Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Greek proverb: As rust corrupts iron, so envy corrupts man.

Dwight L. Moody once told the fable of an eagle that was envious of another that could fly better than he could. One day the bird saw a sportsman with a bow and arrow and said to him, "I wish you would bring down that eagle up there." The man said he would if he had some feathers for his arrow. So the jealous eagle pulled one out of his wing. The arrow was shot, but it didn't quite reach the rival bird because he was flying too high. The first eagle pulled out another feather, then another--until he had lost so many that he himself couldn't fly. The archer took advantage of the situation, turned around, and killed the helpless bird. Moody made this application: if you are envious of others, the one you will hurt the most by your actions will be yourself. (Source Unknown)

From the above illustration we can see that envy truly hurts oneself. To envy another is to tell God that we are not satisfied with what He has provided for us.  Pride fullness is to tell God He isn’t sufficient or fair or providing for us in the way we think He should.

There is a distinction between jealousy and envy. To envy is to want something which belongs to another person. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house, his wife or his servant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor." In contrast, jealousy is the fear that something which we possess will be taken away by another person. Although jealousy can apply to our jobs, our possessions, or our reputations, the word more often refers to anxiety which comes when we are afraid that the affections of a loved one might be lost to a rival. We fear that our mates, or perhaps our children, will be lured away by some other person who, when compared to us, seems to be more attractive, capable and successful. 
Dr. Gary Collins, in Homemade, July, 1985.
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James 3 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
 
Webster’s Dictionary: Envy: "a feeling of antagonism towards someone because of some good which he is enjoying but which one does not have oneself || a coveting for oneself of the good which someone else is enjoying…"

Vine’s: "envy, is the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others; this evil sense always attaches to this word…envy desires to deprive another of what he has,”

Dr. Gary Collins (Homemade, July, 1985): To envy is to want something which belongs to another person.

In other words…ENVY is saying… "I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it"!!!
 
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)  "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
 
When you feel , "I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it" resist it, say instead "I like what you’ve got, I want it, but I LOVE GOD MORE - GET AWAY FROM ME SATAN, IN JESUS NAME"

​Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Heresies is defined as a belief or opinion that does not agree with the official belief or opinion of a particular religion.
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Heresy is from a Greek word signifying a choice, the opinion chosen, and the sect holding the opinion.
 
Paul ranks "heresies" with crimes and seditions as we have seen through our entire series Works of the Flesh.
 
This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the church. The American church is not exempt from this work of the flesh. When we find ourselves at odds with what is being preached we are not to spread our opinions and corrupt others but search out the truth in the word of God and then go directly to leadership and discuss the issue and pray and resolve to come into agreement. If we cannot then we must leave and not take others with us when we go.
 
In Titus 3:10 a "heretical person" is one who follows his own self-willed "questions," and who is to be avoided. Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God.
 
2 Peter 2:1 (NIV) “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.”
 
The decision then is up to each individual.  We must choose to study the truth and once we know the truth we must uphold the truth each day of our life not only for us individuals but also for those who come after us. God will hold us responsible for the truth we know. The Bible encourages us to study so we will know the truth.
 
John 8:32 (KJV) “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
 
1 John 4:1-6 (KJV) “4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
 
As the days grow darker we must know God and His word.  His word is that truth will set us free.

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We have already discussed Strife and its many forms so I want to focus on Seditions.

The simple definition of Sedition is the crime of saying, writing, or doing something that encourages people to disobey their government.  It is subtle. They talk about leaders behind the leaders back for the purpose of over throwing the leader and it is in the church today.  It is a criminal act before God and in the Old Testament people were killed for this.  It is what Satan did against God.

SEDI''TION, n. L. seditio. The sense of this word is the contrary of that which is naturally deducible from sedo, or sedeo, denoting a rising or raging, rather than an appeasing. But to set is really to throw down, to drive, and sedition may be a setting or rushing together.A factious commotion of the people, a tumultuous assembly of men rising in opposition to law or the administration of justice, and in disturbance of the public peace. Sedition is a rising or commotion of less extent than an insurrection, and both are less than rebellion; but some kinds of sedition, in Great Britain, amount to high treason. In general, sedition is a local or limited insurrection in opposition to civil authority, as mutiny is to military.

An example of a sedition in the Bible is Korah.

