The Galatians 5:19-21 “Sandwich” – The Works of OUR Flesh

I hope you weren’t expecting to feel good about yourself and your “whole Bible” “Torah observant” lifestyle today – but as I didn’t spare myself, you can’t complain much. I call this section of Scripture the sandwich where we focus on the bread while ignoring the meat, despite the fact that, in practice, we reject the bread and gobble down the meat – from Galations 5:19-21

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, (yeah. that’s right – death to the perverts, idolaters and drug addicts, ha! those rebellious losers!)

enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy (um… my spidey senses are tingling, must be the enemy trying to steal my peace, time to move on)

drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (yeah, drunken orgy-goers!)

I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (that’s right – those sex-crazed crazed, drunken idol worshipers aren’t inheriting the Kingdom!)

So we have here what I call the Galatians 5 sandwich, or “the other guy” sandwich. We sure do enjoy calling out the first five and the last two of these – and why? Well, because they are grotesquely obvious sins that only blatant sinners commit, at least in the open, right? No challenge there – and no one feels bad about themselves (not unless they start looking at other, more socially acceptable addictions or questioning themselves about whether watching sex scenes in movies counts as sexual immorality). But we aren’t here to talk about those. We’re here to talk about the works of the flesh that people pass off as righteous zeal or don’t give much thought to at all. Zeal – remember that word, as it will be important later.

Enmity – the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. For example: “enmity between Protestants and Catholics”

Whoa there Nelly! If there is one thing I see in too many of the people around me, it is open hostility to people and/or things. I see people who hate Catholics so much that they would rather die horrible deaths than give Catholics credit for the good works they do – and those poor fools who do dare to give Catholics credit get called papists or worse. I actually did get called a Jesuit spy last week for something silly. I see people hostile beyond logic towards Jews and Protestants as well – to the point where everything and anything about them has to be mindlessly attacked and discredited – even if good, or at worst, harmless. That’s enmity, living your life in hostility – it is not a Kingdom principle, and more than that, it compromises our ability to love and grow good fruit. And yes, I am sure that, despite the Scriptural warning, the reason why you are personally doing it is entirely justified. (That, boys and girls, was sarcasm. In fact, my eyes rolled so far out of my head when I said it that I had to call my kids to go look for them)

Strife – angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict. For example: “strife within the community”

Disagreement over fundamental issues is not the problem here, you see, but when it becomes angry and bitter – oh yes, big problem. This is when we see the insults and cheap shots brought to the table instead of just sticking respectfully and honorably to the facts at hand. Of course, we don’t limit our anger and bitterness to the fundamental issues, we get angry over the tiny ones as well, our pet doctrines. Of course, our pet doctrines are never small – in fact, there are no small issues in Scripture, and failure to recognize that means that someone isn’t really believing the entire Bible. Right? Right? Maybe not. Strife is founded on and rooted in control issues and fear, which are both contrary to the fruit of peace and self-control. There are things to stand our ground on, but not with bitterness; stands to take in passion, but hateful anger? Very few issues actually warrant anger, and when that anger morphs into hatred among believers? Except for our issues, because they are the most important, and we always have the discernment and maturity to hate wisely, don’t we? After all, our track record has been spotless so far.

Jealousy – I am going to risk making you really irritated and point out that the word translated as jealousy is zelos – yeah, it looks exactly like the word zealous for a reason. In fact, half the time this is translated, it is rendered “zealous.” Zeal is probably one of the most self-deceiving forces on earth and there is a big difference between the Jews coming to Yeshua/Jesus in Acts 21:20, who were zealous for the law that they had grown up with and knew inside and out, and when James and Paul combined that same exact word with selfish ambition (James 3.14) and strife (I Col 3:3). Problem with zeal is that I never met a single person who didn’t think their brand of zeal was the righteous kind – you know, like Paul when he was arresting and persecuting believers.

