Works of the Flesh
LESSON 7
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n its simplest form,
idolatry is defined as “the worship of false gods.” The history of the human race is filled with those who have
worshiped idols. These objects have consisted of various materials such as mounds
of dirt, wood, stone, and metals. All of these are in direct opposition to the
one and only true God of eternity. [1]
When the apostle Paul entered Athens
Greece on one of his evangelistic journeys, he was appalled at their idolatry.
He began his address to them by saying, “for as I was passing through and
considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this
inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without
knowing, Him I proclaim to you:” (Acts 17:23). [2]
The
theme of his message was the fact that the true God was unknown to them. Even
though their city was filled with objects of worship, none of these represented
the only true and living God. Therefore, Paul was informing them that they were
worshiping idols! [3]
To show them the difference between
their idolatry and true worship, Paul said, “Therefore, since we are the
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or
silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising” (Acts 17:29).
He concluded his message by calling for repentance
and said, “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world
in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of
this to all by raising Him from the dead”
(Acts
17:31). [4]
How did they respond to his message?
“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while
others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter’ “ (Acts 17:32).
As Paul left them, he must have
realized how difficult it was to overthrow the worshiping of idols and all
forms of idolatry. [5]
The history of idolatry becomes even
sadder when God’s own people (Israel) became involved in it. In God’s plan to
bring His Son to the earth to give His life in
sacrifice for the sins of the world, it was necessary for Him to be born from a
prepared nation. Therefore, for this purpose, God developed a nation through
the seed of Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). This nation was called Israel, and God
wanted it to be a pure nation. [6]
He gave them (through Moses) ten
basic commandments to keep them from the evil influences of the world. As He
gave the commandments to keep them from getting involved in the works of the
flesh, He began with a commandment against idolatry. [7]
“You
shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved
image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the
earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down
to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting
the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations
of those who
hate Me” (Exodus
20:3-5). [8]
Did this stop them from worshiping
idols? Unfortunately not! Because even when Moses returned from receiving this
commandment against idols, they were worshiping a calf of gold. While Moses was
away to receive the Ten Commandments, they insisted that Aaron make them an
image. Aaron explains to his brother Moses what they said: “For they said to
me, `Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who
brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'
And I said to them, `Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.' So they gave
it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out” (Exodus 32:23-24). [9]
How disturbing it must have been to
Moses to find them involved in idolatry! Observe his response: “So it was,
as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So
Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke
them at the foot of the mountain. Then he took the calf which they had made,
burned it in the fire, and ground it to powder; and
he scattered it on the water and made the children of Israel drink it” (Exodus 32:19-20). [10]
The question that often comes to our
minds may be, “Why have so many over the centuries been attracted to worshiping
idols? Has it been because the idols were attractive? No, most of them were
unattractive, ugly, and sometimes even repulsive. For example, the image of
Diana in the temple at Ephesus where the whole city was in an uproar when
threatened (Acts 19:40), was nothing more than an ugly carved figure. And yet,
the people believed that she was “the image which fell down from Artemis or
Zeus” (Acts 19:35).
It seems that their favorite song, which they chanted for about two hours, was “Great
is Diana of the Ephesians!” (vs. 34). [11]
As we consider the many idols, gods,
and goddesses of the first century, we might mistakenly come to the conclusion
that there are no idols today. However, this conclusion would be false. It is
true that we do not have the same types of images and idolatry of that day, and
we may not bow before a carved image, but we can still have our many idols.
