How Can Christians Avoid the Sneaky Works of the Flesh?
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Good teaching not only promises the good; it also warns us of the bad. Consequently, the New Testament cautions us against the “works of the flesh.”
We tend to shy away from discussions about hell or judgment. Yet Jesus and the New Testament writers provide both sides (positive and negative, heaven and hell) because the truth includes both. God doesn’t want us to decide with half of the truth.
Since the phrase “works of the flesh” may seem religious or old-fashioned, we need to define what we are talking about. What does the Bible mean by “works of the flesh,” and how can we avoid them?
What Does the Bible Mean by “Works of the Flesh”?
Scripture uses “works of the flesh” to describe behaviors and actions contrary to God’s will and character. This concept is notably found in the writings of the apostle Paul, outlined in Galatians 5:19-21:
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”
These verses highlight many behaviors stemming from humanity’s fallen nature, separated from God’s guidance and moral standards. These include moral issues like sexual and moral purity, witchcraft, worshipping false gods, and destructive elements within personal relationships—hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy. Finally, some behaviors stem from a loss of self-control, like drunkenness and orgies.
The relational “works of the flesh” are especially sneaky. Sins such as hatred and greed reside within the heart, unseen by others, and people can easily justify their hidden feelings. To take “discord” as an example: others may have legitimately hurt or offended us; those wounds are difficult to forgive and move toward reconciliation. However, unforgiveness and discord bring more destruction and sin, not less.
The term “works of the flesh” contrasts with “fruit of the Spirit” in the same passage (Galatians 5:22-23). While the works of the flesh result from the fallen human nature, the fruit of the Spirit reflects the transformative work of God’s Spirit in the lives of believers. The contrast emphasizes the spiritual battle between the desires of the flesh and the virtues produced by the Spirit.
The two terms, works and fruit, are also important. The Bible uses the term “flesh” to refer to our sinful human nature, not the physical body itself. These sins listed speak of striving through our own abilities, using our sinful nature, which leads to nothing but death. In contrast, “fruit” is organic and expresses life and growth; this fruit comes not from us but from the Holy Spirit.
What Are Some Modern Examples of Works of the Flesh?
It can be hard to relate to terms like “debauchery” and or references from ancient biblical culture. However, human nature hasn’t changed, and there are modern “works of the flesh” we should watch out for.
People rarely use the word debauchery today, so examples might be helpful. Debauchery is a lifestyle marked by excessively indulging in pleasure, leading to moral decay. This would include excessive drinking, drug abuse, and other reckless behavior; anything where people disregard their safety or other people’s safety.
Sexual immorality includes extramarital affairs and unfaithfulness—all things that violate the biblical standard of fidelity within marriage. Casual and indiscriminate sexual relationships also go against God’s design for marriage and purity. Unfortunately, these sexual sins have become more common and accepted, even within Christian communities. For example, pornography’s prevalence affects both men and women in extremely negative ways today.
Most modern individuals probably don’t kneel to statues, worship pagan gods, or participate in curses. We do need to stay away from some occult practices—such as astrology, tarot cards, or Ouija boards—that exist today. However, idolatry goes beyond these ancient ideas and images. Excessive devotion to material possessions and wealth can replace God.
There are sneakier “works of the flesh” we must watch out for, such as hatred and discord. It’s all too easy to participate in prejudice, be it in person or in divisive conversations on social media. We can become jealous and envious in the workplace. Even in contexts like work, where ambition is praised, we must resist personal and selfish ambition, unethical practices, or success at others’ expense.
How Can We Stay Away From Works of the Flesh?
On an individual level, believers avoid the works of the flesh through various spiritual disciplines.
Every spiritual discipline helps us engage with God, to deepen our intimacy with him. Intimacy with God relies not on our power, but upon the Spirit who works through us. Believers can perform spiritual disciplines like reading the Bible in their own strength, but this goes against the point. Believers should consistently study the Bible, pray, and meditate, each time asking God to work in them.
Beyond spiritual disciplines, Christians should consider boundaries. In general, boundaries become healthy habits.
