This week, we continue exploring how the works of the flesh affect the life of a believer, with a specific warning against idolatry and how to overcome this temptation. Scripture reveals that the enemy’s tactics to deceive God’s children remain unchanged: “… the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life …” (1 John 2:16). From Eve’s deception in the Garden of Eden to Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, we see the same pattern at work. In Genesis 3:6, Eve“ saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make one wise (pride of life),” and she fell into sin. The enemy used the same strategy against Jesus in Matthew 4:3-9, tempting Him to turn stones into bread (lust of the flesh), throw Himself down and witness His own rescue (lust of the eyes), and worship him in exchange for dominion over the kingdoms of the world (pride of life). Yet, Jesus stood firm on the Word of God and overcame. We too face these temptations daily, and Scripture warns us to be vigilant, because our adversary the devil, “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). When we walk in the Spirit and bear the fruit of the Spirit, the enemy cannot touch us; but, when we yield to the flesh, we open the door for him.
Galatians 5:19-20 categorizes the works of the flesh into two main areas: sexual immorality, which defiles the body and makes it vulnerable to attack, and religious corruption, which leads the soul away from God. Apostle Paul writes, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, and heresies.” Scripture urges us to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and “keep ourselves free from idols” (1 John 5:21), because both bring destruction. Idolatry remains a prevalent issue today, often disguised in ways we may not immediately recognize; however, its dangers cannot be ignored – the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 28 shows us the dire consequences, thereof. As Israel prepared for battle against the Philistines, Saul was overcome with fear at seeing the enemy’s army (vs.5) and sought guidance from the Lord. But when God did not answer him through dreams or the prophets (vs.6), Saul – in his desperation – turned to a woman with a familiar spirit (vs.7-9), seeking answers from what God had already condemned, saying, “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them” (Leviticus 19:31). Saints, desperation must never drive us to seek answers outside God’s Word. When we do, we open ourselves up to deception and manipulation by the devil’s cheap imitations. The Spirit of Truth flows from God’s Word, but familiar spirits pervert the truth to ensnare and manipulate. Therefore, we must be careful not to be in environments where we can be easily deceived and led astray.
Saul then asked the woman to bring up Samuel, expecting a familiar spirit to mimic the prophet (vs.11). However, when Samuel himself appeared, the woman cried out in fear (vs.12), realizing that this was no ordinary summoning. Upon appearing, Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, “Why have you disturbed me … ?” (vs.15), and Saul admitted, “God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore …” (vs.16). Yet, instead of repenting and patiently seeking the Lord, he sought guidance from a forbidden source, sealing his fate. Like Saul, many believers today fall into the same trap, seeking answers outside of God’s will in moments of desperation, but this only leads to ruin. Saints, when we struggle to hear God’s voice, let us not turn to deceptive voices masquerading as truth. Instead, let us remain steadfast in His Word and trust in His perfect timing.
The works of the flesh do not only manifest in idolatry, but also through internal struggles like wrath, envy, and strife (Galatians 5:20) – the very things that led to Saul’s downfall. In 1 Samuel 18, after David’s victory over Goliath, the women of Israel praised him more than Saul, singing, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (vs.7). This ignited jealousy in Saul’s heart, and from that day, he eyed David with envy (vs.8-9). The next day, an evil spirit came upon Saul, and he threw a javelin at David as he played the harp, saying, “I will smite David even to the wall with it” (vs.10-11). Though David escaped – twice – Saul’s wrath had already taken root. What began as jealousy led to anger, then hatred, and finally attempted murder. This is the danger of allowing the flesh to go unchecked: when the flesh takes control, sin always escalates. That is why James 1:20 warns, “the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” When we allow anger, jealousy, and insecurity to take hold, we open the door to destruction. Therefore, let us choose to walk in the Spirit, crucify the flesh with its passions, and guard our hearts against the snares of sin.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word that reveals the dangers of idolatry and the works of the flesh. We choose to walk in the Spirit, crucify the desires of the flesh, and align our hearts with Your Truth, always. We choose to remain steadfast in Your Word to guard our hearts and minds against anything that draws us away from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
