I Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

MEMORY VERSE: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.—Galatians 6: 7, 8

CENTRAL THOUGHT: The conversation, ways, and habits of a person who is governed by godliness and submission to the Holy Spirit of God will manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit in that person’s life; while being dominated and controlled by fleshly lusts and desires will produce all manner of sin and wrong.

WORD DEFINITIONS

I Corinthians 6:9, “fornicators”: People who have unlawful sexual relations and behavior. “idolators”: People who worship other gods beside the true God. “adulterers”: People who are not true to their husbands or wives. “abusers of themselves with mankind”: Men who have sexual relations with men.

Ver. 10, “covetous”: Lovers of money and material wealth. “revilers and extortioners”: trouble-makers and those who stir up hatred and strife.

Ver. 11, “washed”: Made clean through obeying the truth and being forgiven of sin. “sanctified”: Made pure and holy. “justified”: Made just and righteous before God.

Romans 8:12, “debtors, not to the flesh”: Do not have to live after the fleshly lusts of this world.

Ver. 13, “mortify”: Put to death and bring under strict control.

Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit”: Conduct one’s self to please God.

Ver. 17, “lusteth against”: The flesh has desires contrary to the Spirit of God. “cannot do the things that ye would”: Cannot follow inclinations of the flesh.

Ver. 19, “uncleanness”: Impurity. “lasciviousness”: Filthy conduct with no control.

Ver. 20, “idolatry”: Worshipping other gods besides the true God. “witchcraft”: The Greek word is “pharmacia”, which means “medication”. “variance”: Wrangling and arguing. “emulations”: Jealousy and ill-will. “strife”: Contention and division. “seditions”: Doctrines causing division and contention. “heresies”: False doctrines contrary to the truth.

Ver. 21, “envyings”: Ill will and jealousy. “revellings”: Lowering and letting loose the standard of God’s word. Ver. 23, “meekness”: Gentleness and humility. “temperance”: Self-discipline and control.

Ver. 25, “walk in the Spirit”: Behave and conduct one’s self in accord with God’s Spirit.

Galatians 6:7, “God is not mocked”: You can’t fool your Creator.

Ver. 8, “soweth to the flesh”: Allows the flesh to have control. “soweth to the Spirit”: Allows the Holy Spirit to fully guide and control.

LESSON BACKGROUND

From the holy writings of the apostle Paul, we have a definite guideline of the two distinct powers and influences that we, as mortals in this time world, are faced with. It was that way in Paul’s time and long before him. It was the solemn conflict that faced Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, and that which has faced every mortal since then. History is very vivid in revealing both sides of this matter. It is a proven fact that to yield to the alluring powers of Satan in the lusts and passions of the flesh brings trouble, disappointment, and eternal damnation in the long run.

We all have to face this situation. I can recall times in my youthful years when the flesh and lustful attractions of the world allured my heart and mind, but I am thankful for a godly mother and the saints of God, along with the Holy Spirit, that helped to draw my soul to an unfailing decision to let the Holy Spirit and the gospel of Christ have the pre-eminence in my life.

The attractions of the world and the lusts of the flesh are clearly defined in our lesson. Until a person is awakened to the solemnity of this matter, there is very little chance of attaining to the right way. The things that are mentioned in our lesson today, of the lustful current of this ungodly world, are still in great operation. But the Holy Scriptures are plain and the Holy Spirit is faithful to deal with the souls of humanity. He is working and will continue to work as long as time shall last.

May the Lord help each one of us to be sincere and honest before God and make that solemn decision to turn from the lusts of the flesh mentioned in our lesson and seek earnestly with all of our hearts to yield to the Holy Spirit and gain access to the eternal kingdom of God!

–Bro. Leslie Busbee

QUESTIONS:

1. What are some of the fleshly attractions before a person?
2. What are the attractions that God and Christ have shown?
3. What must a person do to really escape the ways of sin?
4. What will be the end of a life given to fleshly lusts and pleasure?                                                                                                                  5. What will be the end of a life in which the Holy Spirit had control?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

The appetites and desires of this mortal body are the main instruments that Satan uses to attract the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. One of the things that is used is the natural physical attraction between the genders. The desire of a young man to the beauty of a young woman is a great and powerful element to influence them both. It is heavenly wisdom to bring our feelings and desires into proper bounds, and seek the help and grace of the Almighty God to understand and have the courage to make the wise decision concerning this matter. Fornication and adultery are two of the results of the fleshly lusts that are so attractive to the mind and heart.

Oh, how vital it is for young people to consecrate their lives to God and commit their ways to His guidance and trust! I can remember the strong influence for lustful fulfillment in the society in which I grew up. I thank the Lord that He helped me to seek His guidance and obey the leadings of His Holy Spirit. I would earnestly plead with all young people to make that solemn decision for God and to do His perfect will. It will be worth it all to experience His blessings!

—Bro. Leslie Busbee

REFLECTIONS

In Matthew 12:33 it says, “The tree is known by his fruit”. A man that is living in the flesh and being controlled by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life brings forth corrupt fruit (either literally or morally). Roots of sin are manifest in how much time we spend on something and where our love and heart’s desires are. Certainly, the individual who yields to the temptation of sin and has sinful pleasures abounding in his life will not produce fruits of righteousness. However, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).

The fruits of righteousness bring life to a darkened and barren world. What a blessing to see a child of God bringing hope, cheer, and good news to the lost world round him! Proverbs 10:16 says, “The labor of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” That is such a total difference. There is no way to compare the life of the godly with the ungodly. One brings life and hope and the other brings selfishness and death.

Let us remember the four laws of harvest which I believe are biblical: 1. You reap what you sow. 2. You reap more than you sow. 3. You reap where you sow. 4. You reap later than you sow, or in a different season. Let us sow good deeds for Jesus and have the rich, peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives.

–Bro. James Bell