Galatians 5:7

Ye did run well: who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

1. Fault Finding the Preacher. Gal. 1: [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
   [11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

Examples: Moses in the wilderness, growth hinders when you start fault finding man of God.

1. Followed after False Doctrine. Gal. 2: [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. A doctrine of works, even strong brothers such as Peter and Barnabas got caught up in this. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine….

1. Fooled by Distractions. Gal. 3:1 [1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
   1. Other People will Distract You and Hinder Your Growth- who hath bewitched you
   2. Outside Problems will Distract You and Hinder Your Growth
   3. Our Love For Pleasures- 2 Tim. 3:4

1. False Discernment. Gal. 3:3 [3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Genesis 27: 22-23 22And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him

Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1. A. Test all things by Word of God
2. B. Thanksgiving- I Thess. 5:18 In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus Concerning You.
3. C. Try/scrutinize the Spirit behind it- I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the World.

1. Fruits of the Flesh are manifest. Gal. 5: 19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
   [20] Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
   [21] Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Verse 19- Sexual impurity, filthy mouth, filthy habits, perverted hearts, perverted talk

Verse 20- Idolatry- God not number 1

Witchcraft- substance abuse

Hatred- hateful attitude

Variance- contentious, debate

Emulations- zealous, fierce in contention

Wrath- passionate anger, like a boiling pot

Strife- a desire to put oneself forward, like an election

Seditions- division, disunity

Heresies- tears, men following sects or tears

Verse 21 envyings- spiteful jealousy

Murders- slaughter

Drunkenness- intoxication

Revellings- letting loose, as a drunken party

1. Faint Not because of Hindered Growth- Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
   1. Find time to Help a Fallen brother verses 1 through 5
   2. Fellowship with others taught in all honorable things verse 6
   3. Fooled about the consequences of the flesh verses 7 and 8
   4. Family of faith needs our help and work. Verse 10
   5. Forbidden from glorying in yourself and glory in Christ!