👉 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.
Explanation:
Okay, letâs break down this verse from Galatians 5:21. Itâs a really important warning about something that can derail our lives and prevent us from achieving Godâs purpose.
Here's what it means in simpler terms:
The Core Message:
This verse is saying that
negative emotions â envy, bitterness, excessive celebration, and harmful behaviors â are
obstacles
to entering the kingdom of God.
Itâs not just about being unhappy; itâs about actively pursuing things that
prevent
us from living a life pleasing to God.
Let's unpack each part:
"Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:"
These are all kinds of negative emotions â feelings of resentment, dissatisfaction with others, excessive joy, and celebratory behaviors that are driven by something
wrong
. Think of it as a poison that corrodes our spirit. "Revellings" is a key word here - it means rejoicing or celebrating in a way thatâs not holy.
âof which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time pastâŚâ
This is where the verse gets a little more direct â it's a reminder of a previous warning. Itâs like saying âYouâve heard this before, and itâs important to understand.â
âthat they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.â
This is the
big
point. The kingdom of God is God's perfect and glorious realm â a place of peace, joy, and connection with Him. But this verse says that those who are consumed by these negative emotions
cannot
enter into that kingdom. Itâs like trying to build a house on sand â it will always crumble.
In short:
The verse warns us against pursuing things that distract us from God's purpose, and it suggests that these behaviors actively
prevent
us from achieving the life of righteousness and happiness that God offers.
What does this mean for
us
?
It means we need to be mindful of our thoughts, feelings, and actions â we need to cultivate a heart filled with love, gratitude, and peace, rather than resentment, selfishness, or excessive joy.
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Would you like me to:
Explain any of these concepts in more detail?
Give you some examples of things that can lead to these negative emotions?
Provide further context about the historical background of this verse?