Rather Obvious 

[223 words] “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, 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” (Galatians 5:19-21). When I read this passage, I often skip to the list. The behaviors that are ‘no-go’s” for the person wanting to be part of the Kingdom. However, it recently clicked to me that the passage starts with a rather important point. These behaviors are obviously wrong. The word translated either as “evident” or “manifest” originates in the term for shining. It’s akin to the modern phrase “there is a flashing red light” saying NO, BAD, DO NOT DO!  Yet, how many of these behaviors are debated and justified? We try to…