The “works of the flesh” are the natural outputs of a life lived apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit.
They are the sinful habits and attitudes that feel natural to us but lead to death and destruction. The Apostle Paul gives a clear list in Galatians 5:19-21, which includes “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.” This is not a comprehensive list, but a sample of the kind of life that is opposed to God’s kingdom.
Engaging in these works doesn’t just break God’s commands; it enslaves us. They are heavy weights that keep us from running the race of faith effectively. They damage our witness, destroy our relationships, and create chaos in our lives.
Most importantly, Paul warns that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” This is a serious warning that these patterns reveal a heart that has not been truly submitted to Christ’s lordship. They are evidence that we are still living for ourselves, not for the God who saved us.
The good news is that you don’t have to white-knuckle your way out of these patterns. The solution is not just trying harder to be good, but surrendering deeper to the Holy Spirit.
The very next verse introduces the “fruit of the Spirit” as the antithesis. By continually yielding to the Spirit through prayer, the Word, and obedience, He produces His nature in us, which naturally crowds out the works of the flesh. It’s a divine exchange: you give Him your sinful nature, and He gives you His holy character.
