The Works of the Flesh
Galatians 5:19-21
Text: Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like…”
Introduction
Every garden has two kinds of plants:
- What you plant on purpose
- What grows on its own—the weeds
The works of the flesh are like weeds in the soul—they grow naturally when we follow our sinful desires instead of the Holy Spirit.
Paul calls them “obvious” because they show up loud and clear in broken relationships, damaged hearts, and wounded lives.
Today, we expose these weeds—not to shame—but to repent, be renewed, and walk in freedom.
Point 1: The Works of the Flesh Are the Evidence of a Life Led by Self
Paul lists three types of sinful behavior:
1. Sensual Sins (v. 19)
- Sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery
- These sins misuse the body. They chase pleasure without boundaries.
- In a culture that normalizes lust, purity is countercultural.
2. Spiritual Corruption (v. 20a)
- Idolatry and witchcraft
- Anything we love or trust more than God becomes an idol—career, money, fame, even family.
- Witchcraft here includes manipulation, control, and counterfeit spirituality.
3. Relational Destruction (v. 20b-21)
- Hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies
- These sins tear apart families, churches, and communities.
- Self is the center—and everyone else becomes a threat or a tool.
When the flesh leads, people get hurt.
Point 2: The Flesh Fights Against the Spirit
Galatians 5:17 says,
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”
You cannot walk in the flesh and bear the fruit of the Spirit at the same time.
They are two opposite roads, two opposing forces.
- The flesh says, “Do what you want.”
- The Spirit says, “Do what’s right.”
You must choose who gets the wheel.
Point 3: The Flesh Leads to Death, But the Spirit Leads to Life
Paul gives a sobering warning:
“Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:21)
This doesn’t mean if you’ve ever sinned, you’re lost. It means:
- If sin rules your life, and there’s no repentance, you’re not living under God’s rule.
But here’s the good news:
- Jesus died not just to forgive your sin, but to break its power.
Romans 8:13:
“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
Application: How to Overcome the Works of the Flesh
-
Walk by the Spirit daily (Gal. 5:16)
Spend time with God in prayer and Scripture. Let Him lead your day. -
Starve the flesh
You can’t grow in purity while feeding on impurity. What are you watching, listening to, entertaining? -
Confess and repent quickly
Don’t hide your weeds—pull them out at the root.
God forgives what you reveal, not what you conceal. -
Surround yourself with Spirit-filled community
You weren’t meant to fight the flesh alone.
Get with people who push you toward Christ, not toward compromise.
Conclusion
You can’t grow the fruit of the Spirit in the soil of the flesh.
So let’s stop making excuses for the weeds—and start cultivating what pleases God.
Jesus didn’t come to make bad people nice—He came to make dead people alive.
So live by the Spirit.
Walk in holiness.
And let your life reflect the freedom Jesus paid for.
Closing Prayer
Lord, we confess that the flesh still pulls at our hearts.
Forgive us for the weeds we’ve allowed to grow.
Cleanse us, renew us, and fill us with Your Spirit.
Help us walk in holiness—not by our strength, but by Your grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.