To the faithful in search of understanding,

Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

I write to you concerning your inquiry about Galatians, chapter 5, verses 19 to 21, where it speaks of "the works of the flesh." These are behaviors and desires that are contrary to the Spirit and are as follows: "Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like."

Adultery and fornication are sins against the sanctity of marriage and the purity of one's body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Uncleanness and lasciviousness refer to moral impurity and uncontrolled lusts. Idolatry is the worship of false gods, and witchcraft involves the practice of forbidden arts. Hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies create discord and division among brethren, which is contrary to the love and unity we are called to in Christ. Envying, murders, drunkenness, and revellings are actions that stem from a life led by fleshly desires rather than the Spirit.

These things, dear brethren, are of the flesh and not of the Spirit. They lead us away from the path of righteousness and into darkness. As followers of Christ, we are called to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, living instead by the Spirit. For they that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Let this be a call to self-examination and repentance. Let us seek to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. In doing so, we abide in Christ and He in us.

May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

Apostle Paul