What practical steps can we take to avoid the behaviors listed in Galatians 5:21? Setting the Scene: The Verse in Focus “and envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21) Why Turning From These Behaviors Matters • They are unmistakable “works of the flesh” that oppose the Spirit (Galatians 5:17). • Continuing in them jeopardizes kingdom inheritance (Galatians 5:21). • They fracture fellowship with God and others (Isaiah 59:2; James 4:1-3). Step One: Walk by the Spirit Daily • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Start the day in Scripture; let the Spirit set the pace before the world does. • Invite His guidance moment by moment, especially when temptation surfaces. Step Two: Guard Your Thought Life • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). • Replace jealous or lustful thoughts with truth (Philippians 4:8). • Memorize verses that counter the specific struggle you face. Step Three: Choose Your Company Wisely • “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). • Friendships either fan the flames of envy and immorality or spur you toward holiness. • Seek believers who model the fruit of the Spirit and will exhort you when needed (Hebrews 10:24-25). Step Four: Establish Accountability • “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). • Share struggles with a trusted, mature believer of the same gender. • Set clear, measurable checkpoints: screen-time limits, sobriety milestones, spending transparency. Step Five: Replace the Flesh With the Fruit • “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). • Envy loses ground where love and gratitude flourish. • Drunkenness is crowded out by joy and self-control. • Sexual sin withers when goodness and faithfulness take root. Step Six: Flee, Don’t Negotiate • “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). • “Flee youthful passions” (2 Timothy 2:22). • Leave the party, shut the laptop, change the conversation—immediate action beats rationalization. Step Seven: Treat Your Body as God’s Temple • “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise; physical stewardship strengthens moral resolve. • Fast periodically to train the body to submit to the Spirit (Matthew 6:16-18). Step Eight: Cultivate Gratitude and Generosity • “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). • Thankfulness quenches envy; giving breaks greed. • Make a habit of praising God for others’ successes and meeting others’ needs. Step Nine: Stay Sober-Minded • “Be sober-minded; be watchful” (1 Peter 5:8). • If alcohol has mastered you, remove it from your home and social calendar (Ephesians 5:18). • Fill leisure time with edifying pursuits—service, study, wholesome recreation. Step Ten: Keep Eternity in View • “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). • Regularly meditate on Christ’s return and the promise of reward (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Eternal perspective shrinks temporary thrills into their true, hollow size. In Summary Avoiding the pitfalls of Galatians 5:21 isn’t about white-knuckled effort alone; it’s about Spirit-empowered living, intentional habits, and Christ-centered focus. Walk close to Him, weave Scripture into daily rhythms, lean on godly community, and the works of the flesh will steadily lose their grip. |
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