Manna Moment - Sinful Nature Part 10

[Rev. Lyn Bell]

Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Good morning it is Happy Feet Friday! Yeah it has arrived very quickly this week and I am okay with it! We have had quite a bit of rain this week and more forecast for today. It’s 64 degrees and with a high of 71 and rain expected. The ground is good for reseeding your lawn, planting fall flowers and putting out your harvest decorations (let’s not argue about how pagan decorating is, we are not worshiping it, just decorating). Lots of fall activities in the local area going, but don’t forget to save the date for October 22nd Fall Bazaar at Calvary Gospel Church! Don’t forget tomorrow’s prayer call with guest minister Dale Bell.

Today is the last day of the Sinful Nature series. What a way to end this with discussing drunkenness and orgies. Drunkenness in biblical times was a common vice; it says that the Greeks drank more wine than they did milk. Even their children drank wine. The deal is they didn’t guzzle it down straight as we are known to do, instead it was three parts water to two of wine. That is really an interesting fact. Is it okay for Christians to drink wine, I can’t tell you whether its sin or not, but I can tell you that getting drunk is definitely sinful. So what gets you drunk? Let the Holy Spirit be your guide in all matters as it is the teacher. My research states that both Christians and Greeks have condemned drunkenness as a thing that turns people into animals. I know most of you that may have gotten drunk probably made some bad decisions in the course of that state of mind.

Orgies or carousing? When I first read orgies, I thought yikes I am not so sure I want to talk about that. Carousing or Komos the Greek word has an interesting history which had to do with accompanying a victor after the games if he won. They would dance and party it down. What it means is unrestrained partying and enjoyment that is out of control. Goes along with drunkenness you think?

As we have spent time in looking at the root meaning of these words, we can see that life has not changed so very much, heh? But we can ask God to look at our hearts and behaviors and ask the Holy Spirit to strength us, so that we can enter the Kingdom of heaven! God is so good that not only he tells us what he expects in the fruit of the Spirit, but is very clear in what behaviors of our flesh that would cause us to miss our great inheritance! Have a blessed weekend!