Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.—1 Corinthians 6:9,10, NASU [1]

In 1 Corinthians 6:9,10, the apostle Paul lists ten unjust types of individuals which will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul lists these because some of the brethren had previously been practicing these same types of sins, but they were “washed,” “sanctified,” and “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). These types of sins were not to be named among the Corinthian brothers and sisters in Christ.

An outline of fifteen works of our fallen and imperfect flesh is provided by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Christians in Galatia (chapter 5, verses 19-21). Paul tells us that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. The word practice (Strongs #4238, prasso) has the meaning to “perform repeatedly or habitually.” The idea of the sin is put into action. This is not a slip or a mistake, but the mind has conceived the sin and then puts the unjust plan into action on a daily, hourly, or otherwise habitual basis under various conditions.

The apostle Jude spoke of three individuals,Cain, Balaam, and Korah, who pursued an unjust plan of action to satisfy their own cravings (Jude 11). Cain craved God’s acceptance, not in God’s way, but in his own way.

He perceived his brother as an obstacle that prevented his obtaining God’s acceptance. Even after God told him not to think in that direction and he knew it was wrong, he murdered his brother Abel. Balaam craved riches knowing that his counsel to Balak, king of Moab, was against God’s will, for the Israelites were not to take foreign women. To obtain these riches, he told King Balak to cause the men of Israel to sin and thence to receive punish ment from God. Korah craved power and position over God’s chosen representatives.

Each of these knew their actions were in opposition to God’s favored ones: Abel, the children of Israel, and Moses and Aaron. The accounts of these individuals show their willful disobedience to God and the tragic results of putting their unjust plans into action. James describes this process: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (James 1:14,15, NASU)

These three object lessons in Scripture are teaching followers of Christ what not to be, say, or do. The inspired apostles were moved to provide an early warning to the brethren about these sins of the head (thought) and hands (action), stating what can be done to put away such sins, before one is entangled in the practice of any one of them.

Set your mind on the Spirit and not on the (fallen) flesh (Romans 8:5,6). In his letter to the Galatians, Paul takes a proactive approach in teach ing them not to carry out the works of the (fallen) flesh. He says: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16, NASU). The word “walk” describes a repeated process, using one’s feet to advanceby steps.

When walking by the Spirit we are repeatedly or habitually conducting our selves in the same way of sacrifice, righteousness, agape love and godliness. Remember, there are others following closely behind us, watching our steps, and they are counting on us to stay in the narrow way (Matthew 7:14). This way is described by Jesus: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glo rify your Father who is in heaven” (Mat thew 5:16, NASU).

Here are some of these good works in contrast to the works of the flesh:

* Purity in thought and ac tion: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17,18, NASU).

* Faithfulness in one’s consecration to God, and in one’s marriage covenant if married (Romans 12:1,2; 1 Corinthians 7:10,11).

* Putting trust and hope in God (2 Corinthians 1:9).

* Generous and ready to share, giving to the poor (1 Timothy 6:18; Matthew 6:2-4).

* Honest in word and deed (Colossians 3:9,10).

* Putting on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).

* Bearing with one another, and for giving each other (Colossians 3:13, NASU).

* Loving one another and one’s enemies (John 13:34; Luke 6:27).

* Allowing the peace of Christ to rule in your heart Colossians 3:15, NASU).

* Being thankful (Colossians 3:15).

* Teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns while the word of Christ richly dwells within you (Colossians 3:16).

* Sharing the Gospel (Matthew 28:19,20).

What are some of the practical things that can be done to walk in the spirit and cast away sins of the head (in thought) before they be come sins of the hands (in action)?

Upon awaking in the morning, a Christian’s mind should be focused on God. A prayer of thanks can be said silently or out loud. For instance, “Thank you, Father, for your love, the care of the night, and for allowing me to awaken to a new day.”

Develop a personalized morning resolve. For instance: “I will this day try to live a life in trust to God and obedience to his righteous principles in all honesty and purity, repelling any negative or selfish thoughts; making a habit of prayer, speaking and reflecting God’s love as an ambassador of Christ’s kingdom.”

