In this sex-crazed, wealth-driven, every-man-for-himself culture, temptations to gratify our desires are flung at us constantly. Turning on the television exposes us to allurements of fornication, envy, and selfish ambition, creating desires to follow the cravings of our flesh. The line between Christian works and the works of the flesh is thin indeed, for we have not grown as much as we should, and the tendencies of the flesh still scream at us to satisfy and gratify them. The works of the flesh, as listed in Galatians 5:19-21, are evident: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery (pharmakeia), hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. These are habitual behaviors, often done in rebellion, and even a single unrepented act could bar one from the Kingdom. The term "flesh" comes from the Greek word sarx, meaning literal flesh, but it encompasses all human thought, feelings, desires, and activities apart from God. These are natural, physical, and human tendencies, often uninfluenced by His Spirit. Since the Garden of Eden, generations have turned deaf ears to God, opening themselves to the influence of satan the devil and the cravings of their bodies and minds, walking according to the course of this world. Before being called by God, we were dead in trespasses and sins, living according to human nature only, bearing fruit to death. God must specifically drag us out of this world, as no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws him. Even after being called, we face the daily decision of whether to follow the flesh or the Spirit. We cannot live in both worlds; friendship with the world is enmity with God. The works of the flesh are obvious and easy to spot, often open and ugly, unlike good works which are inner or behind-the-scenes. Yet, overcoming them is not easy. Paul advises in Galatians 5:16 to walk in the Spirit, and we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh and Spirit are contrary, with opposing goals, creating a constant battle within us. If led by the Spirit, we are not under the law's condemnation, as we strive to do good, rendering the law powerless over us when no transgression occurs. Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, a process as intense and agonizing as His sacrifice, requiring hard work, trials, pain, and incredible willpower to stay on the right path. We must mortify our earthly members, putting to death the old man and putting on the new, renewed in knowledge according to His image. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit, ensuring our conduct matches our profession as true Christians. The world, caught up in its pleasures without thought for God, is blindly heading into the future, living by human nature. Their behavior signals Christ's imminent return, as in the days of Noah when all flesh had corrupted their way. We must prepare ourselves, cutting out the works of the flesh to walk in the Spirit, choosing whether we will be taken by God or left behind due to our fleshly works.