“ASELEGIA” (GAL. 5:19)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Some here are familiar with Freed Hardeman College in Henderson, Tennessee.

2. Bible majors at this school are required to take a final exam before graduating.

3. One of the questions on this exam used to be:

“If you were stranded on a desert island, what 10 religious books would you want to help you study the Bible?”

4. A Bible major should be able to instantly answer that question.

I. IF A PERSON WERE GRADUATING FROM A CHRISTIAN COLLEGE AND HAD A DEGREE IN GREEK, THE EXIT EXAMINATION MIGHT POSE THIS QUESTION: WHAT IS ONE OF THE UGLIEST WORDS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

A. List a word that is deplorable and dishonorable.

B. Name a word that describes disgusting behavior.

C. Give a word that takes one to the bottom of sin and filth.

D. One correct answer to this question would be the word “aselegia”.

E. Several years ago I read this statement about aselegia:

“In many ways aselegia is the ugliest word in the list of NT sins.”

F. In many Bibles, “aselegia” is translated “lasciviousness”.

G. Gal. 5:19, in both the KJV and the ASV, is translated “lasciviousness”.

H. If your Bible is still open to Gal. 5, let’s re-read verse 19.

(1) Some see a climax of evil as Paul describes the works of the flesh.

(2) First, there is sexual sin (adultery and fornication).

(3) This sin deals with a specific area of life.

(4) Next we come to the word “uncleanness”.

(5) This is the word that has an “a” in front of it.

(6) Without the “a”, great purity is described.

(7) The purity is so great it describes what happens to us when we are cleansed by Christ’s blood.

(8) With the “a” added, moral defilement and corruption are described.

I. In the works of the flesh we now come to sin #3.

(1) This sin includes the first two.

(2) What is different about lasciviousness is the attitude that people have.

(3) If people commit fornication, or if they are living in “uncleanness”, lasciviousness takes the lifestyle to a whole new level.

(4) Lasciviousness means that people become reckless with their sin.

J. Perhaps we have known someone who used illegal drugs or someone who was an alcoholic or a wife beater.

K. The person we knew tried to hide what he did - an attempt was made to keep things secret.

(1) When a person is guilty of lasciviousness, there is no hiding.

(2) There is no interest in covering up what is being done.

(3) What people do, they do openly, publicly, and defiantly.

(4) Let’s take an example of this from 2 Pet. 2.

(5) The 2nd chapter of 2 Pet. is very negative.

(6) Peter started out by describing false prophets and teachers.

(7) In verse 7 Peter went back to the time of Lot. READ.

L. Sodom and Gomorrah are mentioned in the preceding verse.

M. The conduct of those in Sodom and Gomorrah was “lascivious”.

(1) Were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah guilty of fornication, Gal 5:19? Yes.

(2) Were the people guilty of uncleanness, Gal. 5:19? Yes.

(3) What else did the people of Sodom do? They were lascivious.

(4) Why use this word to describe those in Sodom?

(5) These people refused to keep their perversity in the closet.

(6) These people were completely open about their sin.

(7) In fact, these people were so public about their intentions that they tried to knock down

Lot’s door.

(8) It seems to me that we must see a climax/graduation in Gal. 5:19.

(9) First is fornication – a sin that is usually kept secret.

(10) Then we come to all kinds of moral impurity.

(11) With lasciviousness, all of this behavior is done publicly.

N. Lasciviousness is a sin that shocks (should shock) public decency.

O. Acts are done in front of others that are unbelievable.

P. Some present may be thinking about sermons by other preachers.

Q. Some have heard it taught that in Thayer’s lexicon lasciviousness means:

“Indecent bodily movements; unchaste handling of males and females.”

R. Thayer says this, that is true, but this is not all he says.

S. He also says, “wanton acts or manners, as filthy words.”

T. He also adds, “Outrageousness, shamelessness; carnality.”

U. Lasciviousness describes shameless acts in public.

(1) The word lasciviousness has been used to condemn dancing.

(2) If we want to get technical, “Uncleanness is broad enough to cover dancing.”

(3) Lasciviousness comes into play when people on the public dance floor:

(4) begin to squeeze each other;

(5) grind against each other, and make other suggestive/lewd movements.

(6) Provocative movements in public are condemned by this word.

(7) Acts that would be acceptable between married people by themselves are done

out in the open. This is lascivious behavior.

(8) Lascivious acts are not limited to dancing.

(9) School is in session and some football games have already been played:

(10) when walking through some of the parking lots, we can find young men and young

women mauling each other;

(11) in public, young people practically climb over each other.

