Works of the Flesh -- Uncleanness and Lasciviousness




Uncleanness and lasciviousness conclude a list of the four works of the flesh dealing primarily with moral and sexual purity.

  1. UNCLEANNESS -- from the Greek akathartos = a (opposite) & kathartos (to purify). The word appears 10 times in the NT.
    1. Refers once to physical uncleanness - Matthew 23:37
    2. Most reference identify it with moral impurity:
      1. homosexuality, other sexual sins: Rom 1:24 & 2 Cor 12:21
      2. lasciviousness (lewdness) & covetousness: Ephesians 4:19
      3. list of sexual sins and the opposite of godliness:
        1. Ephesians 5:1-7
          1. v 3 -- "uncleanness" -- "let it not be named among you"
          2. v 5 -- "unclean person . . . has any inheritance in the kingdom of God"
        2. Colossians 3:5 -- among things to be put to death on earth
    3. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 -- possessing one's vessel in honor


  2. LASCIVIOUSNESS
    1. From the Greek aselgeia = a (opposite) & selges (moral strictness).
    2. Also translated as "licentiousness"
    3. Strong's Lexicon -- "shamelessness"
    4. Vine's Dictionary -- "absence of restraint, indecency"
    5. Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon (1889) -- "indecent physical movements, unchaste handling of males and females."
    6. Funk & Wagnall's Dictionary - tending to produce sensual desires
    7. Dancing is condemned as a work of the flesh by the very definition of lasciviousness:
      1. See Judith Lynne Hanna pre-pub article
      2. Does dancing incite lustful thoughts among its participants?
      3. Does dancing serve as a precursor to greater sexual activity?
      4. Matthew 5:28; James 1:13-14


  3. CONCLUSION:
    1. Sexual sins are progressive - one rarely sets out to commit sexual sin. Participation in "minor" things leads to more serious. Young ladies, if you give an inch, be prepared to wage war over the mile.
    2. Sexual sins are addictive - Ephesians 4:19
    3. Sexual impurity can make you its slave - Romans 6:19.
    4. Because of the nature of sexual sins, it is extremely hard to maintain abstinence once the line is crossed.
    5. How to avoid these type of sins:
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:33 -- watch your company
      2. 2 Peter 1:2-11 -- add the "Christian graces" to your life