Lasciviousness is a term used in the Bible to describe a form of behavior that is characterized by lewdness, lustfulness, and a lack of moral restraint. It is often associated with sexual immorality and is considered a work of the flesh that is contrary to the will of God. The term is derived from the Greek word "aselgeia," which conveys the idea of unbridled lust and excess.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." In this passage, lasciviousness is translated as "debauchery" and is listed among the works of the flesh that are opposed to the fruit of the Spirit.

2. Ephesians 4:19 : "Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more." Here, lasciviousness is rendered as "sensuality," indicating a surrender to impure desires and a continual pursuit of sinful pleasures.

3. 2 Peter 2:2 : "Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed." The term "depravity" in this context is synonymous with lasciviousness, highlighting the corrupting influence of such behavior on both individuals and the broader community.

4. Mark 7:21-22 : "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness." Jesus lists "debauchery" as one of the evils that originate from the human heart, emphasizing the internal nature of lasciviousness as a heart issue.

Theological Implications:

Lasciviousness is viewed as a serious sin in the Christian tradition because it represents a willful rejection of God's standards for purity and holiness. It is an expression of the sinful nature that seeks to gratify the desires of the flesh without regard for the consequences or the commands of God. The presence of lasciviousness in one's life is seen as evidence of a heart that is not fully surrendered to the Lord.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral and ethical standpoint, lasciviousness is condemned because it undermines the sanctity of human relationships and the dignity of individuals. It often leads to the objectification of others and the breakdown of societal norms that are intended to protect the vulnerable and maintain order. Christians are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, avoiding behaviors that are lascivious and instead pursuing righteousness and self-control.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to guard their hearts and minds against lasciviousness by cultivating a close relationship with God through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and fellowship with other believers. The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to overcome the desires of the flesh and to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. By walking in the Spirit, believers can resist the temptations of lasciviousness and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.LASCIVIOUSNESS

la-siv'-i-us-nes (aselgeia, "licentiousness," "wantonness," "unbridled lust," "shamelessness," "outrageousness"):

1. Sources:

Etymologists assign three probable sources of aselgeia, namely:

(1) from a compound of the alpha privitive (negation) and Selge, a Pisidian city whose inhabitants according to Thayer (New Testament Lexicon) "excelled in strictness of morals," but, according to Trench, a place whose people "were infamous for their vices";

(2) from a compound of "a" intense, and salagein, "to raise a disturbance or noise";

(3) from a compound of the alpha privitive a- and selgo, or thelgo, "exciting disgust or displeasure." It evidently means conduct and character that is unbecoming, indecent, unrestrainedly shameless.

2. As Used in the New Testament:

Mark uses it in 7:22 with uncertainty as to the vice meant. Paul (2 Corinthians 12:21) classes it with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of; also (Galatians 5:19; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 14:26, "wantonness") puts it in the same catalogue with other works of the flesh; and (Ephesians 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 Romans 13:13, meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. Peter (1 Peter 4:3) mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." He speaks (2 Peter 2:2) of "lascivious doings" (the King James Version "pernicious ways"); (2 Peter 2:7) "lascivious life" (the King James Version "filthy conversation"); and (2 Peter 2:18) of "lasciviousness" (the King James Version "wantonness"), as a means "to entice in the lusts of the flesh." Jude 1:4 probably does not refer to any form of sensuality in using the word descriptive of "ungodly men" who perverted the faith of some and denied our only Master.

William Edward Raffety

766. aselgeia -- licentiousness, wantonness
... 1), sensual (1), sensuality (8). filth, lasciviousness, debauchery. From
a compound of a (as a negative particle) and a presumed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/766.htm - 7k

Whether Six Species are Fittingly Assigned to Lust?
... humble me among you, and I mourn many of them /that sinned before, and have not
done penance for the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness that they ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether six species are fittingly.htm

V. ...
... of the flesh are carefully recounted, one after another, in Paul's Epistle to the
Galatians 5. not only the gross carnal works, as lasciviousness, but also the ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iv v .htm

Ephesians iv. 17-19
... God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their
heart: who being past feeling, gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work ...
/.../homily xiii ephesians iv 17-19.htm

Consistency of the Apostle in his Other Epistles.
... they all keep guard in defence of modesty, of chastity, of sanctity; they all aim
their missiles against the interests of luxury, and lasciviousness, and lust. ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xvii consistency of the apostle.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

All Association with Idols is to be Avoided.
... A Moral Admonition, that We are to Abstain from Vain Talking, Obscene Talking,
Jesting, Drunkenness, Lasciviousness, and Luxury. ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii all association with idols.htm

Of Carnal Life, which is to be Understood not Only of Living in ...
... Galatians, in which he says, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of carnal life which.htm

Whether the Unnatural vice is a Species of Lust?
... with the other species of lust (2:Cor.12:21) where we read: "And have not done penance
for the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness," where a gloss ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the unnatural vice is.htm

For There were Even in the Apostles' Times Some who Preached the ...
... Why then do we not rout out heretics, in order to their being caught, by the flesh
committing lasciviousness in adultery, and yet think right to rout them out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 16 for there were.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... he counselled the king to make them unclean in God's sight by sending the daughters
of Moab among them, who not only led them into lasciviousness, but invited ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LASCIVIOUSNESS. la-siv'-i-us-nes (aselgeia,
"licentiousness," "wantonness," "unbridled lust," "shamelessness ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed
concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they ...
/w/whoredom.htm - 24k

Impious (19 Occurrences)
... them'; (YLT). 2 Peter 2:7 and righteous Lot, worn down by the conduct in
lasciviousness of the impious, He did rescue, (YLT). 2 Peter ...
/i/impious.htm - 11k

Revellings (2 Occurrences)
... worship is in point); 2 Maccabees 6:4; Galatians 5:21 1 Peter 4:3. In Galatians
5:21 it is classed with fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, etc., as one ...
/r/revellings.htm - 8k

Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/fornication.htm - 24k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... 2. Perverters of Grace and Deniers of Christ. "Turning the grace of our God into
lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4 ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Unsatisfied (3 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:19 who having cast off all feeling, have given themselves up to
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greedy unsatisfied lust. (DBY). ...
/u/unsatisfied.htm - 7k

Unhallowed (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:3 For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the
Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings ...
/u/unhallowed.htm - 7k

Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation:
ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying ...
/u/ungodly.htm - 18k

Unawares (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/u/unawares.htm - 10k

What is lasciviousness? | GotQuestions.org

Sexual Sin ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Sin (All) | GotQuestions.org

Lasciviousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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