Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the 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.
Have you ever notice that the really good things in life are tied hand-in-hand with hard work? When was the last time your boss gave you a bonus just because he/she was in a good mood? Or, for those in college, tell your professor that you just didn’t have time to do that thesis, and he/she gave you a passing average for the semester?
I seriously doubt any of us have. If we want that bonus we have to work hard for it, and that usually means putting in an extra effort. If we want to pass t he semester, not only do we have to do the thesis, we have to make sure it’s done properly and show excellent work. Otherwise we fail to meet the expectations of those above us.
We are all human and prone to failure. I know that’s not something we like to hear – especially in today’s society.
Fortunately success and failure are not measured by our standards in God’s eyes. He views success and failure on a totally different level. Are we fighting the good fight or are we allowing the flesh to win? It really is that simple.
Sadly, sin is so easy to fall into. Matthew 26:41 (KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Failure is very alluring to us, when it comes to our spiritual walk. We have to remind ourselves daily what it is we’re fighting for. We have to read His word daily to change our course.
As I look at the list Paul writes in Galatians 5, I see a LOT of things that I fall short on daily:
Idolatry – How easily do I let other things come between me and God?
Variance – How often do I change my position on my convictions?
Envyings – How often do I “want” a different job because someone else seems to have it easier or better?
Strife – How many times am *I* right and everyone else wrong?
Wrath – How often do I let my temper get the best of me?
I can go on, but I think we all see how easy it is. And that is the allure of sin – it’s easy. But it’s also the LIE of sin – it’s NOT better! Read Galatians 5 daily and start identifying those things which you need to work on. Fight the good fight.
In His love,
Christopher Dale
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