〽️ *THE WORKS OF THE FLESH* Part One _A Call to Be Born Again_ *READ* “I say then, walk by the Spirit, and you shall not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another…” *THINK* The apostle Paul presents a list of “works of the flesh” as a warning to believers. It is not simply a list of incorrect behaviors, but an x-ray of our sinful nature, which separates us from God and prevents us from inheriting His Kingdom unless there is a *new birth* resulting from genuine *repentance* in Christ (John 3:3-5). These works spring from an unregenerate heart, which has not yet been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. This list is not exhaustive, as Paul indicates with the phrase, “and things like these,” meaning that there are many other attitudes and behaviors that spring from the same carnal heart. To study them in depth, we group them into three thematic areas: sexual, ethical, and interpersonal. We will begin the first part of this study with the sexual area and conclude the entire study on Saturday. There is a practical application for you to confront and be edified. ☯️ *SEXUAL AREA* Impurity, sexual immorality, lust, orgies These are deviations from God's design for human sexuality. In Scripture, the body is not something insignificant: it is nothing less than *the temple of the Holy Spirit* (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When we surrender our bodies to sexual sin, we violate that temple and desecrate something that was purchased with blood. Sexual immorality (porneia) includes any sexual act outside the marriage covenant between a man and a woman. Impurity involves thoughts, desires, and fantasies contaminated by lustful images and thoughts. Lasciviousness (sensuality) refers to a life dominated by pleasure and sexual desire, without shame or restraint. Orgies are outpourings of sensuality, passion, and collective debauchery. Why do human beings fall into these sins? Because in its natural state, the human heart abuses sexuality and makes it the center of its social and personal life. Today's culture normalizes and promotes these sins as "freedom," but in reality they enslave the soul. Jesus taught that adultery *begins in the heart*, in the mind and spirit of the human person (Matthew 5:28), and therefore the problem is not outside of us but in our own conscience. The height of humankind's misery is that it has made sexuality a lucrative business, exacerbating sexuality and creating a world of fantasy and unattainable perversion. But it is evident that this is our nature; we cannot stop a dog from barking or a bird from wanting to fly; that is their nature, and man's nature is sin. That is why we must seek eternal things and ask the Most High God for mercy and pity so that we may find Christ and be born again to a new, spiritual, and holy nature. 🔑 *APPLICATION* The practical application develops by thinking and questioning ourselves about our own behavior. It is a matter of conscience and honesty. Let us not be afraid to ask, let us confess our sins with repentance and turn away from them, and the Lord will have mercy. _Reflection Questions:_ *Let's read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20* Why is sexual sin so destructive, even for believers? What "accepted" forms of sexual immorality do we see in society today? Am I guarding the sanctity of my body and mind as a temple of God? Am I honoring God with my body and mind? Have I allowed impurity to infiltrate my life? *LET'S PRAY* God, allow us to see our nature, question it, and understand how far we are from You, from Your love and forgiveness, and from Your mercy for Your people, through Christ and His work. May we return to Your presence and will through a new birth, or may we be confirmed through the renewal of the Spirit for those who already believe in You. 📣 *Share!* and join our new WhatsApp channel to receive directly. Fraternally, Germain Castellanos *COMMUNITY H242* www.communityh242.org _Your faith wherever you are_ 👁️‍🗨️