Works Of The Flesh Explained & Broken Down In Plain English

To listen to the blog post “Works Of The Flesh Explained & Broken Down In Plain English” over reading it just click the play button down below. 

Works of the flesh as explained in the Bible in great detail and it is something that we as people are not supposed to do.  Although, in my opinion when you read the works of the flesh it is really is common sense that they are bad for you BUT they are also behaviors that so many people display, on a regular basis, and cannot control.

There are some people who legit will try to argue with me about the works of the flesh and tell me they are okay to do when they can just go and read what it says in the Bible for themselves.  If you are a reader of my blog I say it time and time again that if you are not able to control your flesh then your flesh will control you. And most people do not care or they do not even know WHY this is significant.

But leave it up to me to tell you in a straightforward way and you need to get control of the works of the flesh for your own good.  Before we get into the post check out my video I did that was included in my video series understanding the devil where I specifically talked about how the works of the flesh are correlated to him.  Check out the video below and don’t forget to subscribe to my channel by clicking here. 

These are the 17 works of the flesh and their meanings

Many people do not understand the works of the flesh or they do not want to let go of the works for the flesh.  In my blog Can a married man fall in love with his mistress (click here), I specifically said that an affair is works of the flesh. And you would not believe how many people argued me down about this statement.  BUT IT IS!  Like legit, the Bible specifically in very great detail says adultery is works of the flesh. NOW, understand this. You have the freedom to do whatever it is you want to do BUT you cannot say that you did not know and you cannot say no one told you, instead say you know and you choose to not follow (if that is what you choose to do).  Now check out the following Bible verse:

Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), [b]idolatry, [c]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21 Amplified Bible (AMP)

An additional verse that you can refer to when it comes to the works of the flesh you can also check out the following verse; AND as an additional tidbit I personally always recommend the amplified Bible to get the full understanding of what each verse means. You can click here to get the Bible that I use.  Anyway, the second verse:

For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries, acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment). All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man. Mark 7:21-23 Amplified Bible (AMP)

When you read the above verses and count them out there are 17 works of the flesh but I am not going to go through each one of them but in my opinion, the works of the flesh can really be broken down sections for the most part and that is how I will discuss them.

Works of the Flesh ~ Sexual Sin

Committing adultery is wrong and having sex outside of marriage is wrong. There I said it.  I know as a single mom you are wondering how I can judge you. But I am not judging you. I have had sex, many times, and then God started to convict me about it.  Being a person is NOT about being perfect BUT it is at least putting forth the effort in trying to change certain things about yourself and me becoming celibate after being sexually active was one of those things. I know it was wrong and even though I like sex, it really did come down to me listening to God or listening to what satisfies my flesh (in this case sex) hence works of the flesh.

Now I am also going to break down works of the flesh when it comes to sexual sin because the Bible is VERY VERY strict on what is considers a sexual sin. As you can see in the above Bible verses adultery (meaning sleeping with someone’s spouse is one). Also when you lack self control and you are acting irresponsibly meaning that you are just having sex with any and everyone with no care in the world, with no protection and even on the first night sometimes. Both are irresponsible and this also shows you are lacking self-control. Now, what else does the Bible say?

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Amplified Bible (AMP) 

I actually spoke about this in my video where I talk about lust which I HIGHLY encourage you to watch below which talks about how lust is related to works of the flesh. But yes, as a Christian the Holy Spirit lives in you and when you are sexually immoral not only are you sinning against your own body but also against God’s spirit. And that sounds like a big offense that if you are sexual immortal God is in there, watching, and you. Think of it like that. Scary right.

And of course, as stated in the above scripture as well as 1 Peter 4:3, you should not be having orgies, drinking parties, allowing people to run trains on you, none of that.  And according to the Bible, even when you LOOK at someone with lust that is the same as having sex with you.

