Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Good morning, Reader! I hope and pray that at some point, someone who doesn’t know the Lord Jesus will read one of these posts and realize that they are in need of salvation! It is my highest goal for this blog. I think of the patience of God and His desire for all to come to salvation. (2 Peter 3:9) He doesn’t want to send anyone to Hell / Lake of Fire. After all, that horrid place was not created for man. (Matt. 25:41) But because of man’s rebellion, it will be his destination for all eternity if he remains unrepentant.
Today’s word is “lasciviousness” and it only appears in the New Testament. The meaning of it, as described by Noah Webster, is:
LASCIV’IOUSNESS, n.
- Looseness; irregular indulgence of animal desires; wantonness; lustfulness.
Who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness. Eph 4:19.- Tendency to excite lust, and promote irregular indulgences.
This sin appears to be deeply rooted in the depraved heart.
Eph 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) 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: (19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
The Gentile referred to here are the unbelievers of the world – anyone who is not born-again. Paul had his hands full when he preached in Ephesus. This city was vibrant and was known as the capital of Asia in the first two centuries. They were part of the Greek culture, which had many gods, one of which was Artemis. Her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. She was the goddess of nature, hunting, fertility and childbirth and the most revered of the ancient Greek religion. Tradition has it that she would dance in the wild with a company of nymphs. She is part of the Hellenic practice and pagans still worship her today. One of the ways pagans worship her today is devoting themselves to the protection of wildlife, clean up pollution and help ecological organizations. I find that interesting since much of the world is obsessed with global warming, the green initiative, etc. Paul had his hands full in his day and we still have the same challenges today!
Lasciviousness will keep one from entering Heaven if one does not repent of it. One who has a mouth filled with dirty talk, filthy words, and crude references are considered lascivious. (Col. 3:8) This type of talk comes from a mind filled with lust and sexual desires. They don’t stop there but they pass these thoughts along to others, enticing them to partake as well. It’s like he is plotting a crime, and cunningly attempts to draw others into the same sin. This reveals how the devil manipulates people and sucks them into sin.
Those who are not born again are children of the devil according to 1 John 3:8, 3:10.
I know this may offend some but God’s Word, the Bible, contains truth. People say it is filled with contradictions but they cannot provide anything of substance to prove their point. No other book written had approximately 40 authors but the ultimate Author is God. (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible was written over a 1,500 year span yet it does not have one contradiction whatsoever. Unsaved men and women will be judged by what is recorded in its pages. (John 12:48)
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Born-again Christians are not exempt from the devil’s wiles but we can resist his temptations. (James 4:7) God gives us power over sin when we are saved because His Holy Spirit resides within us. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the whole armour of God so we can stand against the devil. God’s Word is our weapon, Christian. (Hebrews 4:12) Jesus quoted it when He was in the wilderness and Satan was trying to tempt Him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
There will come a time when it will be too late for you to repent. You will remember each opportunity you were given by God to be saved; you will remember each time you laughed it off and ignored it. Please Reader, if you are guilty of this sin, it’s not too late. Repent of it and accept Christ into your life. (Act 16:31, Rom 10:9) I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!
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