LIVING BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. (Part 24).
Galatians 5. Verses 19-21 read:
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
We are continuing our discussion on the works of the flesh. These are godless traits that indicate that a man is not under the control of the Holy Spirit. These traits portray the self-centered and egoistic tendencies of man. If the believer will sincerely leverage on the indwelling Holy Spirit and permit him to reign in his life, he will be able to walk in the spirit and live above the deeds of the flesh. Today, we want to look at some more traits of the flesh:
- Hatred: This is a heart disposition that resents or dislikes other persons either through a misdeed of the other party or for no apparent reason. Hatred often leads to anger, discontentment, and hostility against the object of the hatred. It is a trigger to many wrong actions that occur in the lives of men. It is one of the sources of varied evil deeds.
- Discord: This refers to dissension or the lack of agreement. Where there is discord, men do not see eye to eye. God distributes talents, skills, and abilities to different people so that in partnering, they can have enhanced accomplishments. Unfortunately, discord has robbed men of the great things God has ordained for their lives. Where there is discord, men lack the oneness of mind and unity of purpose to leverage on their collective strength.
- Jealousy: This is a spirit that is envious of others for a privilege they have. This spirit makes it impossible for a person to share in the joy or victory of another. Even in some cases, jealousy makes men wish the downfall of others.
- Fits of rage: This is a sudden, intense outburst of anger that can sometimes be violent and out of control. Fits of rage can be unpredictable and may seem disproportionate to their cause. Men with this trait lack the temperance provided by the Holy Spirit. They often go overboard in godless actions.
- Selfish-ambition: This is a spirit that focuses on personal interest and not the interest of others. Men with this trait always seek what they can benefit from any situation. They are full of greed and make no room for sacrifice that will benefit others.
These traits are godless. They distort societies and undermine harmonious living. They have nothing good to offer. Believers must stay away from them and walk in the Spirit.
SHALOM 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