 “But I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 Amplified Bible (AMP)

I know that this seems harsh and none of us are perfect but I think that if you TRY then God will meet you halfway.  I suffered from lust and healed myself through fasting in 3 days which you can read here.   This was a very spiritual experience for me in the sense that I COULD SEE how my flesh struggled against what God wanted and when I got control over it, I was able to be celibate and I did not realize how much it controlled me. Sometimes we normalize these things when really they are wrong and we can control them. Sexual immorality can create soul ties and a lot of other issues for you.

For even though [a]they knew God [as the Creator], they did not [b]honor Him as God or give thanks [for His wondrous creation]. Roman 1: 21

Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin], because [by choice] they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Roman 1:24-25

If you respect God then respect your body, and understand that when you give in to sexual immorality then you are giving in to the things that are NOT of God.

Works of the Flesh ~ Being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things, causing trouble, causing people to argue, dividing people into separate groups, and hating people

God knows your heart.  God knows if you were trying to be nice and He knows if you are trying to start trouble.  You can pretend to be whatever you want on the outside but God knows your true intentions.  He knows if you are trying to get someone fired or trying to cause division. I think that this is the biggest trap that Christians can fall into because when someone does us wrong it is so much easier to want to get back at them. To wish harm on them or to even go about creating our own plan to get back at them.  All are works of the flesh.

Or even if we do not like someone it is easier to want to start drama.  But don’t do it.  These things are the works of the flesh and these are the things that God does not approve of.  Do not try to justify in your mind why you are going around wreaking havoc on people’s lives trying to convince yourself they deserve it.  Even if they do deserve it that is for God to sort out not you.

So stop trying to cause division, stop trying to talk behind people’s back, stop trying to gossip and backstab.  Even if someone is being mean to you, the best thing you can do is repay evil with kindness and love your enemies even if they hate you.  When you really are nice to your enemies you are choosing to bless yourself (click here to read my blog on this topic).

If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. Luke 6:32

It is very easy to come for the people who come for you but it takes self-control acting against your own flesh to always maintain composure and to act like you have some sense in your head. Not to be argumentative, loud, or combative.  These are things that you can learn to control over time. I am a big fan of learning how to have self-control.  Controlling your tongue  (click to read my blog on that) and controlling your emotions (click to read my blog on that). Once you have control over yourself and the way that you behave toward other people that is when you have mastered life.

Works of the Flesh ~ Being Angry or selfish

There is a Bible verse that says being angry gives a strong foothold to the devil.  You can click here to read my blog on recognizing the works of the devil.  If you read the account of when Satan got cast out of heaven in Ezekiel 28:12-19 verse 17 states:

Your heart was proud and arrogant because of your beauty; You destroyed your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I lay you before kings, That they might look at you. Ezekiel 28:17

The devil was arrogant, selfish, and angry and it caused it to be cast out of heaven. Anger and being selfish are not of God. God commands us to love him first and then each other and selfishness is the opposite of that, only thinking about yourself and being angry against someone means you are angry against the same person or people you are required to love. It is not a sin to feel angry as Jesus got angry once when they were turning the church into a marketplace. But he did not stay angry, no one is asking you to be a robot.

Be angry [at sin”at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. Ephesians 4:26

People get angry, Jesus got angry, and even God got angry BUT do not allow the anger to lead you to arguments, fights, and just doing something out of character. And do not let the sunset on your anger because harboring it can lead you to sin.

Works of the Flesh ~ Getting drunk and having wild parties

Notice this does not say drinking and going to a party. At the end of the day, Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding which was a party.  God does not want you to go around living a boring life and not being able to do anything.

But having a drink at a friend party is one thing. Getting so drunk that you blackout and go to a sex party to have an orgy is another thing.  You have to watch the company you keep.  You can go out with people that will not get you drunk, throwing up, and passed out on the pavement. You can go to parties that are not going to have drugs and a whole lot of illegal activity going on.

This does not say don’t party and drink, it just says do not do it to excess. When you drunk and out of control that means that you LACK self-control. One of the fruits of the spirit is controlling yourself. That is important to God and our behavior as humans.

