Characteristics (fruit) of carnality

As we continue to search our hearts in an effort to understand and find ourselves, let's take a look in the book of Galations.

Galations 5 (KJV)

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.

Basically, if you keep yourself occupied with spiritual things, it will keep you out of trouble. The more you stick to the basics of your spiritual life, the stronger your faith will become. The stronger your faith, the weaker the lure of sin will become in your life. A former Pastor of mine once put it this way. "When the desires of your heart become the desires of HIS heart, they will be fulfilled.". What an awesome statement.

Before we go on, lets look at this in a couple of other versions.

Amplified Version

16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).Complete Jewish Bible16 What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants.

This clarifies the meaning of this scripture a great deal more to me by expanding it to it's fullest. . a habitual walk in the spirit - constantly seeking his will, allowing him to control us, allowing him to guide us. .

The Complete Jewish Bible is another version that stuck out to me on this verse. This time, not by expanding, but by simply making a blunt statement.

Complete Jewish Bible
16 What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants.

Let's go on.

Gal. 5 (KJV)
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;

I'm going to break these down by the meaning of their original root word. It really brings the scripture to life.

Adultery
Sexual activity between a married person with someone other than their spouse.

Fornication
From "Porneiva” meaning illicit sex, fornication, homosexuality, beastiality, incest, and even intercourse with a divorced person

Uncleanness
Lustful, luxurious, shamelessly immoral or extravagant (loss of modesty)

Lasciviousnes
Knowing no boundries, usually with a sexual overtone, but can be broadened to other areas of life

Idolatry
The worship of false gods, however, it can be broadened to cover anything in your life that you put before God (family, job, hobbies, even church duties).

Witchcraft
From ”Farmekia” meaning the use or the administering of drugs or poisons. Also can be applied to but is not limited to the use of drugs and poisons in sorcery, magical arts, etc.

Hatred
This pretty much speaks for itself.

Variance
Contention or strife

Emulations
Jealousy

Wrath
Outbursts of anger

Strife
Selfish ambition

Seditions
Divisions (I wonder if this covers denominational boundries. . .)

Heresies
Believing that no one elses thoughts are equal to the caliber of your “group” or “cliché”

Envyings
The desire to have the physical belongings of others

Murders

Drunkenness

Revellings
Partying (whew, who knew this was in here??)

and such like:
Just in case anything was left out, scripture has a way of saying "Use your common sense!"

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.

Getting deep, isn't it? Stew on this a bit and we'll look at the rest of this verse in our next edition.

See you next time,

Shawn

Who are you?

Many years ago, my family befriended a seasoned Evangelist that used to talk about how every church has the same people in it. They have different faces and different names, but they are the same people. As I began traveling as a preacher/singer, I noticed just how true this was. After a while, I could walk into a church and immediately tell who the trouble maker was, who the spiritual leader was, the prayer warrior, the hypocrite, etc.

As time passed and I became more seasoned of a minister (whether through music or scripture), I learned that these roles didn’t always remain the same. I’ve seen prayer warriors turn into gossips and spiritual leaders turn into pew sitters. Unfortunately, sometimes this results in churches who were once a beacon in their community becoming nearly desolate and definitely ineffective for God.

My challenge for you this week is to evaluate who you are in the church. What role are you playing?

• Lost Person
• New Convert
• Backslider
• Repentant Prodigal
• Pew Sitter
• Servant Leader
• Gossip
• Prayer Warrior
• Defeated Christian
• Victorious Overcomer
• Trouble Maker
• Peace Maker
• Brown-noser
• Encourager
• Proud Snob
• Joyful Greeter
• Religious Hypocrite
• Humble Servant

For each negative, there is a positive.You may have amazing talents that are being used in selfish ways. Who are you in the church, and what can you do to improve your relationship your relationship with God? Stay tuned as we look a little deeper at this next week.

Shawn