Works of the Flesh

Works of the flesh or dead works are actions that seem outwardly good but are driven by impure motives or performed for the wrong reasons. In God's eyes, they are like filthy garments. It’s like receiving a perfect apple from someone with leprosy. Though the apple itself may be fine, it's tainted by the leprous hand that offers it. Similarly, when we present good works to God but with impure motives, those works are contaminated. For instance, if you pray or sing a solo in a Christian meeting seeking personal recognition rather than God’s glory, is that truly a good work? No—it is a dead work.

It's crucial to grasp this concept. While many believers know that "The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins" (1 John 1:7), fewer understand that "The blood of Christ must also cleanse us from dead works before we can serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14). So, what does the blood of Christ cleanse us from? Not just sins, but dead works too. That’s why it’s essential to have a clear understanding of what dead works are.

One major aspect of dead works is performing tasks without joy. These are actions done out of obligation, fear of punishment, or necessity. For example, think of a child who reluctantly does his homework only because he's threatened with punishment. Though the homework itself is good, it's done grudgingly, without joy. In a similar way, many people pay their tithe not out of joy, but out of fear—fear that if they don’t, they’ll face some kind of misfortune. They give not out of love or faith, but out of compulsion.