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Works Of The Flesh: Lasciviousness

Works Of The Flesh: Lasciviousness

by Dan C. Bailey

 

 

The fourth work of the flesh that is listed in Galatians 5:19-21 is "lasciviousness." Webster in 1828 defined lasciviousness as, "looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness." The word has reference to moral looseness. It is a word used to describe the unlawful and lustful desires of the body or flesh. The Greek word is defined as "unkindled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shame-lessness, insolence." In reference to carnality, it is defined as "filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc." (Thayer, pp. 79-80).

 

It is clear from this definition that all filthy or what we call "dirty" jokes would be lasciviousness. The professional and nonprofessional cheerleaders who dress half naked and who almost constantly move in such a way as to incite lust, would certainly fall into this category. At one time cheerleaders wore respectful clothing and did not engage in the wanton acts of sexual provocation as today.

What some call "petting" is simply lasciviousness. It is the "unchaste handling of males and females." Most all, if not all, of the modern dances are lascivious and licentious. Our society doesn't even blink an eye when a movie comes out called "Dirty Dancing."

     It is so sad and shameful that our nation is so ignorant of God's Word and of purity. Paul wrote in his second epistle to the Corinthians, "For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed" (II Cor. 12:20-21). In describing how the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minds, Paul said, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Ephesians 4:18-19). The wicked deeds committed in Sodom and Gomorrha are described by Peter as "filthy conversation" (or conduct). "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)" (II Peter 2:6-8).

Our society is filled with lasciviousness and unbridled lust. The pornography business makes billions of dollars every year. Hollywood has no sense of shame when it comes to selling movies that please the public. Our young people need to understand that lasciviousness is a sin and therefore, will condemn the soul when engaged in. No doubt, some of the older folks are also in need of this warning. May God help us to be pure in heart, pure in thought, pure in tongue, and pure in our relationships with others.