Gospelology (Part 16 - week 2)
Flesh and Spirit
Galatians 5:16-19 ESV
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Method of the law vs the gospel
We have to look at the law as a external method of Change. It could point at you and tell you what to do but it could give you no desire or power to change. We can use fear and threats restrict actions to have a form of godliness but we are not addressing the deepest parts. The Gospel points to a new birth. A new Spirit. A new life. To Godʼs breath that lives in side you giving you the power to change. Not just to point at you and tell you what you are not doing and try to get your flesh to produce something good.
Purpose of the Spirit's operation
The ultimate purpose of the Spiritʼs operation in the Christian is to change us into the likeness and character of Jesus Christ. (cf. Rom.8:29 – “He predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” and Eph.4:13 – “Till we reach maturity, the fullness of the stature of Christ.”) So the ultimate goal is not some kind of general comfort, strength or power, but concrete, practical change in our character — how we think, feel, and act habitually and naturally.
Opposing desires at war in us
- James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. - The “over-desires” of the sinful flesh - Both in v.16 and in v.24, Paul calls the desires of the flesh “epithumia.” In the older versions, this word was translated “lust” which led the English reader to think of sexual desire. In modern translations the word is just translated “desires” but that is maybe even more unhelpful. Literally, epithumia means an “over-desire,” an all-controlling drive and longing. This is crucial. It means that the main problem our heart has is not so much desires for bad things, but our over-desires for good things. When a good thing becomes our “god” or salvation, it creates “overdesires.” Thus Paul says that sinful desires become deep things that drive and control us. Sin creates within us the feeling that we must have this-or-that.
What does the Christian truly “want”?
It is easy to overlook, but Paul makes an extremely telling statement when he says, “They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want.” (v.17c) This is a parallel passage to Romans 7:22-23 where he says that “I delight in the law in my inmost being” yet he discerned a power “in my members, at war with the principle of my mind, bringing me captive.” In other words, the Spirit is what we most deeply “want,” yet the sinful nature continues to generate alternate desires which we experience and can give in to, but which now contradict our most abiding love and goals. The reborn person then, has both sinful desires and godly desires, but “we” most truly want what the Spirit- nature wants. This statement is filled with hope and affirmation. Even when we are falling into sin, we can say, with Paul, “This is not the real me; this is not what I really want. I want God and his will.”
Works of the flesh
There are three words having to do with the works of the flesh in the area of sexuality: (1) sexual immorality – “porneia” – sexual intercourse between unmarried people (2) impurity – “akatharsia” – unnatural sexual practices and relationships (3) debauchery – “aselgia” – uncontrolled sexuality There are two words having to do with the area of religion: (1) idolatry – “eidololatria” (2) witchcraft – “pharmakeia” Because idolatry is paired with witchcraft, it is not referring to the very broad inclusive practice of making good things like career into a “god” (cf. Eph.5:5 and Col.3:5). Rather, he is referring to the very specific occult and pagan religious practices. “Idolatry and sorcery were examples of the sins of pagan worship, the first providing an inadequate substitute for God, and the second counterfeiting the works of the Spirit” (D.Guthrie, Galatians, p.137). There are eight words that describe how the flesh destroys relationships: Four describe destructive attitudes: (1) selfish ambition – “eritheia” – competitiveness, a self-seeking (2) envy – “phthonoi” – coveting, a desire for what others have (3) jealousy – “zdlos” – the zeal and energy that comes from a hungry ego (4) hatred – “echthrai” – hostility, an adversarial attitude Four describe the results of these attitudes in relationships: (1) discord – “eris” – argumentative, “fight-picking” behavior (2) fits of rage – “thumoi” – outbursts of anger (leading to #3) (3) dissensions – “dichostaiai” – divisions between people (4) factions – “aireseis” – permanent parties and warring factions There are two words that refer to substance abuse: (1) drunkenness (2) orgies These two words are linked. Orgies are not “sex-orgies” but “drinking orgies.” One of the works of the flesh is addiction to pleasure-creating substances and behavior. Another way to break down this list into categories is to notice that some of the sins are characteristic of religious people (selfishness, envy, jealousy, factions), while others are more characteristic of irreligious people (immorality, drunkenness). This list shows us that God does not make the kind of distinctions that we commonly do, seeing sex and drink as more sinful than jealousy and ambition.
Fruits of the Spirit
1. Agape – love Definition – To serve a person for their good and intrinsic value, not for what the person brings you. 2. Chara – joy Definition – Delight in God and his salvation for sheer beauty and worth of who he is. 3. Irene – peace Definition – Confidence and rest in the wisdom and sovereignty of God more than your own 4. Makrothumia – patience Definition – Ability to take trouble (from others or life) without blowing. To suffer joyfully. 5. Chrestotes – kindness Definition – Practical kindness with vulnerability out of deep inner security. 6. Agathosune – goodness (integrity) Definition – Honesty, transparency. Being the same in one situation as another. 7. Pistis – faithfulness Definition – Loyalty. Courage. To be principle-driven, committed, utterly reliable. True to oneʼs word. 8. Prautas – gentleness (humility) Definition – Self-forgetfulness. 9. Egkrateia – self-control Definition – Ability to choose the urgent over the important thing.
How do I know it is the Spirit or me?
Filter #1- The works of the flesh are obvious. Do not over look the obvious!!! Filter #2 - The works of the flesh are all man centered. Is it at the core pointing to you or Christ? Filter #3 - The works of the flesh are over desires. Even if they are a “good” thing you want that more then you want God to be glorified and others edified. What happens if it was gone tomorrow or it did not come? would you loose all hope identity purpose? Filter #4 - The fruit of the Spirit are for Godʼs glory and the edification of others.
Mortification & Vivification
Mortification - this is not just absence this it the flesh is crucified w/ Christ. It is my flesh itʼs passions and desires are now on the cross with Jesus. It is learning not to just allow your self to become religious. But killing the desires. Submitting them to Gospel. Vivification - The power of the Holy Spirit. Christ in me. To walk by the spirit. The reason savior is a live in me. The Fruit Comes, The Tree Isnʼt Bare (Vivification)