The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Lasciviousness

Lasciviousness

Lasciviousness - la-siv'-i-us-nes 1.inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man. 2. arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs. 3. indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness: a lascivious gesture.Unbridled Sensuality; Excess Sensuality.

Now if you have a newer version of the Bible. You may not even know what this word is. It's not in there. Example? Mark 7:22–23, Jesus is teaching what defiles a Man, He lists the things that come from his heart which includes lasciviousness. Yet, in the NIV and other newer versions of the Bible, it changes the word " lasciviousness" to the word "lewdness." In the NLT, "lustful desires."

Now in Galatians, Paul writes this..

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness" {Galatians 5:17-19}

Now in the NIV, it reads

"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;"

Do they mean the same thing?

In a sense, yes. Lasciviousness IS lewdness and debauchery. {Excessive indulgence in Sensual Pleasures.} It is Wantonness {sexually immodest or promiscuous. Synonyms: promiscuous, immoral, immodest, indecent, shameless, unchaste, fast, loose, impure, abandoned, lustful, lecherous, lascivious, libidinous, licentious, dissolute, debauched, degenerate, corrupt, whorish, disreputable}

Remember that story I told you about, the two young girls, wearing what I have been told is Band-aid Shorts? Their bare Buttocks on total display, with their {assuming} Father, walking behind them? He had to clearly see that their bare Bottoms where totally visible to everyone. But, let's leave him aside. Here are two beautiful young, and I mean young, young girls showing EVERYONE their Backsides.

We talked about this other new trend that I have see growing. Girls, all ages, going Bra-less. In some cases, they are also wearing completely see through shirts, or shirts that clearly show "Side Boob." In some cases, they are wearing both. Band-aid Shorts, and revealing Tops.

Now what happens when some Men see them? Yup. They start to Fantasize. They start to play that movie projector of the Mind. Some, if they are not self controlled, may even turn violent towards some of these girls. Why? In their head, they justify it. "Hey, she is showing me everything. She must be into it." Now do not get me wrong here. Am I blaming victims of Rape? Of course not. I'm simply stating fact. This is the way MANY Violent Offenders attempt to justify their actions.

However, I do have a question. Let's get real here. Let's tell the truth. If you do not want someone looking at you, why do you dress the way you do? Seriously. You cannot get offended if you are putting everything on display, if someone notices you have everything on display. I remember a Court Case with a Famous Actress who was attempting to Sue someone for taking their picture and posting the Picture for all to see.

The Judge threw out the Case. Why? Because the Actress was at a NUDE BEACH. She was out there walking around for ALL to see. Yet she got mad that someone took her picture. Here is a tip, if you do not want people starting at your naked or somewhat naked body, uh, COVER UP!! Do not go out in public naked..

It is not just for your own well being, but by you going out in public in the manor that you are, you are, "arousing sexual desire." One of the very definitions of Lasciviousness. Not only are you guilty of being "sexually immodest or promiscuous," but also " indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness."

It's NOT just Style. It's NOT just Trends. It IS Sin. It is dangerous. It IS Lasciviousness. It IS a Poisonous Fruit of the Flesh.

Paul warns us in his letter to the Romans...

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." {Romans 8:5-8}

A little later..

"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." {Romans 13:13-14}

Paul even tells us how to do this in his letter to "God's holy people in Colossae"

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." {Colossians 3:2-4}

See, you have to set your Mind on God. Set your Mind on His Word. Pray, read His Word, exercise your Faith. Just like we go to the gym to workout our bodies, to make them look good, and to give us more strength, and better health, we need to exercise our Spirits. Your Faith will grow stronger in time.

One of the problems we have with understanding Righteous Dress, or abstaining from Lasciviousness, is some of our Churches have stopped teaching these things. They are open to allowing our people, even our Children, to do whatever they will. Some, not only accept it, they justify it.

Peter, when writing about False Teachers, he wrote in 2 Peter 2,

"Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute."

And

"For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error."

When Peter, speaking to us, Children of God, He says this..

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" {1 Peter 4:1-4}

Again, it doesn't matter what Religion says. Some of our Churches are even accepting, and worse Justifying, Homosexuality. It does not matter what Man says. It does not matter what the trend is. It does not matter what year it is. All that should matter to you, as a Child of God, is what GOD says.

Once again, for your own protection and well being, to ensure that you are not being "sexually immodest or promiscuous," or " indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness," simply look in the mirror BEFORE you go out. Pray to God even if you need to and ASK Him, "does this look OK?" It really is not difficult to understand. Just be modest. Also remember this, if you do not want people starting at your naked or somewhat naked body, uh, COVER UP!! Do not go out in public naked..

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..