In preparing the mind and attitude for the day, read the Scriptures, read the devotional Manna book and pray to God, asking for his guidance before walking out the door. When listening to the radio on the way to work or other destination, conversing at work or reading the news, look at, listen to, and do thesethings, in accordance with your faith in God and your privilege to follow Jesus’ example in

the narrow way of sacrifice and love for righteousness and hatred of iniquity. (Matthew 7:14; Hebrews 1:9) The verses to the children’s hymn Be Care ful Lit tle Eyes What You

See describe this process in beautiful simplicity: “O be care ful little eyes what you see, little ears what you hear, little hands what you do, little feet where you go, little mouth what you say, There’s a Father up above, and he’s looking down in love, so, be care ful little eyes what you see, little ears what you hear, little hands what you do, little feet here you go, little mouth what you say.”

Pray often and watch for the LORD’s providences through out the day. When interacting with others, the Master’s words should guide our thoughts, words and conduct: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you”

(Luke 6:31, NASU). “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (Matthew 6:1, NASU).

Upon returning home, read and study the Bible; for topical and contextual study, supplement the Bible with Studies in the Scriptures and related helps. Take time to meditate on the Scriptures, pray alone and as a family. Share any gems of Truth you uncover from the Scriptures with your spouse, other family members, and friends. Keep in touch with brethren near and far. Call, visit, e-mail or write those that are isolated, sick, or going through a difficult experience spiritually, emotionally, or physically to encourage them in the race of faith set before us. Keep the Scriptural injunction to do good unto all men as we have opportunity, especially the house hold of faith (Galatians 6:10). Pray before going to sleep for the night to end the day in blessed communion with the LORD.

What does one do when entangled in the practice of any sins of the head and hands? Ask a prayer for deliverance and forgiveness, knowing that only our Father in heaven can deliver us from the evil we drove our selves into. Though, like a loving and gentle earthly father, no matter what hour of the night it is, no matter where his child is, when he receives the call from his child that s/he is in trouble and needs his help and is sorry for the current predicament s/he is in, our heavenly Father rushes to the aid of his child (1 Peter 5:7).

After being delivered, stop and make a list of your spiritual strengths and weaknesses. Write them down, and if you know you are weak in an area where a temptation is too strong for you, then stay far away from that area (see 1 Tim o thy 6:8-11; 1 Corinthians 6:18). You know what roads and neighborhoods you have found to be trouble areas within your own character. Shine the lamp of God’s Word on your path and you won’t stumble or blindly walk into temptation, but will “be content with such things that you have” (Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 13:5).

Another way to look at being entangled in sins is as a city besieged. The enemy army’s general studies the city’s defenses for any vulnerabilities. The Adversary does the same with each Christian’s heart (the mind and will). A Christian is to watch over his or her heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). The enemy finds where our defenses are strong and most powerfully fortified by sending small patrols of doubts or lesser fears that we quickly crush. He continues to scan our perimeter defenses, looking where our walls of faith are not as high or where the gates to our hearts do not have as many watchful sentries (1 Peter 5:8).

When the attack is launched against our faith, using pride, selfishness, or the giant of fear, it is at a time we least expect and the sentries have been lulled to sleep. Temptation is allowed to walk right through the gates of our hearts. As soon as we realize our predica ment, we are to humbly call upon our God in repentance. In changing course, we follow the example of the nation of Israel when they would return to the LORD with all their heart and seek to apply his righteous principles in their lives. When they did, the out come was always the same. The LORD delivered them from their enemies (1 Sam uel 7:3). God sends the needed rein force ments through the memory portals of our minds in the form of sling stones, hard truths of Scripture to knock out the giant of fear and to pulverize any lofty and proud imaginations or ambitions we have created to lift ourselves up or think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (2 Corinthians 10:4,5; Romans 12:3).

We are called to humbly walk the new and living way of life opened by our fore runner and master, Jesus. We are not to walk in our own way, but in thanksgiving, according to the Spirit. A faithful Christian is to have no sympathy for the practice of the deeds of the fallen flesh, but is to put away sins of the head and hands, encouraging our companions to do the same. The new creature is to be faithful to God, watch for his overruling, study the Scriptures, study the life and words of Christ and one’s own conduct, love one another and one’s enemies, bear with one another, for give one another, be thankful, be an example of the believers and pray, lest you (or: when you) enter into temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12).

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1. The abbreviation NASU denotes the New American Standard (Updated) translation of the Bible.