Pastor Luther Walker continues his study in Galatians 5 on the works of the flesh, beginning from verse 16 which instructs believers to walk by the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the strong desires of the flesh. The flesh and Spirit are opposed, and the law cannot defeat fleshly desires. Verse 19 lists manifestations of the flesh, which are not always equivalent to sin but can produce unrighteousness or outright sin.
The message covers sexual sins (adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness), religious superstitious works including idolatry and sorcery (explained as manipulating the soul through environment or appearance, such as music, to create a false sense of closeness to God), and heresies as deliberate separation. It then addresses self-seeking and self-gratifying works: enmity (hostility), strife (underlying hostility causing division), jealousy (an inner burning emotion to possess what others have, distinct from envy which resents others having something without desiring it oneself), and selfish ambition (conduct motivated by personal advantage rather than truth).
Jealousy and self-seeking are linked to earthly, sensual, and demonic wisdom (James 3), producing confusion and worthless actions, often leading to boasting against the truth. Examples include the high priest’s jealousy leading to imprisoning the apostles (Acts 5) and the silversmiths’ inner burning anger in Ephesus (Acts 19). Thumos (inner burning anger, mistranslated as outbursts of wrath in some versions) is distinguished from wrath; it controls the mind like intense anger and is carnal, seen in Romans 2, 2 Corinthians 12, and Revelation 12 where Satan exhibits great indignation upon being cast down.
Selfish ambition appears in church contexts, such as seeking higher positions like elder boards for status rather than pastoring, or preaching Christ for money or to afflict others (Philippians 1). Divisions involve severing groups, often over titles, practices like tongues, or personalities; believers are urged to note and avoid those causing them (Romans 16). Envy is malicious resentment toward others’ success without desiring it, seen in Christ’s betrayal (Matthew 27), unrighteousness lists (Romans 1), and false teaching (1 Timothy 6, Titus 3). Senseless slaughter (broader than human murder, including purposeless killing for gain) flows from the heart (Matthew 15) and appears in unrighteousness and persecution of the just (James 5, Hebrews 11).
Drunkenness refers to intoxication that distracts from reality, not limited to alcohol but including religious craving for saints’ blood (Revelation 17); it marks those walking in darkness (Romans 13, 1 Thessalonians 5). Revelry involves boisterous, lewd parties with strong desires and idolatry. “And such like” indicates the list is not exhaustive, covering any mind-manipulating practices like drugs.
Those characterized by practicing these works will not inherit the kingdom of God, but this addresses habitual, defining lifestyles, not struggles. Christians, born of God, cannot habitually sin (1 John 3:9) because they are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5) and must cast off works of darkness (Romans 13). Victory comes not by directly fighting the sin nature but by knowing positional truth (Romans 6: knowing the old man was crucified, reckoning oneself dead to sin and alive to God), and yielding to the Spirit’s good desires through walking by the Spirit, which renders the sin nature ineffective and produces newness of life.
