Jumpstarter 1 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 1

In Galatians 5:19–21, Paul lists “enmities, strife, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” alongside adultery, idolatry, and sorcery—what does that grouping reveal about God’s moral seriousness, and what does it expose about what modern “serious Bible-believing” Christians tend to excuse as normal church life?

Another way to ask: In Galatians 5:19–21, why does Paul list fighting and division next to sins like adultery and idolatry? What does that say about what “serious Bible-believing” Christians often treat as normal in church?

Direct Answer Based on David Bercot’s teaching, the grouping shows God treats divisive, argumentative church behavior as seriously as “obvious” sins, and it exposes how modern “serious Bible-believing” Christians excuse conflict and division as normal—even righteous—church life.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot reads Galatians 5 and highlights that Paul lists “enmities, strife, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” and then warns “those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
He uses irony to expose our mindset: “We all know you can’t have a godly church without those things… You have to dispute error… break off and start a new church.”
He says that even if we wouldn’t say it out loud, “it’s really the way that most serious-minded Bible-believing Christians behave.”
He insists God “puts them in the same category as immorality… sorcery… idolatry,” and we are “blind” when we think God “doesn’t really mean” that section.
He concludes: practicing these things makes us “no better off than someone practicing witchcraft… worships idols… living in adultery.”

Discussion Follow-ups What kinds of conflict do you most quickly justify as “necessary,” and how would your church decisions change if Galatians 5 carried the same weight as sexual sin?

Jumpstarter 1 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 1 of 10