Some boundaries apply to content. Christian should use discernment about what they consume, avoiding entertainment that promotes impurity, violence, or moral compromise. Instead, believers should seek uplifting influences that inspire a godly lifestyle.
Boundaries also apply to relationships—seeking healthy relationships and avoiding toxic dynamics.
While boundaries are key, the larger principle is to consider what we do with the time we’re given. Using time well prevents extremes—both extremes like excessive stress (tempting us to resentment and other sins) and too much downtime (which we use for short-term pleasures instead of rest).
Which leads us to consider what we can pursue instead of the works of the flesh.
How Do We Replace the Works of the Flesh with Other Things?
Christian teaching includes both the positive and negative, as mentioned earlier. Hence, it isn’t only denying sin; self-control is also of the Spirit, but we should also participate in the Kingdom and seek righteousness. The apostle Paul’s writings explain how believers should replace these works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.
Regular reminders and spiritual disciples help believers cultivate the fruits of the Spirit.
To begin, God is love, so his followers prioritize love in all interactions, fostering kindness and compassion toward others. Next, seek joy and peace in God, allowing these virtues to govern responses to life challenges. Practicing gratitude, thanking God for all he’s done and continues to do, especially understanding God's grace and mercy, has a great impact.
Gratitude leads to generosity toward others. God gives the best of himself for all he loves, and Christians walk in greater intimacy through acts of service and generosity to those in need. Many opportunities exist for anyone looking for local or international mission activities.
How Can We Help Other Christians Avoid the Works of the Flesh?
No believer is meant to live life alone. Believers to participate in the body of Christ, to experience each other’s spiritual gifts and treasures, to avoid the works of the flesh. God has designed the local and universal church to aid us in our spiritual journey.
There are practical ways for believers to help others steer clear of the works of the flesh.
Corporate praise and Biblical teaching center the whole community upon God’s person and His truth. Churches should hold sermon series and teachings on the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, with practical applications. Bible study groups can deepen members’ understanding of relevant passages and encourage reflection on biblical principles.
At the core, the Scripture models the church after a family, the household of God. So, the church must be a community of love and acceptance, where every member feels valued regardless of their struggles. Express unconditional love in the community through every interaction. When correction must occur, it should be done with humility and grace, as God showed us.
First, we must establish intimate relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, relationships that encourage support and accountability. This can happen in groups of two or more (like accountability partners) or in small groups (like Bible studies), as long as the group meets regularly. Any of these options gives a framework for mutual edification and correction. These peer relationships can foster open communication. Members must feel comfortable expressing struggles and failures, which we all experience, and seek guidance without fear of judgment.
Mentorship and discipleship help us grow further in the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus instituted discipleship through relationships, living life together, and hands-on teaching. Discipleship (whether through a formal church program or informal meetings with a mentor) is essential. We each need someone who can give vision and support. We also have times when we need spiritual leaders who can provide guidance or counseling when we face particular challenges.
Prayer is also key to cultivating the fruit of the spirit. When cleansing the Temple the week before his death, Jesus declared his Father’s house was one of prayer. The church acts as the Temple of God in the New Covenant, and prayer should have priority in our gatherings. We must create a culture of prayer. The first step is regular weekly corporate prayer meetings where members collectively seek God’s guidance and strength. Prayer for each other should also happen during accountability and discipleship meetings.
Just as Jesus took his disciples on mission to reach out, preach the Gospel, and bring relief to the hurting, our local churches find more relationship and purpose when we organize service and outreach activities. The Gospel becomes more real in these moments. Engage in community service projects emphasizing acts of love and compassion, redirecting focus from our own desires to others’ needs. This could also include mission trips exposing us to different perspectives and people.
As a family, we require healthy relationships providing good examples. Develop ministries focusing on healthy marriages and relationships, addressing potential conflict areas. Spiritual leaders should model healthy relationships as examples for others.
By actively incorporating these strategies into the church’s culture, Christians can create an environment that helps people avoid the works of the flesh. It also creates a supportive network combining biblical principles, intentional relationships, and a commitment to fostering spiritual growth.
Peace.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/fizkes
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy-to-read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. We hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in your life today.