Bewitched - October 27

Read Galatians 3:1-2

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Reflect

How does a person receive the Holy Spirit? What is the correct relationship between works of the law and faith?

The world is full of people who are tragically deceived. They are “bewitched.” Many of us probably know someone who we once thought was a believer in Christ but who has bought into ideas and lifestyle choices that are not consistent with Christian teaching. It leaves us wondering, Who bewitched you? How did they convince you to believe a lie when you once knew and professed the truth? And why would anyone be so foolish as to trade the truth of God for a lie?

That is what the apostle Paul is saying in today’s verses. To review, we’ve studied that the Judaizers were spreading false teachings that the Gentiles were supposed to convert to Judaism and follow Jewish law, especially circumcision, in order to be saved by Christ. They were mixing works of the law with hearing the Gospel and responding in faith. Instead of preaching that people are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, they were adding human effort to the equation.

But why would anyone in their right minds trade a work of God for the works of man? According to the true Gospel, we have great news! Jesus was publicly crucified. He died and was buried. He rose from the dead and appeared in flesh to hundreds of people! We don’t have to do anything in order to be saved except believe the evidence that Jesus died in our place for our sin. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). The Good News of the truth is before our eyes!

There are many false religions and belief systems that teach the same lie the Judaizers taught, albeit packaged differently. That lie is that Jesus’ death on the cross doesn’t truly save us so we have to work hard to save ourselves. But that isn’t good news, that is bad news! I mean, how will we ever know if we’ve done enough? What if we die before our good works outweigh our bad works? Who defines what is a good work and what is a bad work? There is no comfort, assurance, or peace in a gospel defined by human works and efforts. But there is peace and rest in knowing that Jesus accomplished our salvation for us on the cross. It is finished (John 19:30).

So we know that we are saved by God’s grace when we place our faith in Christ. Does that mean that we can do whatever we want once we believe in Jesus because He’ll just continue to forgive us no matter what? Can we continue to sin? Do we have to obey the Lord?

Paul answered this question for us in Romans 6:1-2: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!” That is where the Holy Spirit helps us. Peter told us in Acts 2:38 that we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we receive Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. When we get to Galatians 5, Paul will unpack the importance of walking by the Spirit in obedience to Christ rather than gratifying the desires of the flesh.

So yes, we need to live obedient lives. But our works do not save us. We don’t receive the Holy Spirit because we act right and follow the law. We receive His Spirit by His grace through faith and we live transformed lives because of His Spirit.

What lies and distortions of the Gospel have you heard lately? Don’t be bewitched! There is nothing more foolish than denying the evidence right before your eyes and exchanging the truth of God for a lie.

Respond

Lord, thank You for the free gift of Your Holy Spirit. May I never think that I have received grace and favor with You because I did anything to earn it. I was only given Your Spirit by Your grace. Please continue to strengthen my faith in You and transform my life by Your Spirit, Lord. Amen.

Reply

This week, look for someone who seems weighed down—maybe a coworker, friend, or neighbor who’s constantly trying to “keep it all together” or prove themselves. Instead of offering advice or quick fixes, share a moment of honest empathy. You might say something like, “I know what it’s like to feel like you have to do everything right—it’s exhausting.” Then, remind them gently that sometimes it’s okay to stop striving and rest. Offer to grab coffee or take a walk together, and just listen. When you create space for someone to feel safe without needing to perform, you quietly mirror the grace of God—grace that doesn’t demand they be perfect, only that they be loved.