And think about it, when you are drunk does any good come from that? Most of the time NO. We hear more stories of people getting drunk and passing out not remembering anything, drunk drivers hurting and killing people, and if the action causes you to issue pain against others, remember that is against the whole love your neighbor law God wants us to do. It is works of the flesh and not good for you.  Also check out my video for how to be on your grown woman status for other behaviors that you probably need to get rid of.

Works of the Flesh ~ Being jealous and Being filled with envy

I have a blog about dealing with jealous people and being jealous toward people (click here to see it). Jealousy is a terrible thing to have and it really goes along with the idea of coveting. When you choose to be jealous you are choosing to tell God that you are not satisfied with the portion He has given you.

You are choosing to say that you want something that someone else has. And you are choosing not to trust God to give you, your own unique blessing that for some reason or another you need to get mad at someone else. If not dealt with, envy and ALL works of the flesh can turn into something more.  It leads Cain to kill Abel.

And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering, but for Cain and his offering, He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile. Genesis 4:4-5

Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:8

When these emotions run so deep they get out of control they can cause you to do things that you will regret in the long run. Not just with jealousy but with all of the works of the flesh, notice that even Cain had anger which also turned to hate, which also caused him to murder.  Going back to why you cannot let anger fester.

Works of the Flesh ~ Worshiping false gods and taking part in witchcraft

This one is pretty self-explanatory.  As a Christian, you cannot serve two Gods.  You cannot place voodoo hexes on people, start worshiping the sun or calling yourself a witch.  This part is obvious.  But as a Christian what other false Gods do you have in your life?

For rebellion is as [serious as] the sin of divination (fortune-telling), And disobedience is as [serious as] false religion and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you as king. 1 Samuel 15:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:31

And I know what you may be thinking that there were prophets in the Bible foretelling the future BUT they asked the Holy Spirit and many of these other mediums who knows what they are channeling, it could be the devil and his demons for all you know.  False Gods is also ANYTHING that you love more than God. For some people it is money?

Some people worship money so much that they are willing to kill for it.  Is it clothes, your relationship, your man, what is it? Anything that you love so much that it is taking the place of God is an idol. It is a false God that you are choosing to worship that is taking the place of God.  And once again that is works of the flesh.

What does God say about committing these works of the flesh?

I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom.

It sounds harsh doesn’t it that God is willing to condemn you to hell for doing something that we have all more than likely all done.  But fear not there is hope.

Case in point ~ Jesus

That is why Jesus came to this Earth.  So that we can repent of our sins and be forgiven.  But I must tell you, that you cannot use the grace of God as some crutch to allow you to openly sin and plead the blood of Jesus at night knowing full well tomorrow you are going to do the same thing.

It does not work like that.  Repent, but truly repent.  Do not repent because it is something you should do knowing you are not going to stop your sinning.  I am convinced that this is something God takes a personal offense to.  Using His grace as an excuse to sin openly in His face.

No one who abides in Him [who remains united in fellowship with Him deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin. No one who habitually sins has seen Him or known Him. 1 John 3:6

Grace does not cover you just sinning in God’s face because you do not want to try to control yourself or do better.  That is just you being lazy.  And of course, the opposite of the works of the flesh is fruits of the spirit which I will list below. Replace the flesh with the spirit.

But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the [a]sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the [b]sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

Now the practices of the [c]sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), [d]idolatry, [e]sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [f]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage”our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:16-26

Also you can check out my video down below where I talk more about the fruits of the spirit.

I know it is a lot to read BUT it is easy to talk about what you should not be doing but if you do not know what you should be replacing it with, then you are just going to be running in a circle not really knowing what the heck you should be doing.  As Christians, we are made to stand out, and do right in the eyes of God, and do things that the world may not even understand and call us foolish for. Like turning the other cheek instead of smacking someone in the face out of anger. But you have to decide who do you belong to, God or the world.

If you know someone who could use this information then feel free to share this post with them.

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