[12]
Anything
that becomes so important to us that we exalt it above God is an idol. It may
be the love of money, the many physical things of life, careers, hobbies, and
sports, but anything that we reverence above God becomes idolatry. For example, covetousness is idolatry: “Therefore
put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness,
passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry”
(Colossians 3:5). [13]
Perhaps the leading problem today is
the love of money! This motivates millions to bow down to covetousness. Paul
wrote: “For the love of money is a root of all
kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their
greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). [14]
Please
note that the problem is not money, but the love of money that is involved in
all kinds of evil! Paul was not just referring to the people of the world, but
to those who stray from the faith. Just think of the ones you know in the
church, who place money and the things that it buys before serving God! Also,
think about those in the church who refuse to give to the work of the Lord as
they have been prospered (1 Corinthians 16:1,2). Covetousness leads them to
spend most of their money on themselves! [15]
Therefore,
idolatry is one of the works of the flesh that will keep us out of the kingdom
of God. Remember, if God does not have first place in our lives, He has NO
place. Christians must put away all idolatry from their lives! [16]
One
of the definitions of sorcery or witchcraft is “magical arts, often found in
connection with idolatry and fostered by it.” [17]
This
word originally was associated with drugs that were used in a good or bad way
(drugging). However, in the Old Testament it was associated with witchcraft and
enchantment (cf. Ex. 7:11,22; Isa. 47:9,12). This sin
appeared early in the history of the New Testament church. When Philip went
down to Samaria to preach Christ, he found a man named Simon who had
successfully deceived the people with his magic arts. [18]
Luke
records: “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced
sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was
someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,
saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ And they heeded him because he
had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time” (Acts 8:9-11).
But Simon, along with others,
believed the preaching concerning the kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, and
“both men and women were baptized” (vss. 12,13). [19]
However,
when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit could be received by the laying on of hands,
he offered the apostles money to be able to do the same. Evidently, he was
tempted to return to his old life of sorcery. Therefore, Peter must warn and rebuke him! [20]
“But
Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the
gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in
this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God’ ” (Acts 8:20,21). [21]
Simon’s
only hope of being saved from this sin was to repent and pray for
forgiveness. Simon evidently did
this, because after Peter had severely rebuked him and described his awful
condition, Simon said, “Pray to the Lord for me,
that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me” (Acts 8:24). [22]
Sorcery
is based on lies and is a work of the flesh. Therefore, we must train our
children to be aware of such. Even though they are exposed to viewing
witchcraft as a form of entertainment, they need to be taught of its history.
The devil has successfully used sorcery over the years as a forceful weapon to
destroy souls. [23]
Because
of its claim to contact the spirit-world, sorcery has been in the past, as well
as today, associated with idolatry. Remember, idolatry is an enemy to
Christianity, and must be avoided. [24]
Shortly
after Paul began his first missionary journey, he encountered, on the Island of
Cyprus, a sorcerer and false prophet named Elymas. What did this evil one do
when Paul made an effort to teach the proconsul, Sergius Paulus? Elymas “withstood
them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith” (Acts 13:8). [25]
How
did Paul feel about this sorcerer and his evil ways? Paul said to him: “O
full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all
righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10). [26]
This
man’s sorcery must have been repulsive to Paul because he said to him: “
‘And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not
seeing the sun for a time.’ And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he
went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand” (Acts 13:11). Sorcery, with all of
its lies, should be repulsive to Christians today! [27]
What happened when those of the
first century were converted to Christianity? When Paul preached and demonstrated the power of God in
Ephesus, we are told: “And many who had believed came confessing and telling
their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books
together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of
them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:18,19). [28]
Therefore,
Paul includes sorcery in his list of the works of the flesh that will keep one
from entering the kingdom of God. [29].
Review Questions For Lesson 7
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. Something Paul found in Athens with an inscription (Acts
17:23)
(a) Temple (b) Statue (c) Unknown god
2. Something about Moses that became hot
(Ex. 32:19)
(a) Hatred (b) Anger (c)
Mind
3. That which Elymas became for a time
or season (Acts 13:11)
(a) Blind (b) A Believer
(c) Impatient
4.
An animal image formed from gold (Ex. 32:24)
(a) Oxen (b) Lamb (c) Calf
5. Paul called Elymas a “child of the
-----------“ (Acts 13:10)
(a) Evil One (b) Devil (c) gods
6. Elymas, a sorcerer, tried to turn the
proconsul “away from the -----“ (Acts 13:8)
(a) Way (b) Faith (c)
Teaching
7. That which rebellious Israel wanted
to made to go before them (Ex. 32:23)
(a) gods (b) A Light (c)
A Cloud
8. Something about Simon, who had been a sorcerer, that was not right (Acts 8:20,21)
(a) Money (b) Thinking
(c) Heart
9. The love of this is the root of all
kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10 NKJV)
(a) Money (b) Power (c)
Fame
10.
