The Bible warns believers about giving in to the “works of the flesh” and instead encourages us to live by the Spirit and bear the “fruit of the Spirit.” The works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are contrasted in Galatians 5:19-23. The works of the flesh are characteristics, attitudes and behaviors that emanate from the sinful nature, while the fruit of the Spirit are godly virtues that come from the Holy Spirit working in the believer.
According to Galatians 5:19-21, “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.” Let’s take a closer look at each of these works of the flesh:
Sexual Immorality
The Greek word translated “sexual immorality” is porneia. This is a broad term that covers all types of sexual sin including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lust, pornography, prostitution, rape, and incest. Any sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman is considered sexual immorality. Sexual sins are damaging in many ways – they destroy marriages and families, harm our relationship with God, and hurt the people involved (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Impurity
Impurity refers to moral corruption or filthiness. While sexual immorality is one manifestation of impurity, this word encompasses anything that defiles a person’s mind, heart or conscience. Impure thoughts, speech, motives, and behaviors that dishonor God are considered impurities of the flesh (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Sensuality
Sensuality is unrestrained indulgence in physical pleasures and carnal appetites. A sensual person is controlled by their senses and lives to gratify the body. They are prone to impurity and sexual sin because they lack self-control. The sensual works of the flesh are in direct contrast to walking in the Spirit (1 John 2:15-17).
Idolatry
Idolatry is worshipping an idol instead of the one true God. This can include revering a false god or deity, but it also means putting anything ahead of our devotion to God. Our careers, relationships, hobbies, possessions – when these become our primary focus and source of meaning, they are modern idols. God promises to judge idolaters who do not repent (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Sorcery
The original Greek word is pharmakeia, from which we get the English words pharmacy, pharmacist, and pharmaceuticals. But in New Testament times, this referred to the use of drugs, “spells” and rituals, witchcraft, and anything involving magic or the occult. Sorcery represents efforts to gain power, knowledge or satisfaction through supernatural means outside of God. It relies on demonic forces (Revelation 18:23).
Enmity
Enmity is hatred, hostility, or ill-will. It is the opposite of showing Christ-like love. Harboring bitterness, resentment, or having an antagonistic attitude toward others is the sin of enmity. It destroys relationships and often stems from pride. As believers, we are called to forgive others and resolve conflicts, not cling to enmity (Ephesians 4:31-32).
Strife
Strife refers to conflict, fights and heated disagreements. It is similar to enmity but stresses clashing, rivalry or factionalism between people or groups. Strife in the church destroys our witness and unity. We are instructed to live peaceably with one another, avoiding strife (Philippians 2:14-15).
Jealousy
Jealousy is resentment or bitterness over the blessings, success, or popularity of someone else. It is a form of covetousness. Jealousy suspects others of disloyalty or ill motives without cause. Godly love “does not envy” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Instead we should rejoice in others’ gifts and blessings (Romans 12:15).
Fits of Anger
Fits or outbursts of anger demonstrate a loss of self-control and often lead to harming someone physically or emotionally. Rage, temper tantrums, verbal abuse, violence, and discord come from selfish anger rather than righteous indignation over injustice. As believers, we are told to be “slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Rivalries
Rivalries refer to competition, dissension, discord or factions within the church. When believers clash with each other, pitting groups against one another, the Body of Christ is divided. Petty rivalries waste time and distract from our purpose of serving Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:3-9).
Dissensions
Similar to rivalries, dissensions are disagreements that lead to divisions within the church. Dissension causes instability, quarrels and controversies that hinder the work of God’s kingdom. As believers, we are called to be unified, at peace, and joined in purpose (1 Corinthians 12:24-25).
Divisions
Divisions refer to discord, splintering, disunity or sectarianism within the church. When believers divide into cliques or form new denominations due to disputes, the Body of Christ is fractured. Jesus prayed for our spiritual unity so the world would believe (John 17:20-23). Division hinders our witness.
Envy
Envy is similar to jealousy but refers to resenting the blessings or prosperity of others. Jealousy wants to protect what it already has, while envy covets what it lacks. Envy stems from ingratitude for what God has already given us. It robs us of contentment and joy. We must crucify envy and rejoice when others are blessed (Romans 12:15).
Drunkenness
Drunkenness refers to intoxication from the excessive use of alcohol. But it can also apply to the abuse of prescription or illegal drugs that alter one’s state of mind. Drunkenness leads to loss of self-control, poor decision making, addiction, health problems, and the destruction of relationships. The Bible instructs believers to avoid drunkenness and addiction (Proverbs 23:29-35).
Orgies
The Greek word komos refers to wild parties, revelries and drunken carousing. God wants us to celebrate responsibly without participating in excessive sensual indulgence. Drunkenness and sexual sin often go together as inhibitions are lowered. As Christians, we are to pursue wholesome interactions that glorify God (1 Peter 4:3-4).
Things Like These
The phrase “and things like these” makes it clear the list of works of the flesh is not exhaustive. There are many other sins, attitudes, and behaviors that reflect the sinful nature at work in someone’s life. Even sins that seem more socially acceptable like greed, pride, or gluttony can demonstrate fleshly desires in control rather than the Holy Spirit.
Controlling the Flesh
Why does Paul refer to these sinful behaviors as “works of the flesh”? Our flesh represents the remnants of the old sinful nature still dwelling in believers. As Paul explains further in Galatians 5, the flesh and the Spirit are at odds within us. The flesh produces unrighteous works, while the Spirit produces godly fruit.
Sinning occasionally does not necessarily mean someone is not a believer. But when there is a pattern of fleshly behavior dominating a person’s lifestyle, it indicates the Holy Spirit is not in control. Paul sternly warned the Corinthian church not to tolerate sexual immorality among its members, but to purge this leaven (1 Corinthians 5:1-7).
Rather than despair over the flesh, Christians are called to “walk by the Spirit” so we will “not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). We have God’s power through Christ and the Spirit to reject and overcome sinful urges. Our responsibility is to submit to God, pursue holiness, remove stumbling blocks, and draw near to God through spiritual disciplines.
Thankfully, we serve a merciful and forgiving God who will help us battle against the flesh when we stumble. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins, so we can confess, repent, and receive complete forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). We must allow God’s Spirit to search our hearts, illuminating and purging any areas still influenced by the flesh.
Fruit of the Spirit
While the works of the flesh reflect human sinfulness, God graciously gives His children the Holy Spirit to produce spiritual fruit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit as: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
Notice the contrast between the works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. The flesh produces sexual immorality, while the Spirit enables us to have self-control. The flesh causes outbursts of anger, jealousy, and envy – but the Spirit gives us patience, peace and kindness. The flesh profits nothing, but the fruit of the Spirit benefits our relationships with God and others.
This spiritual fruit does not come by our self-effort, but only grows as we yield to the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is one of constant submission to God as He works in us to transform our sinful nature. Our responsibility is to humbly obey Him, while trusting in His power to produce His righteousness in our lives. We must saturate ourselves in God’s Word to renew our minds and stay connected to the Vine of Christ (John 15:4-5).
The ongoing battle between flesh and Spirit continues throughout the believer’s life, but we can have victory through the power of Christ (Romans 7:14-25). God calls us to repentance when we stumble, and gives us His mercy and grace to move forward in new obedience. By the Spirit’s enablement, we can increasingly reflect the character of Christ and fulfill God’s purposes.