The Flesh Is A Mess!

The word "Mess" in the Oxford Language Dictionary mean "a dirty or untidy state of things or of a place." or "a situation or state of affairs that is confused or full of difficulties." When we speak of the flesh, as it pertains to the bible, we're speaking of that part of man, that has not been redeemed. According to Paul, we were all by nature children of wrath, who once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind (Ephesians 2:3). Our sinful nature is evidenced by our inclination toward seeking our own interests, to disobey and rebel against God, the Law Giver (For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. John 1:17 ) The bible tell us in Galatians 5:19-20 that when we follow the desires of the flesh, the results are very clear: adultery (sexual immorality), impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. The English Standard Version of the bible tell us "English Standard Version, "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." I would hope that now you're beginning to understand why "The Flesh is A Mess". Let us examine "The works of the flesh" according to the word of God, Galatian 5_19-20.

“Adultery” or “immorality”, the Greek word is porneia, from which the English word “pornography” comes. It refers to all illicit sexual activity, including (but not limited to), adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and prostitution.

“Lasciviousness” or “sensuality”. The word originally referred to any excessive behavior or lack of restraint, but eventually became associated with sexual excess and indulgence.

When the man is walking in the lust of the flesh, he does whatever feels good to him, right or wrong. It seems that this adultery here, is also covering homosexual acts. There are two kinds of adultery. Spiritual adultery is when you follow and give allegiance to false gods. Physical adultery is having sexual relations with anyone you are not married to. This includes having sexual relations man with another man, and also, women with other women. “Fornication”, in the verse above, is speaking of sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. Uncleanness, here, means impurity, physical or moral. Lasciviousness covers many acts including wantonness and any filthy act. We would call it perversion.

“Witchcraft” or “sorcery”. The Greek word pharmakeia, from which the English word “pharmacy” comes, originally referred to medicines in general, but eventually only to mood and mind-altering drugs, as well as the occult, witchcraft, and magic. Many pagan religious practices required the use of these drugs to aid in the communication with deities. “Witchcraft” is sorcery, which is tampering with the powers of evil. This would include dabbling in the occult.

“Strife … heresies”: Many of these sins manifested in the area of human relationships have to do with some form of anger: “Hatred” results in “strife”. “Jealousy” (hateful resentment), results in “outbursts of anger” (sudden, unrestrained expressions of hostility). The next 4 represent animosity between individuals and groups.

“Idolatry” is not just the worship of a graven image, but putting one’s chief affections on any object or person instead of on God.

“Variance” is strife or discord. “Emulations” means “jealousy.” “Strife” is selfish ambition. “Seditions” are dissension. “Heresies” are permanent, organized division or cliques.

“Drunkenness, revellings”: Probably a specific reference to the orgies that characterized pagan, idolatrous worship. Generally, it refers to all rowdy, boisterous, and crude behavior.

“Revellings” means excessive eating, or gluttony, as well as carousing. “Do” (practice):

The person whose life is habitually characterized by the sins and vices of (verses 19-21), “shall not” inherit the kingdom of God.” That is, he will not be in heaven because he is not a Christian. Again, to “Do such things (or “practice” such things)”: Here is the key word in Paul’s warnings. The sense of the Greek verb describes continual, habitual action. Although believers undoubtedly can commit these sins, those people whose basic character is summed up in the uninterrupted and unrepentant practice of them cannot belong to God (see notes on 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 John 3:4-10). Hence, this why I would dare to say, without Jesus Christ in the life of The Believer, "The Flesh Is A Mess!"