Jealousy, the other way to translate this word, is an ugly thing, it is a blinding thing. Twice in my time as a believer, I have had jealous wives after me – the first time because a choir director became strangely fascinated with me (I know, I mean like look at me – lol, what gives? Who knew that albino oompa loompas were so alluring?) and the second because – honestly, that was nuts because, to me, the guy was just needy and constantly whining and I don’t think that any woman (other than herself) would be attracted to that. I certainly never saw him as anything other than annoying. But jealousy is not a logical thing, it doesn’t look at the evidence, it is suspicion and paranoia driven. It happens in personal relationships, yes, and also in any situation where people feel threatened.

Fits of anger – this is the one that applies to me more than any other on the list, boy howdy. Just ask my kids. I am one of those people who just BAM! EXPLOSION. As much as I would like to wage a sarcastic defense of this one, it strikes WAY to close to home for me to even joke about. It isn’t funny because I hurt people with it. None of the works of the flesh are funny, and this one gets unleashed against kids, and innocent bystanders on social media way too often, when we launch into knee-jerk accusations and insults over very little, when even a lot should never move us into this area.

Rivalries – competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field. For example: “commercial rivalry”

This should never even begin to happen in the faith world, but it sure does. I have seen people in ministry go to great lengths to halt the popularity of others, sometimes over disagreements in doctrine but sometimes simply over audience share. Problem with rivalry in religion is that it is never above board – we shouldn’t be competing against each other, but cooperating. Rivalry in ministry leads to one thing and one thing only – the creation of personal Kingdoms and Empires. We can’t build the Kingdom of Heaven by destroying its Living Stones.

Dissensions – disagreement that leads to discord. This goes beyond just being disagreeable in your disagreement (which is shameful enough); it morphs ruthlessly into a form of disagreement that ruptures relationships. Honestly, when I look at the relationships being torn apart by flat earth/spherical earth, it definitely qualifies. And for that matter, by archaeologically unsupported stories about Nimrod being responsible for Christmas, leading us to accuse our loved ones of gross idolatry based on theories and “just so” stories (and no, I am not going to publish any Nimrod comments, if that is what you take away from this then – dang.). People who actually agree that the Word became flesh, worked miracles, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father – the very idea that they are going to be driven apart by a piddly little nothing of a debate about what shape the earth is, it boggles the mind. Shame on us if we can agree on the craziest (and truest) story ever told, without a doubt in our minds, and we are daring to call such brain candy salvational. There is a reason that Paul said, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (I Cor 2:2).

Divisions – this is what happens when dissensions go too far, and generally is coupled with strife and rivalries. We divide up into little groups that are now created in our own image, which each side firmly believes to actually be God’s image. Got idolatry? Yes, most divisions are entirely pride-based, although we tell ourselves differently. We can’t bear to sit and listen to something we disagree with, not even when we are wrong (not that WE are the wrong ones, oh no, they are wrong, and probably because of rebellion and on purpose, to boot; we are just defending orthodoxy). Oh man, the stupid things that divide us when we agree about so much.

Envy – a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck (no, I will not publish any comments about luck being related to Loki, because you know what I mean). Since coming into the ministry four years ago, I see this a lot more than I used to. People in the body unashamedly announcing their envy of other believer’s money, following, children, health, etc. I admit that I myself, being barren, am prone to ugly fits of envy when X is pregnant AGAIN, and when people with healthy, physically sound kids are complaining about things that seem stupid to me as a special needs mom, or when such and such is complaining about the burdens of being pregnant when I got my kids the hard way, through a very messy adoption that cost us just about everything. Did you see what I did there? I vocalized what is usually only in my thoughts, and I did it to show what envy looks like. Should I be mad that some people don’t know the heartache of being barren? Do I want them to be barren? Of course not! Do I want other people’s kids to be disabled so they can get a taste of my life? Heavens no! And the last one, good grief, no one should have to endure that. I wish I was the only member of that club. You see, envy isn’t just about what they have, it’s about unconsciously wishing that someone else was privy to our pain. Envy is entirely selfish and often rooted in ingratitude and pain, and yes, it is a work of the flesh because our pain is no excuse.

These aren’t on a different list from “the biggies” – they are included as equals on the same exact list. And the people who do them will not inherit the Kingdom of God – you see why I push character over knowledge?

