The works of the flesh

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The works of the flesh
Galatians

• Enmities Strife

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Review

• We have been freed in Christ
• Not to continue in sin
• But rather to serve one another through love
• The flesh will tempt us to continue in sin
• The Spirit will lead us to loving service
• The next 8 works of the flesh are all in direct
  opposition to love

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Enmities

• Gal 520
• Greek echthra enmities, hatred, hostilities
• Notice how it is used
• Lk 2312 opposite of friendship
• Rom 86-8 those who refuse to submit to the law
  of God
• Jms 44 result of friendship with Gods enemies

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Enmities

• Used in secular Greek to describe
• Hostility between social classes
• The haves versus the have-nots
• Hostility between races
• Jews, Greeks, barbarians
• Hostility between individuals
• For any reason

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Enmities

• Definition describes an attitude of mind toward
  other people which involves barriers between them
  and you
• Eph 213-16
• Christ died not only to reconcile us to God
• But also to reconcile us to each other
• Col 39-11
• If we have barriers between us, we are fighting
  against the work of Christ

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Enmities

• Consider again the definition of enmities
• Definition describes an attitude of mind toward
  other people which involves barriers between them
  and you
• Now consider the definition of love (agape)
• An attitude of mind which will never allow
  itself to be bitter toward any man always
  seeking the highest good of others

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Strife

• Greek eris (contentions, strife, variance)
• Defined the expression of enmity or hatred the
  outcome in actual life of that state of mind
• Other translations wrangling, quarreling,
  fighting, discord
• Sadly, a condition seen in some churches
• 1 Cor 111, 33
• Jms 41-4

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Where does strife come from?

• James 41-4
• When people are concerned about what pleases
  themselves
• When people are desire things or positions which
  they cant have
• When people are friends of the world
• 1 Cor 112
• Strife arises when people think a person
  besides Christ is important

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Overcoming strife

• 1 Cor 22
• Exalt Christ and adopt His attitude
• 2 Cor 45 Phil 23-5
• James 47-10
• Submit to God and resist the devil
• Draw near to God
• Cleanse your hands (actions)
• Purify your heart (thoughts, motives, feelings)
• Be miserable (acknowledge your sin)
• Humble yourself

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Summary

• Enmity is the state of mind of being hostile or
  set against another
• Strife is the outward result of enmity
• Either will keep you from getting to heaven
• Overcome them by following the word of God
• Be led by the Spirit

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