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Last month we began to look at a list given to us by the apostle Paul in the fifth chapter of Galatians. This list put forth not a "to do" list, but rather a "don't" list of sins. At first glance, the list just seems to be a hodge-podge of vices. When studied further, we see four different kinds of sin "groups" and the progression of supporting sins of each group.
We studied the first two groupings last month - an excess-driven pursuit of s*xual pleasure and an excess-driven desire to worship. Today we will look at the final two groupings. Let's look again at our passage of Scripture.
GALATIANS 5
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: s*xual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Today's discussion will begin with the third word in verse twenty.
III. CURB AN EXCESS-DRIVEN VIEW OF SELF
Now Paul warns us of an excess-driven view of our self. From the moment of our birth, we perceive that the world revolves around us. And for a while, it does. But as we grow older, we understand perspective and other relationships in our lives. Sin tempts us to lose that perspective and return to a very self-centered view of life.
A. Let's look first at the ideal. What view of ourselves does God want us to have? He created us to have a subservient relationship with Himself. We are to be dependent and obedient to His desires. While we are the crowning point of His creation, we are creatures who owe all to the Creator.
B. Sin tempts us to displace God from the throne and to occupy the position ourself.
- ECHTHRAI - The word translated "hatred" literally means "the hostilities." It can signify the feeling between individuals or communities on political, racial or religious grounds; it is not just hostile acts, but the underlying hostile sentiments and intentions.
- ERIS - The word literally means "quarrelsomeness," but its focus magnifies the attitude that causes quarrels. Strife was explained in early Greek thought through the mythological character Eris, the goddess whose malignant influence produced war and destruction. The idea was that some people have such strife at their core that they were possessed as it were by the spirit of Eris.
- ZALOS - This word is an interesting word from which the English gets the transliterated "zeal." It's a passion and fervor that always derives its specific understanding by the context. In a list of vices such as this, the word denotes a selfish jealousy - a resentment of anything that promotes the success of another.
- THUMOI - It literally means "outbursts of rage" but without thought. It was often used to describe a dog which would start barking before waiting to see if one is a friend or not.
- ERITHEIA - This is "one who works for pay." Over the years, the word came to mean one who was driven for pay, without regard for others.
- DICHOSTASIAI - The word literally means "being divided by beliefs." It includes purposely teaching less than the truth with the purpose of enraging the listener against those who believe differently.
- AIRESEIS - The word has the denotation of "choosing a different path" than what the normal traveler would chose - kind of like flying from Louisville first to Philadelphia before eventually reaching your Miami destination. In areas of belief, it gives us our English word "heresy."
- PHTHONOS - The word literally means "waiting to snatch." It came to mean a "grudging spirit that cannot bear to think about someone else's prosperity. Socrates said "the envious are pained by their friends' successes."
Do you see the progression? When we elevate our view of self, it drives us with almost a possessed spirit. I will do anything - trampling over foes, friends or even family - to get my way. When done habitually over time, the person doesn't even realize they aren't viewing the feelings or welfare of others. Everyone exists in relationship to "me."
IV. CURB AN EXCESS-DRIVEN SEARCH FOR ESCAPE
A. Let's look first at the ideal. Is there anything wrong with wanting a little rest - a chance to escape from the normal routines of the day? Think back to the Garden of Eden. After their day's journey, Adam and Eve used to enjoy a time alone walking and talking with God. Since the first sin, there is a strong desire within man to regain that time of "rest." It is needed - so much so that God commanded a sabbath rest.
B. But that desire for "rest" can be turned into sin by Satan's twisting of the good. Let's look at the last two words in Paul's list. They give an incredible insight into this desire to sin.
- METHAI - This word was used to describe drinking and partying. It weakens the vigilance needed to maintain safety. It could often describe the edge of abusiveness during these times of drunkenness. There was a desire in this word to "be drunk with others who have no limits." The word usually carried a connotation that led to s*xual promiscuity.
- CHOMOI - This is such an interesting word. In the singular form, it denoted a joyful procession and banquet held in honor of a citizen who had distinguished himself in some way, usually in community service or expressions of loyalty to a political leader. The plural of the word, which Paul uses here, became associated with what the closing stage of the celebration could become - a drunken, s*xual romp where the honored one dictated the decadence of all. The person was not happy with his own sins, but desired to inflict the sin upon others.
Next month we will take a look at the next verses of the chapter. You will see how the fruit of the Spirit is also a list - a list that counters these excess-driven desires.
Tom May
Discipleship Minister at Eastside Christian Church (Jeffersonville, Ind.)
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