Those of whom are all of God (Acts 17:29)
(a) Creatures (b) Peoples (c) Offspring
11. That which Simon asked to be done (Acts 8:24)
(a) Pray For Him (b) Confess His Name (c) Give Him Power
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F 1. Material for an image used for dancing (Ex. 32:19,24) Bronze
T F 2. A goddess in
Ephesus (Acts 19:34) Zeus
T F 3. “for the
---- of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Tim. 6:10) Love
T F
4.
A word used to describe God (Ex. 20:5) Jealous
T F
5. This sin is defined as idolatry (Col. 3:5) Lust
T F 6.
Idolatry is “the worship of ----- gods” [1] False
T F
7. A subject that caused
some of the Athenians to mock (Acts 17:32) God
T F 8. A number representing a set of commandments [7] Twelve
T F 9. Anything exalted above ---------- is an idol [13] Self
T F 10.
A sorcerer who believed, but tried to buy the gift of God with money (Acts
8:9-24) Simon
T F 11. Something carved that was forbidden (Ex.
20:3,4) Images
T F
12. That which Moses said he was not (Ex.
4:10) Foolish
T F
13. This word, along with enchantment,
was connected with sorcery [17] Witchcraft
T F 14. A nation was developed through this man’s seed [6] Moses
T F 15. The kind of GOD the Athenians worshiped (Acts 17:23) Unknown
T F 16. The
third thing that the Divine Nature is not like (Acts 17:29) Gold
T F 17. A sorcerer encountered by Paul on
Cypress [25] Simon
T F 18. That which the Athenians were worshiping [3] Idols
—BBBristow
Sins Against Others — Murders
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aul continues his list with the awful sin of murder. This word is left out of some translations, but it is definitely one of the works of the flesh. Murder means premeditated killing. It is not one who innocently or by accident takes a life. For it means “to murder, slay, kill, to premeditate murder in the heart.” [1]
For example, in the days of the
nation of Israel, special cities of refuge were strategically located so that
anyone who accidentally killed another could run to a city to be protected from
the avenger of blood. Once they were tried and found innocent, they could go
free. However, if they were found guilty of murder, they were given to the avenger
of blood. Here is a description of these cities and their purpose: [2]
“They shall be cities of refuge for
you from the avenger, that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the
congregation in judgment” (Numbers 35:12). [3]
However,
the murderer could not escape this sinful act, because the avenger of blood was
given his rights against the guilty: [4]
“The
avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he
shall put him to death” (Numbers 35:19). [5]
From the time that Cain murdered his
brother, this is a sin that has raged in all generations. It is still a sin
that is very prevalent today, whether committed physically or in the heart.
Jesus associated hate and anger with the sin of murder: [6]
“You
have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever
murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is
angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21,22). [7]
Human
life is very sacred because God made all of us in His own image (Genesis 1:26).
This life is the time to prepare to live with God eternally, but death stops
time on earth. Therefore, the act of murder can also have an effect on the
eternal soul of the one being murdered if they are
not prepared to meet God. Likewise, the one committing the sin is a murderer
who, without repentance, will be associated with all who are evil and cut off
from God. [8]
As the apostle John was shown a
vision of the eternal destiny of the lost, murderers, along with the other evil
ones, were assigned to death.
“But
the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,
idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). [9]
These
evil ones will not be permitted to enter the eternal rest of heaven. John wrote
of this truth, “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers
and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie” (Revelation 22:15). [10]
Therefore, as Christians, let us
avoid having any part in taking a human life, whether it is our own life, or
the life of another. Let us strive daily to keep hatred and murderous thoughts
out of our hearts. This is truly one of the works of the flesh to be avoided.
