Together in Christ: 'Headed for Destruction' — Galatians 5:19-21

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
— Galatians 5:19-21 NLT

Key Thought

Nobody seems to want to hear such warnings these days. However, the Holy Spirit spoke through the New Testament writers and made clear that some behaviors, ways of life, and choices are so anti-godliness that they are not permitted in God's Kingdom way of life. People who live this way, the apostle Paul says, "will not inherit the Kingdom of God. If we doubt this truth, all we need to do is listen and look at what other passages say about staying far away from such things and that people who do such things won't be part of God's eternal Kingdom. [1]

While we can have difficulty finding a TV show or movie that does not glamorize and normalize sinful behaviors and seek to make them acceptable, God's messaging is clear. These behaviors aren't part of God's Kingdom. They are the opposite of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [2] Jesus died and rose again so that the Holy Spirit could empower us to make these sinful behaviors our past life and not our future one! [3]

[1] Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-13, 18, 10:18; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 5:3-9; Colossians 3:5-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
[2] Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:28-32.
[3] 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 3:14-21.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive me for flirting with the world and lowering my guard against Satan's temptations, deceptions, and lies. I know he wants to pull me away from my relationship with You and destroy me and what I hold dear.* I need Your help, O, God, to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and use the power of the Holy Spirit to produce Your holy fruit in me. I ask for Your help, dear Father, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

* John 8:44.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
  • Ephesians 5:3-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

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Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:19-21 NLT — When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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