Here are some scriptures concerning Seditions:

Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

Luke 23:19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
 
Luke 23:25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
 
Here is a great teaching by Guillermo Maldonado if you have time is worth your investment:  http://kingjesusministry.org/how-to-deal-with-rebellion-and-sedition/   

Here is his Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/apostlegm/?fref=photo

Here are Apostle Guillermo Maldonado’s notes from his web site:
 
What is rebellion?
The word “rebellion” is avon in Hebrew, which means inequity; rebellion and all its consequences. One of the signs of the end times is the increase of inequity and rebellion. Rebellion is a public action that you can physically see be done. Everywhere you go you will see rebellion; in the church, outside of church, etc…
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. –Matthew 24:12-14
Lawlessness is another word for inequity. It means without law, someone who does not want to be governed and refuses to do so.

What is sedition?
The word “sedition” is defined as actions or words intended to lead or encourage the overthrow of a person, group or state. Sedition in the bible is classified as a criminal act that undermines the set authority placed by God and seeking to overthrow it. You will not see sedition publicly because it is subtle; it hides within the people that walk around the leader or the person placed by God.
Everywhere you go God has set an authority figure or a head. If you speak ill about that authority that God has placed then you are rebelling against God.
Origin of rebellion:
In which in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. -Ephesians 2:2
1. Satan
Rebellion began with Satan in the pre-adamic age, when he rebelled against God and took one-third of the angels.
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to be delivered, to devour her child as soon as it was born. -Revelation 12:3-4
2. Adam and Eve
Rebellion was carried down to each person after Adam and Eve received the spirit of rebellion in the beginning.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
–Psalm 51:5
Two natures
Today, no one wants to be under authority because it is a part of our nature.
There will be two men inside of you fighting to have control. One is called the old man and the other is the new man. The old man wants to do the old things and think the old way.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I know not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. –Romans 7:14-15
On one side you want to do something but the other pushed you to do something else.
1. The Old Man
If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former way of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.  -Ephesians 4:21-22
Satan sent the serpent to the woman, Eve, as a way to get around the head, Adam, to get to the head. The old man is the result of the deception, corruption and the loss of Satan. The moment that Adam believed the lie and ate the forbidden fruit was the moment that the old man came to be.
The old man is referred to as the flesh, the ego and the nature of sin. All of this becomes to be one word: rebellion.
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in sorrow you shall bring forth children; and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you.  -Genesis 3:15-16
2. New Man
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
 -Ephesians 4:23-24
The new man is the result of the truth, holiness and righteousness.
Consequences of rebellion and sedition:
Regardless of how good you have been, rebellion runs through you. For example, if you lived all your life on earth without committing any sin, you will still go to hell because in your nature is the seed of rebellion.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. –Isaiah 53:5-6
The essence of rebellion remains in the desire of a person who wants to govern his or her self.
For that which I do I know not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. –Romans 7:15
Ask yourself, how much of Jesus do you have inside of you and how much of yourself?
Steps to be set free:
1. Repentance           
The Kingdom of God without repentance is not the real kingdom. Many people are preaching the kingdom without repentance.
Repent from ruling and governing yourself.
Say: Lord, I was ruling and governing myself, doing what I wanted whenever I wanted. But right now, I stop and give you my life for You to rule and govern.
2. Authority
Take authority whenever you see rebellion and cut it from the root! Kill your old man in order for Jesus to live in you!
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. –Galatians 2:20
Principle of the Kingdom: In order to live you must die.
Principle of Sacrifice: There is nothing new coming into life unless there has been a sacrifice.
Many people expect to be given everything for free but in the Kingdom, you cannot go to a new dimension without first making a sacrifice.
Die to yourself and allow Jesus to live in you!
 

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Definition of Wrath- means an intense emotional state induced by displeasure.  In the most general term rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.  The Bible warns us not to let our anger boil over into wrath or rage and even at that to get over being angry quickly.

Ephesians 4:26-27 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Anger that leads to sin can sometimes be hatred. It has to be stopped before it’s out of hand or out of control and in the control of the devil!

James 1:19-21 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

If you have an issue with anger deal with it before it deals with you.  It is hard to impossible to recapture the steam from a boiling tea kettle.  Get close to that steam and it doesn’t care who it burns and unfortunately many burns are lifelong injuries or fatal.  Teach your children to deal with their anger in a healthy manner.  Set an example.  Often even counting to ten as I was taught as a child can give you time to change your mind and save yourself from life altering consequences.
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The only way to overcome anger that leads to all kinds of moral filth is by accepting God’s Word into your heart. We must hide His word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him and people. If we are going to hate anything it should be evil, not people.

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Today we look at Emulations.  The Blog from yesterday mentions this as well and I gave you some links to further your study. 

“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.” - James D. Miles

Emulations is defined as the act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire of superiority, attended with effort to attain to it; generally in a good sense, or an attempt to equal or excel others in that which is praise-worthy, without the desire of depressing others. Rom.11. In a bad sense, a striving to equal or do more than others to obtain carnal favors or honors. Contest; contention; strife; competition; rivalry accompanied with a desire to make someone less than.

