[size=08pt]2 Corinthians 12:21
"And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."
Galatians 5:19
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,..."
Ephesians 4:19
"Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."
1 Peter 4:3
"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:"
Jude 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."[/size]
What is lasciviousness?
According to Webster's dictionary it means, "Loose, wanton, lewd, lustful, irregular indulgence of animal desires, tendency to excite lust and promote irregular indulgences."
According to the Barnhart and Thorndike dictionary it is simply defined, "feeling lust, showing lust, causing lust."
It is quite amazing how the church of today has failed to address such biblical matters such as this and in between services wonder why we're dealing with "issues" amongst members. Now I know this isn't going to rub some folk in here right, but the word is the word and I do not apologize for it. Problem is, the modern church reluctantly addresses sin in and out of the church, as it feels that it has become a "turn-off" to gaining large numbers or parishoners going home with upset stomachs. Be that as it may, the bible tells us to "cry loud, spare not" and I for one shall adhere to the call.
Why LASCIVIOUSNESS you ask?? Because it so prevalent within the church till its sickening and weight of it is so heavy within our society that it is viewed as the norm. It not applies to those things of the sexual nature that we hold to be the "heavy weights" of sin, but other little things that we seem to find pleasure in that is just as ungodly. To live your life where you have to indulge in something that you so heavily desire(crave) and are pressed to fulfil is sinful and lascivious. Most baffling is the attitude that many take as they live lascivious lifestyles and come into church without a hint of guilt, remorse or regret. Ushering in worshipers after clubbing and drinking all night, trying to help dress a soul for baptism after undressing a man/ woman (not your spouse) the night before, singing in the choir with smoke from a cigarette you smoked on the way to church still in your lungs.... Lord Help!!
The Lord IS NOT a joke, and because he don't execute judgement on us expediantly, we constantly frustrate the grace of God. People, the Lord want folk that are clean and holy... people that will walk uprightly before him with their heads held high and guiltless. Problem is, if the annointing and power of God was in these churches the way it should be, a lot of this mess we see (and don't) wouldn't be going on. Like I said before, maybe we should go back to the OT rope and bell days... after dragging enough bodies out of the Temple, folk will start straightening up.
Be blessed...
Oh yeah, y'all wanted me back... you better believe I'M BACK!!!!
