Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Part 2

Works of the Flesh: Sins of Sensuality

Intro.

1. God’s will for His children is moral purity & holiness – 1 Pet. 1:13-16.

2. Sexual immorality was rampant in Roman empire of the 1^st century & viewed as an accepted way of life. Legalized brothels; Paganism incorporated fornication into its rituals; Little/no shame in illicit sexual relations:

a. On purity: “Chastity is simply a proof of ugliness.” (Seneca, On Benefits, 3.16.1-3; cited in Flesh & Spirit, Barclay, p. 25).

b. On adultery: “Roman women were married to be divorced & were divorced to be married. Some of them distin­guished the years, not by the names of the consuls, but by the names of their husbands.” (Seneca, Ibid.)

c. On homosexuality: “Of the first 15 Emperors, Claudius was the only one whose taste in love was entirely correct.” (Gibbon in Flesh & Spirit, Barclay, p. 26). [Julius Caesar was notoriously the lover of king Nicomedes of Bithynia, while Nero “married” a youth called Sporus & had a marriage procession thru the streets of Rome! (Ibid., p. 27)]

3. America today: Gay marriages; Churches accepting homosexuals & adulterers; Prominent people openly flaunt their sexual improprieties!

4. Gal. 5:19 – “Manifest” today: We must beware!

I. FORNICATION - (immorality, NASV).

A. Definition of “porneia”… “illicit sexual intercourse in general,” (Thayer, 532). General, inclusive term for all sexual immorality.

1. Wrong to say, “adultery is when you’re married; fornication is when you’re single” – cf. Matt. 19:9.

2. Specific kinds of fornication:
a. Adultery (moichao – “to have unlawful intercourse with another’s wife,” Thayer, 417; cf. Rom. 7:2-3). Dishonor of marriage bed (Heb. 13:4). All adultery is fornication, but not all fornication is adultery (it may take other forms: pre-marital, homosexual, bestiality).
b. Homosexuality (arsenokoites – “one who lies with a male as with a female, sodomite, homosexual,” Thayer, 75) – 1 Cor. 6:9 (1 Tim. 1:10).
c. Bestiality – to lie carnally with an animal (Lev. 18:23; Exo. 22:19).
B. Some Characteristics of Fornication:

1. Lustful (heart) – Mk. 7:21; Matt. 5:28 (Prov. 6:24-29).

2. Loveless (not a love affair; innocent pleasures) 1 Ths. 4:6 (Heb. 13:4).

3. Against the body & dishonors it – 1 Cor. 6:13, 15, 18 (1 Ths. 4:3-5).

4. Punished by God – 1 Ths. 4:6 (Heb. 13:4).

C. God Provides Ways of Escape (1 Cor. 10:13):

1. Self-control (Gal. 5:23; 2 Pet. 1:6); Phil. 4:8.

2. Marriage – 1 Cor. 7:2.

3. Rendering of due kindness (affection), 1 Cor. 7:3-5 (Prov. 5:15-20).

4. Flee fornication – 1 Cor. 6:18.

II. UNCLEANNESS - (impurity, NASV).

A. Definition of “akatharsia”… “in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living…used of impure motives in 1 Ths. 2:3” (Thayer, 21).

B. “Uncleanness” is Inclusive:

1. Thought – Gen. 6:5; Prov. 23:7 (motives, desires, etc.).

2. Word – Eph. 5:3-4. Impure speech (vulgarity, profanity, “dirty” jokes, swearing, etc.) is uncleanness.

3. Deed – Eph. 4:19. It can be worked (4:20 – But not Christians!).

4. Ultimately, it is a greedy & selfish act designed to gratify fleshly lusts through impure means. cf. Matt. 5:8 (Pure in heart see God.)

III. LEWDNESS (lasciviousness, ASV; sensuality, NASV).

A. Definition of “aselgeia” … “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence…wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males & females” (Fritzsche), Rom. 13:13” (Thayer, 79f).

B. Lewdness (like fornication & uncleanness) Starts in the Mind.

1. “Unbridled lust” – Mk. 7:21-23; Jas. 1:14-15. Craving something (or someone) you have not right to have.

2. Lewdness is unbridled, unrestrained lust (lasciviousness).

C. Lewdness is Expressed in Shameless & Unrestrained Conduct. (Cf. definitions above) Wanton (indecent) acts/manners…

1. Filthy words – Unrestrained speech.

2. Indecent bodily movements (dancing).

a. Assoc. w/unlawful desires (lust) & shameless conduct. (Moral restraint & modesty do not characterize modern dance, Mk. 6:22)

b. The movements & bodily contact of the modern dance are vulgar & indecent without the accompanying music…as well as with it!

c. It destroys Christian influence.

3. Unchaste handling of males & females - cf. fondling, promiscuity, pre-marital sex; Loss of self-control & lack of self-restraint.

4. Immodest apparel – 1 Tim. 2:9-10. (Shamefastness: Shame that is rooted in one’s character; Sobriety: Sound judgment; Ability to judge between modest & immodest clothing!

5. Pornography, cyber-sex, etc.

6. Yet, lewdness disregards shame & decency!

“The terrible thing about ‘aselgeia’ is that it is the act of a character which has lost that which ought to be its greatest defense -- its self-respect, and its sense of shame.” (Flesh & Spirit, Barclay, p. 33)

D. Christians must Cease Such Thoughts & Practices – 1 Pet. 4:2-4.

1. Practice purity of heart & self-control in conduct (Gal. 5:23-24).

2. Maintain a sense of shame & the ability to differentiate between modest & immodest activity.

Conclusion

1. All forms of sexual immorality are an affront to the holy God & His holy people! – Rom. 1:24-27; Eph. 5:3, 12

2. God’s punishment: Cannot enter heaven – Gal. 5:21.

3. What is the remedy for the sensual sins of the flesh? (Gal. 5:19)

4. 2 Cor. 12:21 (Same 3 words) – Repent & cease such sins (Col. 3:5-8).