LEWDNESS


The definition of lewd is filthy, indecent, sensual, suggestive and vulgar.

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 1 Peter 2:11

The word lewdness has synonyms. These synonyms are lascivious and licentious.



The most negative of all the words that refers to possessing or causing sensual desires is the word lewd. There are many other words that imply this form of behavior. One of the oldest words in the English language is lewd, dating back from at least the year 900.

For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever 1 John 2:16-17

The Blessed Lord wants us to flee evil. Sadly, there are those who dabble in questionable behaviors. This dabbling leads to habitual sinning. First, a person so inclined will do the sin in private. Soon, he or she does not care who knows or who is hurt.

1 Corinthians 6:13

Mankind began giving glory to idols instead of glorifying God. You would think after mankind was made aware of the tragic consequences and began to feel the effects, people would repent and seek the Lord.

But they did just the opposite, leaving God. Since God has no part with sin, mankind became worse. They did not want to learn and obey God, so He gave them over to a depraved mind. This meant they were unable to form good judgements, and instead of just performing these malicious behaviors, they were encouraging others to do the same.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. Isaiah 9:1-2

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 1 Corinthians 15:50

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse Romans 1:20

LASCIVIOUS

The word lascivious is many times used in the legal description of actions that are criminal or of a sensual nature.

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6

Colossians 3:5

LICENTIOUS

The word licentious refers to lewd behavior. Our Holy Lord tells us in the Bible that marital relations should occur inside of marriage. The marriage is between husband and wife. These sensual relations should never happen outside of marriage. It is not God's plan for it to ever happen outside of marriage.

Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

Ephesians 5:5

God gives us a direct charge; we are told not to engage in these behaviors. This form of conduct includes wild parties, adultery or any form of immoral living.

A tendency that is as evil as it can be is evil-mindedness. The evil-minded person is someone who looks at all times for the worst in others and then passes on the worst about this person. He or she wants to injure others. This injury could be to someone's standing in the community, or their body, mind, and spirit. Their sinful nature is so great they are bursting with evil, and they wreck others by word or by brutality.

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 2 Timothy 3:2-4

Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. Matthew 13:24-36

The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. Matthew 13:38

What a terrible thing to follow after the Devil. The devil is called the evil one and the tempter. He is the father of lies and wants to lead us away from God.

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread Matthew 4:3

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:42

A main distinctive element of this ungodly behavior is open and brazen immodesty. This would mean someone having unrestricted evil thoughts and behaviors. Remember, a person who has sinned to such a degree cares less about who is aware of what they are doing. They have abandoned the Lord and are living a life of sin.

And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. Acts 8:14

Our Magnificent Lord will bless those Christians who refrain from becoming involved with any malicious behavior. We see how our conduct through life should be pure and wholesome. That is the behavior the Lord wants us to possess. When God created the world and formed mankind, he placed mankind on this earth to glorify Him. How can we live our lives in such an ungodly manner? We have Christ Jesus as our supreme example.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “ Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” 1 Peter 2:21-22

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11-12

Should we participate in these behaviors? The Lord tells us what is in store for those who choose to do so, and He tells us what is in store for those Christians who abandon Him and engage in such activities. Our conduct needs at all times to be that which is becoming to a child of God. When we have such a glorious blessing in store for faithful Christians, why would we engage in these behaviors knowing the consequences? The soul is in jeopardy. The reward awaiting faithful Christians is HEAVEN.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world": Matthew 25:34

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:
1. What is the most negative word referring to immodest behavior?
2. Discuss why God cannot have any part in sin.
3. Who is our Supreme Example?
4. Give an example of Satan as the father of lies.
5. What is the reward God has awaiting those faithful Christians who do not practice immoral behavior?

Other verses containing the word lewdness or lewd



Ezekiel 16:27, Judges 20:6, Hosea 6:9 , 1 Peter 4:3 , Mark 7:21-23
1 Corinthians 6:9-11


Copyright 2008 Linda Lawrence