Substance and Sexual Abuse

Galatians 5:13-26

Thesis: Christians live to magnify Christ, not to gratify sinful desires.

Christians magnify Christ by crucifying sinful desires, vv. 24, 19-21.

A. We must crucify sexually immoral desires.

1. adultery and incest
2. impurity = sexual promiscuity
3. debauchery = pornography, prostitution, homosexuality, and beastiality

B. We must crucify idolatrous desires.

1. idolatry = reverence or worship of created things, not the Creator
2. witchcraft = voodoo spells and drug abuse (the Greek word translated witchcraft refers to drug intoxication)

C. We must crucify abusive desires.

1. hatred = predetermined mental attitude / prejudice
2. discord = stirring up arguments
3. jealousy = resent success and accomplishments of others
4. fits of rage = self-centered anger, insensitive to others
5. selfish ambition = office seeking
6. dissension = backbiting, bad-mouthing, malicious gossip
7. factions = choosing sides based on selfish pride, envy and bickering
8. envy = hostile, malignant spirit

D. We must crucify intemperate desires.

1. drunkenness
2. orgies, closely connected to drunkenness, the abuse of alcohol contributes to marital infidelity, child and spouse abuse, and moral chaos.

Those who gratify these sinful desires prove that they lack the Holy Spirit, and without the Holy Spirit, one is not saved. They will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Christians magnify Christ by following the Holy Spirit, vv. 22-26.

A. We must develop Christian habits of mind.

1. love = self-sacrificing love
2. joy = inner rejoicing dependent on Holy Spirit’s presence
3. peace = faithful quiet resolution in the presence of difficult circumstances, Philippians 4:7

B. We must develop Christian relationships with people.

1. patience = restraint, not seeking revenge, not easily offended
2. kindness = thoughtfulness and considerate
3. goodness = generous in compassion and gracious behavior

C. We must develop Christian relationships between people and circumstances.

1. faithfulness = trustworthy, reliable, willing to endure suffering rather than compromise
2. gentleness = strength under control in loving service and respectful actions; teachable
3. self-control = personal restraint

The presence or absence of these Christian graces distinguishes a spiritually dead person from a spiritually alive person, vv. 24-26.

1. Spiritually dead person is one who does not strive with his sinful nature; he blindly submits to it.
2. Spiritually alive person continues to struggle in his tug-of-war with his sinful nature and the Holy Spirit.

Christians magnify Christ by serving others, vv. 13-14.

A. We must refuse self-centered living.

1. Idle minds are the devil’s dominion.
2. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.
3. Idle eyes are the devil’s desires.

B. We must choose self-sacrificial living, Romans 12:1.

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