[11]
Sins of Intemperance — Drunkenness
The word drunkenness, especially in
the Bible, describes a condition of being intoxicated from drinking an
excessive amount of fermented wine. In Paul’s day, there were three kinds of
wine. (1) Fermented to a small degree
and diluted with two or three parts of water. (2)
Unfermented juice. (3) An intoxicating
drink called new wine. This third one is the kind of wine that causes the
drunkenness that Paul is referring to as one of the works of the flesh. [12]
When the Holy Spirit came down on
the Jewish Feast Day of Pentecost, Acts 2, some
mocked by accusing the apostles of being “full of new wine” (vs. 13). However, Peter responded
to this false accusation by saying, ”For these are not drunk, as you
suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day” (Acts 2:15). [13]
Therefore,
new wine caused drunkenness, and Paul lists this as a sin of the flesh.
In
both the Old and New Testaments, the effects of this kind of wine are
forbidden. In fact, drunkenness is also associated with other sinful
practices. Sin can be compared to
a chain made up of many links. To illustrate, when David committed adultery
with Bathsheba, it was only one of the links. He joined to this link deceit,
lying, promoting drunkenness, and finally murder (2 Samuel 11). [14]
Just
think for a moment of how many murders and rapes have been committed by those
intoxicated! Thus, it can be said that drunkenness is not a sin that stands
alone, but has an evil effect on families, friends, and others. In fact,
drivers who are drunk kill thousands of innocent people, even strangers, every
year. [15]
There was a man named Nabal who
lived in David’s day, who was very evil. He was married to Abigail, but he was
selfish and a drunkard. When he was rude and selfish to David’s men, David’s
first decision was to destroy him. However, Abigail came to David, and with
supplies and her goodness, she was able to persuade David not to attack. [16]
When
Abigail returned home, she found her evil husband drunk: “Now Abigail went
to Nabal, and there he was, holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a
king. And Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; therefore
she told him nothing, little or much, until morning light” (1 Samuel 25:36). [17]
Abigail
knew that his mind had been taken over by being intoxicated; therefore, she
waited until morning. [18]
“So
it was, in the morning, when the wine had gone from Nabal, and his wife had
told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became like a
stone. Then it came about, after
about ten days, that the LORD struck Nabal, and he died” (1 Samuel 25:37,38). [19]
Here
was a man who lost everything because he was an evil intoxicated man. [20]
Warnings of Solomon
Wine that intoxicates has nothing to offer except
destruction. The wise man Solomon, warned of its evil effects as he wrote his
proverbs:
“Wine
is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not
wise” (Proverbs
20:1). [20]
“Who
has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has
wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
Those
who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.”
“Do
not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it
swirls around smoothly;
At
the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.
Your
eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.”
Yes,
you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who
lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
they have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek
another drink?’ “ (Proverbs
23:29-35). [21]
Must Be Avoided
Drunkenness is something that must
be totally avoided among Christians. For one cannot walk in the light of God
and receive continual forgiveness, while walking in drunkenness (1 John 1:7).
Thus, Paul wrote to the Christians at Rome: “Let us walk properly, as in the
day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife
and envy” (Romans
13:13). [22]
When
this apostle gave his list of sins (committed by the unrighteous) to the church
at Corinth, he said that these sins would keep them from entering the kingdom
of God. Please observe that drunkards were included in his list (1 Corinthians
6:9,10). [23]
Paul
also wrote to the church the following command: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be
filled with the
Spirit,” (Ephesians
5:18). [24]
Therefore,
when drunkenness is followed, along with the other works of the flesh,, it is
impossible to bear the fruit of the Spirit! [25]
Sins of Intemperance — Revelries
This is a sin that is associated
with drunkenness. Even in Paul’s list of the works of the flesh, he joins these
two, “drunkenness, revelries” (Galatians 5:21). [26]
When
the apostle Peter referred to their sinful lives before conversion, he wrote: “For
we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness,
revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3). [27]
Therefore, revelries can be generally defined as “feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night.” [28]
In our society today, we often speak
of parties in two ways:
There are parties that are innocent and
clean for children and adults who want to do things that are right. Examples
would be birthday parties, parities among the youth to promote good morals, and
parties for adults that promote Christian fellowship. These are uplifting and
of great value in our society. [29]
However,
the other kind of parties is filled with the works of the flesh. Such parties
are associated with sexual lust, fornication, filthy language, and drunkenness.
