The fact that we are not bound by the law of Moses then does not mean that we can do as we please. This Scripture plainly says, “Ye cannot do the things that ye would.” We are restrained by the law of the Spirit. We are restrained by the law of love. “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” In order that we may clearly understand what this implies, the Holy Spirit has listed for us the works of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit. This list is the basis of the lesson which I want to present this morning. I have the items on the board. Perhaps those in the back of the building cannot see them. But at least we shall refer to them as we go along and you will get the picture anyway.
II
The Works of the Flesh
Let us look at the works of the flesh first. The Bible plainly says that those who follow the works of the flesh shall not enter the kingdom of God. If you find yourself guilty of one or more of these works of the flesh, then remember that you are on the outside, that you will remain on the outside until you repent and obey God. People who follow the works of the flesh simply cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
1. Adultery and Fornication. The first four in the list are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, and lasciviousness. All four of these words have reference to immorality. Some state legislatures make a distinction between adultery and fornication, using the word adultery to apply to immorality on the part of married people, and the word fornication to apply to the same sort of sin on the part of unmarried people. Therefore, those words cover exactly the same sort of crime—illegitimate relationship between men and women. I don’t know just how prevalent this sin is in the world—I have no statistics on that point, and would not be particularly interested in gathering any, but I do know that such sins are very common, and I know that you know whether you are guilty. If you are guilty the Bible says that you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. You must repent of that sin and have it washed away by the blood of Jesus before there is any hope for you.
2. Uncleanness. This word probably covers a little more territory than either of the first two words. The best definition I know for uncleanness is found in Romans 1:24: “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections; for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly; and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.” If I were to talk an hour, I could not give a clearer definition of what is meant by uncleanness. It is obviously a work of the flesh, and all who are guilty stand condemned in the sight of God Almighty.
3. Lasciviousness. This term is apparently still more comprehensive. It not only includes general acts of lewdness and abandoned sensuality but is sometimes used to describe that which tends to produce voluptuous or lewd emotions. For instance, “The lascivious pleasing of a lute” (Shakespeare). The plural of the noun form is found in Romans 13:13 where it is translated wantonness. “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.” Referring to this text Thayer’s Greek Lexicon quotes the following definition of lasciviousness from Fritzsche: “wanton acts or manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc.”
There may be some who would not (at least think they would not) actually become guilty of adultery but who do allow themselves to daydream about things which are unclean and immoral. Such unholy meditations are liable to produce wanton and lewd desires and may even lead to an overt act of immorality. You should study the meaning of the word lasciviousness and diligently avoid the sin it describes. “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:14).
4. Idolatry. We turn now to a different sort of transgressions but we are still talking about works of the flesh. Everybody knows what idolatry means. If a man worships something other than the God of heaven, he is guilty of idolatry. If one values anything in this world more than he esteems God and his relationship to God, he is virtually guilty of idolatry.
5. Witchcraft. Then comes the sin of witchcraft, or sorcery, which, I believe, includes what is commonly called fortunetelling. It is condemned both in the Old Testament and also in the New Testament. It is a work of the flesh. Friends, if it is wrong to practice the fraud, the craft, the art, (or whatever it is) of fortunetellers, then it’s wrong to patronize them, for when you do so you are giving them both your financial and moral support.
6. Hatred. Hatred is a sin of the disposition. It is an attitude of the heart. It is the state of being an enemy. This term describes aversions and antipathies which are opposed to brotherly kindness and love.