Each of these despicable heart conditions is sandwiched in between the outward, obvious works of the flesh – the sins everyone can see. Coincidence? No way. This is the sandwich Paul described when he talked about how flawless he was in his Torah observance, while inside being a murderer. Paul kept the Feasts, he kept the Sabbath, he tithed, he ate clean, he threw coins at beggars in his gate – and he was a murderous wretch on the inside. No one cared because he was keeping the letter of the Law in the strictest sense on the outside. Paul knew what he was talking about, and what he was doing when he wrote this. At least Paul wasn’t making excuses for himself anymore, so when are we going to stop rewriting the works of our flesh as somehow being virtuous and justified acts of righteousness? I tell you the truth, we have to want to see ourselves as villains before the Spirit can even begin to get a word in edgewise. Until then, we are just fakers keeping a set of rules and patting ourselves on the back for being so obedient – but image-bearers? No, that requires integrity inside and out, that requires picking up our Cross and carrying it. It requires pain, and suffering, to be like the very image of the unseen God.

You need to know that, if after reading all that, your response isn’t introspective but a “yeah but what about…” then you have completely missed the point that we are all included in this list, and that this sort of list is meant to offend our flesh. It’s our choice, however, whether we give voice to that flesh or simply tell it to shut up for once and stop making excuses.

Putting Away Childish Things Pt 3: The difference between being childish and being malicious

Intentions are vital — they may not necessarily be important to the people whom we are hurting with our childish behavior, but they are key in whether we will be willing to remain how we are or desire to change.

Childish behavior is called childish for a reason. Children aren’t generally malicious when they are very small, they are simply clueless and lack empathy and self-awareness. And there is the difference between the malicious adult and the childish adult — are they aware of the big picture and if they are, do they care?There are, of course, people who are so severely damaged or mentally deranged that they lack the capacity to care and I will not address them here, as this is specifically written for people who care about how their behavior affects others. It would hardly do me any good on a blog like this to reach out to people who have no desire to change what they are doing. It would be more productive to try and destroy my own house by beating my head against it.

If you read the chapter in my book about The Rebellious House-guest, then you already understand the difference between being rebellious and being malicious. You can be a genuinely sweet and funny person and still have no desire to be ruled over. Same thing with childish behavior, you can be childish and still be what the world would call a decent person. But what is our goal? Is it to be acceptable by the world’s standards, or do we want the character of our King?

Is it enough to be decent and nice enough and funny and smart? Or does our childish impatience really offend us? Are we sick of being so easily angered, and flying off the handle with our families behind closed doors? Are we tired of hearing ourselves go on and on about our virtues and righteousness yet? Are we daily wishing that we weren’t so incredibly childish still in so many ways, and so good at it that we can do it without even trying?

Children don’t try to be childish. They aren’t childish because they are malicious, they are childish because we were naturally born with a great lack of character which they make better or worse by emulating or rejecting the behavior they see around them — from their parents, their friends, what’s on the television, etc. If all things are optimal, these character flaws will be rooted out by the time we reach adulthood, through training and experience. But life isn’t optimal, and optimal isn’t the same as idyllic. There are many childish flaws that will not be uncovered by what we would call a perfect life. How do you know how to respond to death maturely if your life was so perfect that it never came up? How do you respond to temptation maturely if you were never allowed to face it? You see, there is no perfection to be had through an easy life — and our unrefined childishness will quietly haunt us until revealed through circumstance. An optimal life gives us the good and bad over time and allows us to adapt and if we have good examples, to grow up. We cannot guarantee a mature response to a circumstance we have never faced.

And so I hope you see that childishness should not be seen as an insult, it should be seen as an opportunity to grow up. As children, wasn’t that what we wanted? To grow up?

So much evil out there, so many of the things that drive us crazy about other people and so many of the things that drive us crazy about ourselves — there is nothing malicious about it. It’s simply someone being childish. It is someone acting in a way that seems perfectly reasonable to them, and they think that everyone who takes issue with it has the problem. But I’m not talking to them, I am talking to the people who care to read this.