The conflict of character. True character always creates conflict whenever it asserts itself against what is wrong or unjust. It always causes the boat of complacency and conformity to rock.

People tend to judge us by who they think we are, but inside we know who we really are. We know if, in situations where no one else will know, in situations where we believe we will not be found out, if we chose the right thing or the wrong thing. That is what makes us who we are. That is our character.

Good character is its own reward. When we have good character, we can face ourselves in the mirror and feel good, we have nothing to hide from others or from ourselves. When we have good character, we ourselves become someone we admire – and someone others can emulate. Good character makes others want to know you as a person, want to have you as a friend and want to do business with you. 

Good character always brings a good reputation.
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Character, as J.C. Watts said, is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking.

“Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation. Your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are”. - Dale Carnegie

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Today we look at the word Variance. 

This word in the original Greek is dichazo which means to sever or split apart or separate. Modern translations just use the word "against" and leave out "variance".

This word in the original Greek is eris which means strife or discord. Modern translations use words such as strife, discord, contention, and one even uses "fits of passion" instead of "variance".

Bottom line is causing problems on purpose between people and in circumstances involving people. 

In this series we are finding that God hates it when people do not get along with one another and rather involve themselves in matters that cause people to be divided rather than united and in harmony.
The word Variance is only used one other place in the Bible.

Matthew 10:35 (KJV) “For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”
For more information on this topic please go to:  http://bibleworld.com/variance.pdf 
 
Different translations offer various words, but the essence is the same.
The KJV translates it: “Variance”
The NKJV: “contentions”
The ASV: “strife”
The NIV: “discord”
The New Living Translation: “quarreling”
Amplified Bible: "divisions" (dissensions)

Here is another great resource to study this topic and other Works of the Flesh:  http://togodandjesuschrist.tripod.com/works_variance_contentions.htm 

Romans 12:18 (NIV) "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."
 

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hatred can begin as a harsh word that carries great consequences. It starts out with dislike. It can be directed against individuals, groups, entities, objects, behaviors, or ideas. Hatred is often associated with feelings of anger, disgust and a disposition towards hostility. We don’t think about it but that is what the world will have toward us if we love God. 

John 15:18-19 (KJV) “18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

If you are a Christian you may be in the world but you’re not of the world. The world’s love is conditional. If you want to be loved by the world you need to do what the world does. When we choose not to do as the world does often times the world will accuse us of judging them.

Now look at verse 21 of John 15: (KJV) “21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

When the world doesn’t know Jesus they hate us but we are to love them all the more. Easy? No. Possible? Yes. And all the more reason we are to love others as we love ourselves.'

Mark 12:31 (KLV) “… 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Feelings of hate and anger can make your life a lot more difficult to handle, unless you understand how to stop hating someone and learn to deal with the people you hate. It takes energy to hate and will consume us, our time, our energies and most certainly our joy.

If you’ve always thought that you got a raw deal, then in all probability, you will also hate the people who you think got it easy. It could be a result of what you went through in your life. Your past experiences shape what you are today. And all this will only make it more difficult for you to deal with people you hate.

There are people who generalize their feelings, for or because of, one person in an entire group. If you had an abusive father, you may subconsciously hate all older men. Or the reason you hate your boss so much could be because he reminds you of that obnoxious teacher who used to always pick on you, and lose no chance to humiliate you in class, for no fault of yours.

Deal with your feelings or they will deal with you.  Many sicknesses and diseases come from within our hearts and cause us to be open to all sorts of diseases. Forgiving others can bring healing to ourselves.
God’s word is not to keep us from having fun or enjoying life.  God’s word is for our good that we would have long life. The ultimate choice to love or hate is entirely up to us.  Choose life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (KJV) “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”
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Love as Jesus loved and then you will have no room to hate.

 Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

There is no reason to do Idolatry as I touched on that in #2.  So if you would like to learn more about that idolatry refer to that Blog. Today we are looking at Witchcraft.

Definition of Witchcraft is the practice of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells and the invocation of spirits. Magical things that are done by witches: the use of magical powers obtained especially from evil spirits.
For the purpose of this blog, I am defining witchcraft as a desire to be a spiritual free agent without submission to God or regard for His word.
 
1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV) "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you..."

Psalms 107:11 (NIV) For they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High."

Nehemiah 9:26 (NIV) "But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they put your law behind their backs. They killed your prophets, who had admonished them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies."

Witchcraft is characterized by belief in "knowledge from below", and rejection of "knowledge from above".
In its more advanced and powerful stages, delusion and belief in what is clearly not of God is key. Satan's tacit "deal" is: if you sacrifice truth on his altar, he will give you power for what you want now. But lies are flimsy things to put your trust in...