(12) This is lascivious behavior.

V. Let’s tie in another passage that uses this word.

W. Eph. 4:19 has the same word that is used in Gal. 5:19.

X. Here Paul says some people “gave themselves over to lasciviousness”.

Y. Before this could be done, something had to occur.

Z. Eph. 4:19 – READ.

A. Lasciviousness means that people are “past feeling”.

(1) There is no concern for one’s public appearance.

(2) Lascivious people do not care what others think.

(3) Being offensive and sinful in public is not only fine, some who are lascivious think

it is funny.

(4) Putting on a show of sensuality is humorous.

B. This humor is often connected with alcohol.

C. This is true not only from what we see in the world, it is true according to God.

D. The word “lasciviousness” is also found in 1 Pet. 4:3.

E. In this text Peter makes a reference to alcohol.

(1) The words “winebibbings and revelings” are used.

(2) “Carousings” is also mentioned.

F. Peter’s readers had once lived lascivious lives – READ verse 3.

(1) If we have ever seen people become intoxicated, we know what liquor can do to people.

(2) Quite a few become like Eph. 4:19 – they are “past feeling”.

(3) Social and moral inhibitions are shed.

(4) People stand up in a public place and take off their clothes.

(5) Some think they are funny and start telling terrible jokes.

(6) Others want to sing in front of others.

G. When some drink, nearly all restraint is cast away.

H. This is why lasciviousness has been called one of the ugliest words.

I . Some men (people) are only “unclean” when they sin. Gal. 5:19

J. These are as filthy as lasciviousness but they keep their filth and sin hidden.

K. Those who are lascivious let it all hang out. This outrageous behavior can be found:

(1) In the local bars and taverns;

(2) In our local and national schools;

(3) In the places where we work;

(4) In the neighborhoods where we live;

(5) On our community streets … nearly any public area.

III. THIS WORD WOULD SEEM TO BE UNNECESSARY FOR CHRISTIANS. FOR GOD’S PEOPLE THE WORD “UNCLEANNESS” (EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT MORAL OR PURE) SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO MAKE CLEAR THE KIND OF LIFE WE NEED TO LEAD. WHEN WE LOOK AT GAL. 5, WE FIND THAT WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL WORD FROM GOD. EVEN IF THIS WORD DOES NOT HAVE DIRECT APPLICATION TO US, IT DOES HAVE PLENTY OF APPLICATION TO MANY WHO ARE IN THE WORLD.

A. Peter said that some had lived lascivious lives.

B. Paul spoke of some who were also living lasciviously.

C. Some of the people we know are just as lascivious.

D. Many believe that a lascivious life is a joyful life.

E. Public displays of sin are seen as fun or exciting.

F. Some who live this way argue that lasciviousness is not wrong.

G. There are those who defend lascivious behavior.

H. This past week I saw a news story from San Diego.

I. Black’s Beach located in CA has an area for nudists.

(1) This is one of about 650 beaches nationwide that allow nudity.

(2) Some of America’s nude beaches are coming under fire.

(3) At least a few are objecting to a complete lack of clothing.

(4) Were the attendees at these beaches walking through Wal-Mart, there would be a public

outcry - it would be said that the lack of clothing is lewd and immoral.

(5) At Wal-Mart no clothing would be lascivious behavior.

J. On a beach this lack of attire is considered to be appropriate.

K. Nudity is not the only way to be lascivious.

L. Remember that this word deals with public behavior.

M. The term describes shameless and outrageous public conduct.

N. Have we ever seen a person in public who is dressed in such a way that public decency was (or

should have been) shocked?

O. Have we seen someone who dressed in such a way when many said, “Look at her/him?”

P. Have we heard or made a comment like:

(1) “I can’t believe she came out without undergarments.”

(2) “I can’t believe her blouse is that low.”

(3) “That skirt could not be much thinner, higher, or tighter.”

Q. If there is any verse that obligates people to dress modestly, it is Gal. 5:19.

R. Lasciviousness will forever condemn all forms of public lewdness.

Judg. 19:15-23

S. If we know what this word means we have one more guideline for life.

CONCLUSION:

1. We can go to those people who profess to be religious and yet persist in public behavior that is sinful;

and we can ask these individuals, “Do you know what the word lascivious means?”

2. “We want to tell you. We have a message from God for you.”

3. This word is meaningful to us as we live the Christian life.

4. We can use it as a starting point to discuss God and Christianity with others.