Galatians 5:20-21
Sins of the Flesh (Part 2)

The other week we started studying more particularly the sins which
characterize the flesh.

Paul had mentioned this partial list to describe to us the condition that
Christians might "drift" into if we were not under the rule of the Holy Spirit.
\\#Gal 5:13\\

They are also a stern warning to us since those whose lifestyles are deep into
these sins are not God’s \\#Gal 5:21\\.

We can divide these sins into three categories:
    1. Sins of the body - sins done with and against the body.
    2. Sins of the spirit - sins of false worship.
    3. Sins of the soul - sins of emotion.

    I. SINS OF THE SPIRIT.
        A. These are sins done with the spirit.
            1. These would be false worship or worship that as a Christian, we
                should not enter into.
            2. Two are listed: IDOLATRY AND SORCERY
        B. IDOLATRY (Grk., eidololatreia)…
            1. The word means "image worship" - Strong’s
            2. In the beginning stages of idolatry, no one worships the idol or
                image itself.
                a. The idol gives the worshipper a visual image of the god it
                    represents.
                b. The idol’s purpose is simply make it easier to worship the
                    god represented by the idol.
                c. Of course, God says don’t do it.

Exodus 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of
any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is
in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy
God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

                d. Why? Because the people will end up worshipping the idol.
                    1) We see this in various forms of Catholicism.
                    2) Where the leaders say the image is not an idol, only an
                        ‘icon.’
                    3) But who can deny that the average worshipper begins to
                        view the image itself as something holy and to be revered?
                    4) Thus that which is ‘created’ begins receiving adoration
                        rightfully due the ‘Creator.’
            3. Idolatry is not just a cult worshipping an image.
                a. Paul defines ‘covetousness’ as idolatry.

Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, NOT
COVETOUS MAN, WHO IS AN IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ
and of God.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;
fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, AND
COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY:

                b. Any strong desire for material things that replaces our
                    desire for God is a form of idolatry!
                c. Our hearts are drawn to whatever we treasure.

Matt 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

                d. If our treasure is earthly, our heart is drawn away from God.
            5. We cannot serve material things and God at the same time!
               \\#Mt 6:24\\
            6. Thus we can be idolaters when we make things other than God
                Himself our priority in life, such as:  our job, house,
                hobby, family.

        C. SORCERY (Grk., pharmakeia)…
            1. Pharmakeia is the word we get our word pharmacy from.
                a. We normally think of sorcery has the casting of spells to
                    change someone’s behavior.
                b. The use of drugs has always been a large part of that black
                    art.
            2. Drugs can be used in three ways.
                a. Medically for healing. Such use has no bad meaning at all.
                b. To hurt or poison, not cure.
                c. The practice of using drugs to alter the behavior of others.
                    (This is witchcraft or sorcery.)
            3. The practice of witchcraft and sorcery is strongly condemned.

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars,
shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which
is the second death.

            4. Examples of this sin today…
                a. There is an increasing number of religions based upon the
                    occult and that make use of drugs in their religion.
                b. The "recreational" use of drugs also falls into this category.
                    1) Remember that altering the behavior through drugs was a
                        basic function of sorcery and witchcraft.
                    2) What is the difference between using drugs to alter
                        others’ behavior and your own?
                    3) But just as the Bible condemns drunkenness, which is an
                        altered state brought on by alcohol (a drug), so it would
                        seem to condemn similar use of other drugs.

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