The Flesh
and
The Fruit Of The Spirit

No passage in the Bible draws a clearer contrast between the lifestyle of the Spirit-filled believer and that of the sinful human nature than Galatians 5:16-26.

Paul not only discusses the general difference in lifestyles by emphasizing that the Spirit and the flesh are at war with each other, but he includes a specific list both of the works of the flesh and of the fruit of the Spirit.

The Works Of The Flesh.

"Flesh" (Gk. sarx) 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 (Romans 8:6-8,13; Galatians 5:17,21). Those who practice the deeds of the flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). Hence, they must be resisted and put to death in a continual warfare that the believer wages through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4-14; Galatians 5:17).

Galatians 5:19-21 - The works of the flesh include:

1. "Adultery" (Gk. moicheia], i.e., sexual relations of a married person with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18; Matthew 5:31-32);
   
   
2. "Fornication" (Gk. pomeia), i.e., immoral sexual conduct and intercourse; it includes taking pleasure in pornographic pictures, films, or writing (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; I Corinthiians 5:1);
   
   
3. "Uncleanness" (Gk. akatharsia), i.e., sexual sins, evil deeds, and vices, including thoughts and desires of the heart (Eph. 5:3; Colossians 3:5);
   
   
4. "Lasciviousness" (Gk. aselgeia), i.e., sensuality, following one's passions and de­sires to the point of having no shame or public decency (II Corinthians 12:21);
   
   
5. "Idolatry" (Gk. eidololatria), i.e., 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 (Colossians 3:5);
   
   
6. "Witchcraft" (Gk. pharmakeia}, i.e., sorcery, spiritism, black magic, worship of demons, and use of drugs to produce "spiritual" experiences (Exodus 7:11,22; 8:18; Revelation 9:21; 18:23);
   
   
7. "Hatred" (Gk. echthra), i.e., intense, hostile intentions and acts, extreme dislike or enmity;
   
   
8. "Variance" (Gk. eris), i.e., quarreling, antagonism, a struggle for superiority (Romans 1:29; I Corinthians 1:11; 3:3);
   
   
9. "Emulations" (Gk. zelos}, i.e., resentfulness, envy of another's success (Romans 13:13; I Corinthians 3:3);
   
   
10. "Wrath" (Gk. thumos], i.e., explosive anger or rage which flares into violent words and deeds (Colossians 3:8);
    
    
11. "Strife" (Gk. eritheia), i.e., selfish ambition and seeking of power (II Corinthians 12:20; Philemon 1:16-17);
    
    
12. "Seditions" (Gk. dichostasia), i.e., introducing divisive teachings not supported by the Word of God (Romans 16:17);
    
    
13. "Heresies" (Gk. hairesis], i.e., division within the congregation into selfish groups or cliques, which destroy the unity of the church (I Corinthians 11:19);
    
    
14. "Envyings" (Gk. phthonos), i.e., resentful dislike of another person who has something that one desires;
    
    
15. "Murders" (Gk. phonos), i.e., killing a person unlawfully and with malice;
    
    
16. "Drunkenness" (Gk. methe], i.e., impairing one's mental or physical control by alcoholic drink;
    
    
17. "Revellings" (Gk. komos), i.e., excessive feasting, revelry, a party spirit involving alcohol, drugs, sex, or the like.
    
    

Paul's final comment on the works of the flesh is stern and forceful: any so-called Christians who engage in these types of activities shut themselves out of the kingdom of God, i.e., they do not possess eternal salvation (Gal. 5:21; I Cor. 6:9).

The Fruit Of The Spirit.

Contrasted to the works of the flesh is a single-minded lifestyle called "the fruit of the Spirit." This is produced in God's children as they allow the Spirit to so direct and influence their lives that they destroy the power of sin, especially the works of the flesh, and walk in fellowship with God (Romans 8:5-14; 8:14;. II Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 4:2-3; 5:9; Colossians 3:12-15; II Peter 1:4-9).

Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit includes:

1. "Love" (Gk. agape), i.e., a caring and seeking for the highest good of another person without motive for personal gain (Romans 5:5; I Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5:2; Colossians 3:14);
   
   
2. "Joy" (Gk. chara), i.e., the feeling of gladness based on the love, grace, blessings, promises, and nearness of God that belong to those who believe in Christ (Psalm 119:16; II Corinthians 6:10; 12:9; I Peter 1:8; Philemon1:14);
   
   
3. "Peace" (Gk. eirene), i.e., the quietness of heart and mind based on the knowledge that all is well between the believer and his or her heavenly Father (Romans 15:33; Philemon 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20);
   
   
4. "Longsuffering" (Gk. makrothumia], i.e., endurance, patience, being slow to anger or despair (Ephesians 4:2; II Timothy 3:10; Hebrews 12:1);
   
   
5. "Gentleness" (Gk. chrestotes), i.e., not wanting to hurt someone or give him or her pain (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12);
   
   
6. "Goodness" (Gk. agathosune), i.e., zeal for truth arid righteousness and a hatred for evil; it can be expressed in acts of kindness (Luke 7:37-50) or in rebuking and correcting evil (Matthew 21:12-13);
   
   
7. "Faith" (Gk.pistis), i.e., faithfulness, firm and unswerving loyalty and adherence to a person to whom one is united by promise, commitment, trustworthiness, and honesty (Matthew 23:23; Romans 3:3; I Timothy 6:12; II Timothy 2:2; 4:7; Titus 2:10);
   
   
8. "Meekness" (Gk. prautes], i.e., restraint coupled with strength and courage; it describes a person who can be angry when anger is needed and humbly submissive when submission is needed (II Timothy 2:25; I Peter 3:15; for meekness in Jesus, compare Matthew 11:29 with Matthew 23; Mark 3:5; in Paul, compare II Corinthians 10:1 with 10:4-6; Galatians 1:9; in Moses, compare Numbers 12:3 with Exodus 32:19-20);
   
   
9. "Temperance" (Gk. egkrateia), i.e., having control or mastery over one's own desires and passions, including faithfulness to one's marriage vows; also purity, chastity (I Corinthians 9:25; Tit. 1:8; 2:5).
   
   

Paul's final comment on the fruit of the Spirit indicates that there are no restrictions to the lifestyle indicated here. Christians can - in fact, ought to - practice these virtues over and over again; they will never discover a law prohibiting them from living according to these principles.