LIVING BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IN VICTORY OVER THE SIN NATURE

III. Discerning The Sin Nature's Deeds From The Holy Spirit's Fruit

(Galatians 5:19-23)

I. Introduction

A. Many New Testament passages teach the need for believers in Christ to live righteously, but the experience of many is a personal failure to achieve that righteous life, what leaves them frustrated and discouraged.

B. At times believers ignorantly function by their sin nature, so they need to discern this to make the correction.

C. Galatians 5:19-23 lists the sin nature's deeds versus the Holy Spirit's fruit, giving such discernment as follows:

II. Discerning The Sin Nature's Deeds From The Holy Spirit's Fruit, Galatians 5:19-23.

A. Paul claimed that the deeds of the sinful nature are "plainly to be seen" (phaneros, Arndt & Gingrich, A Grk.-Eng. Lex. of the N. T., 1967, p. 860), and then he clarified them in a list, Galatians 5:19a.

B. That list is given in Galatians 5:19b-21a, and we translated the Greek words for the deeds (as follows):

1. porneia, what comprises "every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse," Ibid., p. 699-700.

2. akatharsia, "viciousness in sexual sins," Ibid., p. 28.

3. aselgeia, "excessive sexual sensuality," Ibid., p. 114.

4. eidololatria, "idolatry," Ibid., p. 220.

5. pharmakeia, "magic arts, sorcery," Ibid., p. 861.

6. echthra, "enmity [animosity]," Ibid., p. 331.

7. eris, "strife, discord, contention," Ibid., p. 309.

8. zelos, "jealousy, envy," Ibid., p. 338.

9. thumos, "turbulent wrath," Ibid., p. 365-366; Richard C. Trench, Syns. Of the N. T., 1973, p. 131.

10. eritheia, "selfishness, selfish ambition," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 309.

11. dichostasias, "dissensions," Ibid., p. 199.

12. haireseis, "factions [divisions, cliques]" Ibid., p. 23.

13. phthonos, "envy," Ibid., p. 865.

14. methe, "drunkenness," Ibid., p. 500.

15. komos, "carousing, revelry," Ibid., p. 462.

C. Paul added the phrase, "and things like these" (Galatians 5:20 ESV) to indicate that believers could use the list of vices he had given as a guide for discerning other vices he had not specifically listed.

D. The apostle added that just he had previously told his readers, those who "continually practice" (prasso, U. B. S. Grk. N. T., 1966, p. 661; Ibid., Trench, p. 361) such things as a way of life will not inherit the kingdom of God, Galatians 5:20b NIV. This was not a warning of a potential loss of salvation, but a call not to live like those who will fail to enter the Kingdom of God and who end up in the lake of fire! (Revelation 20:11-15)

E. In striking contrast, Paul then listed the "fruit" of the Holy Spirit (as follows), Galatians 5:22-23:

1. agape, "objective, esteeming love," Ibid., U. B. S. Grk. N. T.; Ibid., Trench, p. 41-42.

2. chara, "joy," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 883-884.

3. eirene, "peace," Ibid., 226-227.

4. makrothumia, "forbearance [self-restraint in bearing up under wrong]," Ibid., p. 489; Ibid., Trench, p. 195.

5. chrestotes, "sweet benignity [KJV gentleness]," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 894; Ibid., Trench, p. 232-235.

6. agathosune, "goodness," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 3; Ibid., Trench, p. 231-232.

7. pistis, "faithfulness, reliability," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 668.

8. prautes, "mild & gentle friendliness," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 705-706; T. D. N. T., v. VI, p. 646-651.

9. egkrateia, "self-control," Ibid., Arndt & Gingrich, p. 215.

Lesson: (1) We function by means of our sin nature if we practice unbiblical sexual intercourse, vicious sexual sins, excessive sexual sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, animosity, strife, jealousy, turbulent wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and other such vices. (2) However, we live by the Holy Spirit's power if we express objective, esteeming love, joy, peace, forbearance under stress, sweet benignity, goodness, faithfulness, mild and gentle friendliness, and self-control.

Application: (1) If we discern that we live by means of the sin nature, we must confess it as sin unto God for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and rely in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16). (2) If we discern that we are living by the Holy Spirit's power, may we rejoice and continue to rely on Him that we keep on living a righteous life.