Pastor Billy Myron continues the Christian Life series with Sin Nature Part 4, focusing on the works of the flesh from Galatians 5:19-21. He begins by reading Galatians 5:16-25, emphasizing walking by the Spirit to avoid fulfilling the desires of the flesh, which wars against the Spirit. Those who practice such works will not inherit the Kingdom of God, while the fruit of the Spirit faces no law, and those in Christ have crucified the flesh.
The teaching examines specific works: idolatry, covetousness (as a related concept), and witchcraft. Idolatry involves religious service to visible objects rather than God. Christians are called to present their bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) and to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18), recognizing believers as the temple of the living God. Temptation is common to man, with God providing a way of escape.
Covetousness (greed) is linked directly to idolatry in Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:3-5. It represents desiring more than what God provides, elevating something above God as the highest priority, much like modern uses of “idolizing” something. Paul illustrates this struggle in Romans 7, where the commandment against coveting awakens the sin nature, leading to the internal conflict of wanting to do right but failing without reliance on the Spirit (addressed in Romans 6).
Witchcraft (pharmakeia) refers to potions, medicines, alchemy, and the superstitious awe or religious mystery attached to such practices. It is not limited to ancient sorcery but includes misplaced awe in rituals or experiences over rational, Bible-based worship. This persists, as seen in Revelation 18:23, where sorceries deceive nations in the future Tribulation period.
These works of the flesh attack the soul with appetites that twist good things (e.g., desire, anger). The list in Galatians 5 is representative (”and things like these”), urging discernment to live spiritually rather than carnally by walking in the Spirit.