When Paul wrote of “revelries, and the like,” he was referring to such evil
parties. [30]
Christians
must never have any part of such evil practices. Those who do, cut themselves
off from God, and can never grow spiritually. This kind of life, along with all
the works of the flesh, can NEVER be acceptable to God, or be harmonized with
the fruit of the Spirit. [31]
Surely now, we can understand why
Paul wrote: “that those who practice such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God”
(Galatians 5:21).
Review Questions For Lesson 8
(Circle the Most Correct Answer: A, B, or C)
1. This woman was married to a
drunkard (1 Sam. 25:36)
(a) Ruth (b) Abigail
(c) Jezebel
2. “Be -------, and do not sin:” (Eph. 4:26)
(a) Kind (b) hopeful
(c) Angry
3.
Something that died within an evil man named Nabal (1 Sam. 25:37)
(a)
Dreams (b) Heart (c) Ambition
4. “But outside are dogs and
sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and ------“ (Revelation 22:15)
(a) Drunkards (b) Idolaters (c) Thieves
5.
That which a manslayer sought in a city of refuge (Num. 35:12)
(a) Judgment (b) Revenge (c) Settlement
6. Something of God that the evil ones
will NOT inherit (Gal. 5:21)
(a) Forgiveness (b) Peace
(c) Kingdom of God
7. The second evil way of walking mentioned
by Peter (1 Pet. 4:3)
(a) Darkness (b) Lewdness
(c) Lust
8. “Others mocking said, ‘They are
full of -------- wine’” (Acts 2:13)
(a) Red
(b) New (c) Old
9. A description of the eyes of those
who linger long at the wine (Prov. 23:29,30)
(a) Weeping
(b) Sad (c) Redness
10.
“And do not be drunk with wine, .... but be filled with the -------.”
(a) Spirit (b) Word
(c) Truth (Ephesians
5:18)
11. Solomon wrote that those who drink strong drinks are not
------- (Prov. 20:1)
(a) Dependable (b) Wise
(c) Trustworthy
TRUE OR FALSE: (Circle “T” for true; “F” for false)
T F 1. Something of God that makes
man’s life sacred (Gen. 1:26) Image
T F 2. A sin that Paul joins
with drunkenness [26] Revelries
T F 3. The place where
murder is premeditated [1] Youth
T F 4. A man who began a chain of sins by committing adultery [14]
Nathan
T F 5. An object describing
the heart of a very evil man (1 Sam. 25:37,38) Stone
T F 6. The “------- of
blood” could put to
death the guilty (Num. 35:19) [5] Avenger
T F 7. A man who became
drunk at a feast (1 Sam. 25:36). Nadab
T F 8. “those who
practice such things shall not ------- the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21) Begin
T
F 9. Something spoken of in our society in two ways [29] Parties
T F 10. Something of God that drunkards cannot enter (1 Cor.
6:9,10) Kingdom
T F 11. “the lake which burns with fire and ---------” (Rev. 21:8) Smoke
T F 12. “Wine is a ------” (Prov. 20:1) Fraud
T F 13. Cities for protection
(Num. 35:12) Refuge
T F 14. The way wine bites at
the last (Prov. 23:32) Serpent
T F 15. The wife of an evil
man [16] Abigail
T F 16. The kind of wine in Paul’s day that
caused intoxication [12] New
—BBBristow
After you have
completed these two Lessons, you may want to click on The Grading Key to determine your scores. To finalize Your Score,
Take From 100, 5 Points For Each One Missed In Each Lesson.
Score for Lesson 7 = Score
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