Tag: Galatians 5:19-21
Fatal Breaches of Faith
Scripture reading for August 3: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 “So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeing guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”
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. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The old covenant of law brought a penalty of death for idolatry, sorcery, adultery and murder. Saul, the first king of Israel, knew God’s law but willfully disobeyed God. He continually sought to murder David, the covenant friend of his son Jonathan and His own personal musician. Towards the end of his life, he sought out a medium to give him direction instead of going to the Lord through a prophet. It is ironic that he had the medium call up Samuel the prophet and he told him he would die soon. The law can reveal sin and its penalty, but cannot fix a rebellious heart.
However, under the New Covenant of grace through faith, we are also encouraged to stay in the faith by walking in the Spirit of God Who indwells us. (Galatians 5:16, 25) We can resist the Holy Spirit, however, and set our minds on our flesh. The flesh produces works of its own that eventually block even believers from receiving their full inheritance in God’s kingdom. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to help us walk in His power to live a life of faithfulness through grace. Christ Jesus perfectly obeyed God and now has given us His righteousness and forgiveness when we accidentally fail.
If you find yourself living in the works of the flesh as a believer in Jesus Christ, run to the Lord in faith in His willingness to forgive you and empower you to walk in the newness of the Holy Spirit. As a child of God, healing and deliverance belong to you because of Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf.
Prayer: Father God, as I read about the works of the flesh, forgive me for those areas that are still not given over to the Holy Spirit’s control. By faith, I trust in Your promises of a full inheritance! Amen!
Foolish competition
Scripture reading for March 26th: 2nd Samuel 1-4
When a leader dies or passes from the scene, there is often a struggle. The Bible declares that it is God who raises up leaders and brings them down. (Psalm 75:6-7) The flesh, however, harbors a spirit of competition. This leads to factions, murder, and war and a house divided against itself cannot stand! (Matthew 12:25)
After being anointed by Samuel years earlier, David became king over the house of Judah. David sets up his kingship in Hebron as the Lord directed him. (2nd Samuel 2:1-3) David did not try to take over all of Israel or destroy Saul’s house. He is a man of character and knew God placed him where He desired. Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, was made king over the rest of Israel by Abner, the commander of Saul’s army. There was competition between the two groups as each desired to have power.
This competition took a deadly turn as Joab, commander of David’s army and Abner met one day at the pool of Gibeon. A contest of hand to hand fighting resulted in the deaths of 19 of David’s men and 360 of Abner’s men! (2nd Samuel 2:30-31) The war between these two factions went on for a long time. David grew stronger and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. (2nd Samuel 3:1)
Galatians 5:19-21 describes the works of the sinful nature. Dissensions, factions, envy, and selfish ambitions are in this list. These sins cause competition and the resultant discord and evil. When we center on self, trouble is often the result. The conflict between Saul’s house and David’s caused the death of innocent people and turmoil among God’s people.
Today, examine your own life for these works of the sinful nature. Are you filled with envy over a person who seems to have a job, position, or relationship that you would like or feel you deserve? Are you involved in factions or dissension? Give these to the Lord and allow Him to search your heart and bring peace. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace! He is able to place us where we need to be to accomplish His plan for our lives! (Galatians 5:22-26)