THE WORKS OF THE FLESH Galatians 5:19–21 «“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of 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.”»

The works of the flesh reveal the influence and strongholds of Satan in the life of a person. This is why we must go to Calvary and crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts.

Those who live in the Spirit must also walk in the Spirit, so that they will not fulfil the desires of the flesh.

For the Holy Spirit of God to manifest freely in a person’s life, the flesh must continually be brought under subjection. Anyone who claims to have been born again for many years, yet continues to live and operate under the influence of the flesh, should sincerely examine his life to determine whether he is truly born again.

Sin has a way of manifesting its image in the life it possesses. Once it gains access, it seeks to establish its stronghold and reveal itself through the words, desires, attitudes, and actions of the person under its influence. A man filled with lustful desires, fornication, and adultery will eventually manifest the image and character of those sins in his life.

If the devil succeeds in planting a seed of sin in a person’s life, that seed is sufficient to corrupt and gradually make that life unprofitable to God. When an evil spirit is given control, it can create room for greater demonic influences, making the life increasingly miserable and destructive.

The manner in which an adulterer or fornicator looks at the opposite sex can reveal the kind of desires and influences operating within him. Likewise, those with similar desires can often recognise and identify with such manifestations.

In the same way, a person given to smoking or drug addiction may eventually manifest the destructive influence controlling his life. A thief also manifests the character of what controls him. His ways, attitudes, and actions will eventually reveal what is at work within him.

This is how the works of the flesh manifest themselves. A person under the influence of witchcraft or sorcery will reveal it through his words and actions. The works of the flesh are outward manifestations of the spiritual influences that have gained control of a life.

Likewise, those who are led and possessed by the Spirit of God manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Their words, actions, desires, and decisions increasingly reflect the Spirit of God who directs and governs them.

The natural man is under the control of the flesh, and the flesh, when left uncrucified, becomes an instrument through which the devil seeks to use man to accomplish his destructive purpose against humanity.

The fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh cannot continue to reign together in the same vessel. A person must either empty his life of the works of the flesh or retain them until they eventually bring destruction. The Holy Spirit and demonic influences cannot occupy and govern the same life. When the Spirit of God takes His rightful place in a life, every contrary influence must give way.

Little by little, as a person yields himself to the Spirit of God, the works of the flesh are removed, and the fruit of the Spirit begins to develop within the soul. The transformed life then produces good works as the evidence of a life being led by the Spirit of God and growing unto salvation.

Prayer: Father lord, I surrender my life to you; fashion me the way that pleases you, to your glory and honour, in Jesus’ name, amen.