CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”, Galatians 5:15

 

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).

The phrase “if you”, as it applies to you (and me) as a disciple of Jesus, appears one hundred twenty-four times in the English Standard Version (ESV) of the New Testament.

First, we will be confronted with various situations and circumstances from the Bible and, we will discover how we are to respond in these examples. Secondly, I have personalized (rephrased) our study verses for you to memorize. By this, we can bring the Gospel to life as we go and defeat sin along our way.

Today we, as Christians, are confronted with questions about how we should deal with matters such as:

Bible Verse – “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).

IN CONTEXT

Galatians5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. Verse 14. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Verse 15. But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Verse 16. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Verse 17. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. Verse 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Verse 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, verse 20, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, verse 21, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, verse 23, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Verse 24. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Verse 25. If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. Verse 26. Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

REPHRASED and personalized to memorize:

“But if I bite and devour another, I must beware lest we are consumed by one another!” (Galatians 5:15).

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MY COMMENTS:

This, “biting and devouring one another” describes harmful or destructive behavior, particularly in the context of interpersonal relationships within the Christian community such as being consumed by emotions or being destroyed by enemies. Metaphorically, it is to wound the soul, cut, lacerate, rend with reproaches.

This is a sign either of immaturity or more tragically are the actions of the “tares” or “goats” as described in the Bible.

This is truly a stark and deadly warning made in love by the Apostle Paul when he says “I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Ultimately, nothing will justify an ongoing behavior of  “biting and devouring one another”.  Just as Jesus instructs that “if you eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away, for it is better to be without a body part than to spend an eternity in hell”, Paul is instructing us to put this sin away before we find ourselves in the outer darkness, from where this is no return.

Let’s “so far as depends on you, be at peace with all people” (Romans 12:18-19).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT:  CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations such as “do not handle, do not taste, do not touch?”. Colossians 2:20.

PREVIOUS: CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”. Galatians 3:29.

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