Repent or Perish: Lasciviousness

Lasciviousness is simply lust. The word lasciviousness is used in the King James Version of the Bible. Other translations such as NASB, ESV and New King James Version translate the original Greek word as indecent behavior, sensuality, and lewdness. In all translations, this work of the flesh has to do primarily with sexual lust and behavior in particular. 

The Greek word for lasciviousness is aselgeia (pronounced as-elg'-i-a) and is defined by Thayer's Greek Definitions as  unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness. Let's look into each of these definitions to better understand where this word is coming from.

Unbridled lust -  Unbridled means to not have control or to be constrained. Lust means to have a very strong, intense, or overwhelming sexual desire. So to have unbridled lust is to have uncontrollable/unconstrained sexual desire toward someone.

Excess - Immoderate indulgence

Licentiousness - Lacking legal or moral restraints, especially disregarding sexual restraints

Wantonness - Wanton has several definitions, however what is applicable here is being without check or limitation and being lewd (sexually unchaste or licentious)

Outrageousness - Exceeding the limits of what is usual

Shamelessness - To have shame is to have a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. To to be shameless is the opposite of the above.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) in part says the following regarding lasciviousness:

Mark uses it in Mark 7:22 with uncertainty as to the vice meant. Paul (2Cor 12:21) classes it with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of; also (Gal 5:19; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 14:26, “wantonness”) puts it in the same catalogue with other works of the flesh; and (Eph 4:19) he refers to some aged ones so covetous, that they made trade of themselves by giving “themselves up to lasciviousness.” The same word is translated “wantonness” in Rom 13:13, meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. Peter (1Pe 4:3) mentions those who “walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries.” He speaks (2Pe 2:2) of “lascivious doings” (the King James Version “pernicious ways”); (2Pe 2:7) “lascivious life” (the King James Version “filthy conversation”); and (2Pe 2:18) of “lasciviousness” (the King James Version “wantonness”), as a means “to entice in the lusts of the flesh.” 

Satan in this world tempts people to be "sexy" and seek sexual pleasures outside of God's will. These temptations can come through sexually explicit media, movies, television, books and outright pornographic material. The sin of lasciviousness encourages a person to seek self-pleasure of their body and to live in a way that is not pleasing to the Lord. 

As God's people though, Christians are called to live with virtue and be holy as God is holy (I Peter 1:15-16). Christians are to fill their minds with things that are good to think on (Philippians 4:8), contrary to what the world wants people to think on. We as Christians are to treat our bodies as the temple of God as Paul said in I Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" and in I Corinthians 6:19, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" You see, our bodies are to be used in a God honoring way because as a Christian the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our bodies and leads us to paths of righteousness.

God is so merciful and gracious! If someone has committed the sin of lasciviousness, God is able to forgive the repentant heart from this work of the flesh. May God restore you today and keep you from Satan's grasp!