Galatians 5:19-26

Freedom in Christ vs. Legalism

Last week we examined the Apostle Paul's demonstration of the difference between freedom in Christ and legalism. Paul instructs us to live in freedom, not bound under the law as the means to get right with God. We demonstrate this freedom through love, serving one another.

Tonight we continue in that concept: true, genuine faith and a relationship with God—loving God and loving one another—is the fulfillment of the law. Authentic relationship with Christ becomes evident. It shows itself as evidence of the reality of our faith.

Paul contrasts living by faith and walking in freedom with living by the law and walking in slavery—legalism. Legalism is outward devotion to Christ, relying on visible actions and physical deeds to be right with God.

Examples of legalistic responses include: "I was raised in a Christian family" or "I attend church every Sunday." But the New Testament shows that some of the worst people—apostates, false prophets, false teachers—infiltrate the church. Only faith in Christ saves: being totally convinced that Christ was crucified specifically for me. This is heartfelt commitment, not mere intellectual assent. This is the living faith of James 2 that produces fruit. If there is no fruit, there is no genuine conversion.

Examining Our Fruit: Works of the Flesh

Now the works of the flesh are evident: which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Paul provides a guideline to examine and identify legalism. These are not just outward displays but inward controls that produce these works of the flesh. We can examine our own lives and recognize legalism in others to avoid being troubled by it. Ultimately, the legalist needs the gospel.

This list addresses responsibility: What am I responsible for in Christianity? The legalist thinks they must add to salvation, supplying what God lacks. Instead, examine your fruit—like identifying a tree by its fruit. The cause is key: Is it the flesh or the Holy Spirit producing the fruit?

Avoiding legalism means enjoying freedom in Christ, freed from the law's bondage to obey God joyfully.

Sexual Sins: Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, Lewdness

Adultery and fornication are unlawful sexual conduct—breaking marriage covenants or sex outside marriage. Uncleanness is impurity in any form: dishonorable business, foul speech, lustful looks, pornography, or impure media. Even Christians segregate "pornography" from other impurity, but it's all sexual misconduct misusing God's good gift of sexuality, designed only for marriage between one man and one woman (1 Corinthians 7). Options are self-control or marriage.

Lewdness (licentiousness) is lack of self-control, turning God's grace into a license to sin (Jude 1:4).

Idolatry and Sorcery

Idolatry is picture worship—worshiping images, ideas, or concepts as God.

Sorcery (pharmakeia) involves mind-altering drugs for communion with deities, exploitation, or poisoning—not medicinal use, which Scripture allows. It's self-worship or using others as sacrifices for pleasure.

Relational Sins: Hatred, Contentions, Jealousies, Outbursts of Wrath, Selfish Ambitions, Dissensions, Heresies, Envy

Hatred is hostility; a professing believer who hates is guilty of murder (Matthew 5, 1 John) and shows the love of God is not in them.

Contentions: heated disagreements treating others as enemies.

Jealousies: bitter anger over others' possessions or status.

Outbursts of wrath: uncontrolled swelling of inner desires, reacting without thought.

Selfish ambitions: planning to take from others unfavorably.

Dissensions and heresies: opposing to divide, introducing destructive teachings (Titus 3:10).

Envy: resentful discontentment.

Excesses: Murder, Drunkenness, Revelries

Murder: unlawful taking of life (including abortion). Drunkenness and revelries: excessive, constant, or public alcohol-fueled partying.

These are evident, obvious wrongs. Yet Paul warns: those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is not sinless perfection—every believer sins and experiences God's discipline (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Hebrews 12:8; 1 John 1). But practicing means occupational sin: your way of life, transacting business with the flesh for pleasure. You're not stumbling—you run to it, in love with it. Such a person was never saved (1 John 2:19).

Fruit of the Spirit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Love

Agape love—selfless, esteeming others above self (not eros, selfish grabbing). It desires to show the other fruits.

Joy and Peace

Joy: not listed explicitly but implied. Peace: agreement with God and others, ceasing war against Him (Romans 5:1), confessing sin, harmony.

Longsuffering (Patience), Kindness, Goodness

Longsuffering: enduring patiently like God with us, remaining tranquil.

Kindness: moral excellence and goodness toward others, requiring rightness with God.

Goodness: generous kindness.

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Faithfulness: reliability, like God's.

Gentleness (meekness): strength controlled—not self-important. Jesus displayed it on the cross and washing feet.

Self-control: restraining emotions, impulses, desires—not letting them rule.

The Solution: Crucify the Flesh

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Crucify the flesh—kill it—with its passions (inner moods, attitudes) and desires (cravings). Hate sin, don't host it (Romans 6:11; 7). Attitude changes: hate what you do, no worldly sorrow but godly repentance without regret (2 Corinthians 7).

Walk in the Spirit: agree with Him through diligent devotion to Scripture (John 14:26). Avoid conceit, which provokes envy—legalistic chaos.

Our responsibility: disdain the root (flesh), value the cause of fruit (Holy Spirit). Salvation and victory come by grace through faith: crucified with Christ, He lives in me (Galatians 2:20). No condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1).