Do we want to be childish, or are we sick to death of it? Have we had enough of people thinking that we are purposefully being jerks when in fact we are simply childish and oftentimes acting and responding as children do, without thinking? Children act according to their instincts, largely without thinking things through. You want to know why patience is listed first in the I Cor 13 admonitions about what love is and isn’t? Simply put, because the primary difference between adult and childish behavior is developing the patience to think the situation through before acting. Patience before we get angry, patience before we start that list of grievances, patience before we make that cruel remark, patience to contemplate our shortcomings before we start bragging, patience to consider what we have before we start being envious, patience enough to cover, endure, wait and hope. Children have no patience, it must be learned. And if we missed it the first time around, we need to start doing it now.

Developing Godly Character Pt 1: Fighting the Urge to Dispose of People

There are people in our lives who will not respect boundaries, people who are blatantly harmful and even dangerous to our growth and sometimes our very lives, and sometimes we need to formally recognize the reality of that situation by cutting off ties for a season or forever.

There are other people who we simply may not like for a season, people who have challenged us, called us on our behavior, or disagreed with us peacefully, or might be angry because they feel threatened or misunderstood. These people, although they make us uncomfortable, will usually respect boundaries — even when they don’t like those boundaries.

Here’s the point — it is unfair of us to reject people who we have not clearly outlined our boundaries to. Now, I am not talking boundaries like “Do not rape, molest, murder, or physically or emotionally abuse me.” I am talking about boundaries like, “I don’t want to talk about this,” or “when you do such and such, it is just not something I can deal with and if you want relationship with me you have to knock it off.”

But a lot of us, and I included myself in this category until just this last 6 months, view any sort of challenge, questioning, dislike, or disagreement as tantamount to hatred and abuse. Normal life can be a terrifying prospect for someone with that skewed mindset and until they heal, they are not safe to be in a full relationship with — nor are they even capable of a real relationship. It comes down to being able to cope with criticism and dissent — and there are a whole lot of people who grew up in an atmosphere of unrelenting criticism, and have not learned to receive it as something that can also be good in the proper context. A person who cannot be questioned, corrected, disliked, or disagreed with is not fit to teach or minister YET and they are certainly not representing the character of the Messiah, who is genuinely humble — not just someone who claims to be humble. Someone who is not content to decrease so that Messiah can increase is not faithfully representing Him.

We cannot afford to be touchy and still consider ourselves to be effective ministers of the gospel. No matter what we teach information-wise, we teach far more with the character we display when questioned. If we are, or appear to be, anointed in what we are teaching others, we give a false idea about what the character of our King is when we couple it with abusive behavior. We cannot treat those who simply disagree with us as disposable commodities, blocking (the social media equivalent of shunning) them at the slightest provocation, or preaching against them, or inciting contempt against them either by name or anonymously. The block button isn’t there to simply avoid minor conflicts, but to stand in the way of actual, real, boundary crossing abuse. Our walls are not here to incite hatred against our brothers and sisters, or gather allies to ourselves, and our block buttons should not be used to dispose of people who have not truly abused us. At least not if we desire for our actions to be set apart.

Being angry at someone is oftentimes about our own garbage — at least in my experience it says more about me than about them. I generally get angry when I am a part of the situation, and not set-apart from the situation.

But we have a lot of people who are so wounded that they can’t tell the difference between real abuse and simply feeling threatened, and so they act like their anger and hurt is always justified. I speak from years of experience when I say that they need to step back and submit themselves to God, and become committed to becoming the types of people who are worthy of being over ten cities, or five cities — cities full of people. Yeshua didn’t come to save cities, or ministries, or doctrines — He came to save people. Everything else is secondary to becoming people who can care for people, as a community with everyone’s gifts working together like an orchestra. An orchestra conducted by our King.

And He decides who is and is not disposable, at the harvest, and they will be bundled up and burned like chaff. But He won’t do it casually, and He won’t do it based upon a momentary disagreement, a challenge, or even dislike. And He won’t spend a lot of time justifying Himself in front of an audience. Gosh, there are so many things we can learn from how He does things!