A.W. Tozer: "Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers..."'
Job 24:13 (NIV) "There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths."

God takes witchcraft very seriously. The penalty for practicing witchcraft under the Mosaic Law was death (Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27). 

First Chronicles 10:13 tells us that “Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance.”
In the New Testament, “sorcery” is translated from the Greek word pharmakeia, from which we get our word pharmacy(Galatians 5:20; Revelation 18:23).

Witchcraft and Spiritism often involve the ritualistic use of magic potions and mind-controlling drugs. Using illicit drugs can open us up to the invasion of demonic spirits. Engaging in a practice or taking a substance to achieve an altered state of consciousness is a form of witchcraft.

There are only two sources of spiritual power: God and Satan. The Bible expressly condemns all forms of witchcraft.  If you are or have ever been involved in any form of witchcraft repent and ask God to forgive you. 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Today we look at number four in the list of the works of the Flesh from Galatians chapter 5 verses 19-21.
Lasciviousness is defined as The Greek word for “Lasciviousness” is “Asalgeia.” According to Thayer's Dictionary, the term "Asalgeia" means, "Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence, wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females, etc."

Vine’s Dictionary tells us that "Aselgeia" denotes, "Excess, licentiousness, absence of restraint, indecency, wantonness."

The Revel Bible Dictionary defines "lasciviousness" as "wanton, licentious.... It means unrestrained greed, or an "animal-like" indulgence in any passionate desire.

Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines "Lasciviousness" as the "KJV word for licentiousness. In turn, it defines "Licentiousness" as "undisciplined and unrestrained behavior, especially a flagrant disregard of sexual restraints. The Greek word translated as licentiousness means "outrageous conduct," showing that licentious behavior goes beyond sin to include a disregard for what is right."
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The word therefore doesn’t just refer to immorality, but immorality gone wild; immorality gone arrogant; immorality gone public. It is a spirit of sin that comes out of the closet and becomes public and proud-- and unrestrained.
 
Paul in (2 Corinthians 12:21) classes lasciviousness with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of. The same word is translated "wantonness" in Romans 13:13, meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. In Peter (1 Peter 4:3) it mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries."  Not the category one wants to find themselves.

It refers to what you will find on TV where two women participate in lewd acts on prime time TV. It refers to activities that ought to never take place in public but are now regularly taking place on prime time TV. It refers to carnivals where it is expected for women to undress publicly, as is expected in New Orleans. It refers to huge crowds gathering in Pride Parades where immorality is celebrated and where political leaders lead the events. It refers to public dancing that is clearly meant to excite and seduce. It refers to magazine shelves in stores filled with magazines containing pictures that are distorted and degenerate. It refers to adult video stores, or sections of video stores filled with videos that pollute human minds. It refers to millions of web sites offering every kind of distorted activities. It refers to movies presenting homosexuality as natural and loving, and rewarding them with golden globes, 8 academy award nominations and a best director Oscar. It refers to governments giving their blessings to unnatural acts; to churches giving their blessings to unnatural unions.

Today being the National Day of Prayer let’s repent of this type of lifestyle and behavior and ask God for mercy and forgiveness.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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Today we look at #3 in the Works of the Flesh uncleanness.

Definition of Uncleanness is 169 akáthartos (an adjective, derived from 1 /A "not" and 2513/katharós, "clean, purged") – properly, not pure (because mixed), i.e. adulterated with "a wrong mix" and hence "unclean" (because tainted by sin).

Jesus had just finished a discussion with the Pharisees and now turns to address the crowd.

Mark 7:14-23 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. (15) Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean. (17) After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. (18) "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don’t you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him `unclean’? (19) For it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods "clean.") (20) He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him `unclean.’ (21) For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, (22) greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. (23) All these evils come from inside and make a man `unclean.’ "

Jesus is talking to those present that day and explaining what it is that makes us unclean and He makes it clear it is not what goes in us such as food but what comes out of us.

James 1:13 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
 
What is on the inside of us—in our hearts is what causes us to sin. On that note I do believe we should guard our gates, the ear gate, the eye gate, etc...  It has been often quoted, “Garbage in—Garbage Out”.  However, we can choose what we let in.  Jesus is saying that we need to guard our hearts because that is where defilement begins. So how do we wash the inside of the cup? Our hearts? With the watering of the Word of God going into us on a consistent basis. We need to have the Word of God going into us every day. Obedience purifies our soul.
 
Keep the inside of the cup clean and the outside will stay cleaner.  

Join my Blog tomorrow for  #4 lasciviousness in our series Works of the Flesh.