A Simple Take on Paul’s Message and Its Relevance Now
Have you ever had a friend who seemed to be on the right track, only to suddenly take a sharp turn and start believing something totally different? Maybe they started following a new trend or listening to advice from someone who didn’t really have their best interests at heart. That’s exactly the kind of thing Paul was seeing among the Galatians—and why his words still hit home for us today.
What Was Going On?
Paul had traveled to Galatia and told people there about Jesus. His main message was simple: you can’t earn God’s love by following a bunch of rules; it comes through trusting in Jesus. The Galatians believed, experienced joy and freedom, and felt close to God.
But later, some other people showed up and convinced them that believing in Jesus wasn’t enough. They said, “If you really want to be right with God, you have to do all these extra things and keep every religious law.” This idea is called legalism—the belief that doing enough good or religious things makes you acceptable to God.
Paul’s Strong Reaction
When Paul hears this, he’s shocked and upset. In Galatians 3:1, he says, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” He isn’t talking about literal magic, but using the word “bewitched” as a strong way of saying, “How could you be so easily fooled or tricked?” Back then, people thought someone could cast a spell with a look—the “evil eye”—so Paul uses this language to highlight how strangely the Galatians have changed.
Why the Change Was So Serious
Paul wants the Galatians (and us) to remember that the whole point of the Christian message is faith in Jesus—not rule-keeping. He reminds them that when they first believed, they experienced God’s love and the Holy Spirit simply by trusting Jesus, not by following a list of dos and don’ts.
If you swap out faith and put rules in the center, you lose the joy, freedom, and relationship with God that faith brings. That’s why Paul sounds so urgent—he’s trying to wake them up before they drift too far.
Why This Still Matters Now
It’s easy to think this is just ancient history, but the truth is, people today still get “bewitched” by all kinds of ideas—especially the belief that you have to earn approval, whether from God or others, by keeping up with rules, traditions, or appearances. Social media, cultural pressures, or even well-meaning advice can steer us away from the simple truth.
Paul’s message is a reminder not to let anyone convince you that you need to do extra things to make God love you. The heart of Christianity isn’t about jumping through hoops—it’s about trusting that Jesus has already done what’s needed.
The Main Takeaway
In plain language, Galatians 3:1 is Paul telling us, “Don’t let anyone trick you into thinking you need to earn God’s love. Jesus is enough.” If you feel weighed down by expectations or confused by what you’re hearing, remember the freedom and grace you first experienced in faith.
The challenge for today? Keep your eyes on that simple truth, and don’t let anyone—or anything—bewitch you into giving it up.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 