PROFANITY IS LASCIVIOUSNESS

Introduction:
     1. In previous lessons it has been noted that Lasciviousness is
        sin, Galatians 5:19-21.
     2. It has been noted that among the sins of lasciviousness is:
        Dancing, Immodest Apparel, Petting, and Pornography.
     3. In this study we note another of the sins of lasciviousness:
        Profanity, or Vulgar Speech.

  I. DEFINING THE WORD:

     1. Profanity (from "profane") means, "godless" or "irreligious."
        Webster defines profanity as, "the quality or state of being
        profane; the use of profane language." Webster then defines
        profane as, "not concerned with religion or religious purposes;
        not holy because unconsecrated, impure, or defiled; serving to
        debase or defile what is holy...." "To treat with abuse,
        irreverence, or contempt; to debase by a wrong, unworthy, or
        vulgar use."

     2. Thayer's definition of Lasciviousness: "Unbridled lust, excess,
        licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, shamelessness,
        insolence....of carnality....as filthy words, indecent bodily
        movements, unchaste handling of males and females."

     3. Profanity is now used to refer to a particular form of abusive
        language. The gutter language that so often is heard among High
        School, even Grade School students.

     4. Profanity is Lasciviousness.

 II. GOD'S WORD CONCERNING THE SPEECH DESIRED BY HIS CHILDREN:

     1. 1 Peter 3:10 -- "He that would love life...refrain his tongue
        from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile...."

     2. Ephesians 4:29 -- "Let no corrupt speech....." Vulgarity
        suggests that which is obscene, course, morally crude.

     3. Proverbs 4:23; 23:7; Matthew 12:34-37; 15:8; Philippians 4:8.
        We MUST control our heart, our thoughts.

III. GUARD AGAINST PROFANITY:

     1. With the increasing free use of profanity in movies and
        television, the sickening exploitation of sex, the
        aggrandizement on the screen of explicit acts of marriage and
        the actual encouragement of pre-marital relationships, is it
        surprising that there is a moral breakdown in this country?

     2. A generation raised up on profanity and vulgarity has resulted
        in the absence of morals that is everywhere about us.

     3. Young people remember: One slack moment will lead to another;
        one vulgar word brings on another, and another, etc. It is so
        difficult to be different from those around us. Yet, God expects
        us to choose our words wisely. Do not allow the world to be your
        standard. The world is not seeking to please God.  You do not
        have to talk like the world.

Conclusion (to these lessons on Lasciviousness):

     1. In William Barclay's definition of Lasciviousness we quoted:
        "....indicates a love of sin so reckless and so audacious that a
        man has ceased to care what God or man thinks of his actions."
        (Flesh and Spirit, page 31.)

     2. DO I CARE WHAT GOD THINKS ABOUT MY ACTIONS? If so, then I will
        be extremely careful not to fall into the sin of Lasciviousness.

     3. Lasciviousness is a sin of the heart -- Mark 7:21-23.

     4. We must not, we cannot, engage in the sins of lasciviousness;
        the things we have been discussing in these lessons.

     5. The modern philosophy is, "If it feels good, do it." The
        humanist says, "All things are permissible and acceptable among
        consenting adults." But, God says, "Flee youthful lusts."

     6. Remember, it takes but a careless moment to ruin your entire
        life. Why do you think someone would offer you something FREE?
        To get you "HOOKED." And once "hooked," it very often is for a
        lifetime.  Just a brief moment of the loss of self control can
        result in a pregnancy, which will stay with you a lifetime. Keep
        your self pure!!! Holy!!! Do not abuse your body. Keep it for
        God's service.

     7. Lasciviousness must be repented of:  2 Corinthians 12:21.

     8. Paul describes Lasciviousness as being past feelings: Ephesians
        4:19.

     9. Lasciviousness is described as being the evil desires of the
        Gentiles: 1 Peter 4:3-5.

    10. Lasciviousness is to live in error: 2 Peter 2:18-19.

    11. I do not personally believe that all who are guilty of the sin
        of lasciviousness mean to be evil, and they do not consider
        themselves base, but may have been led into their shameless
        attitude because they gullibly followed the modern trends. They
        fail to realize that the Christian is "in the world, but not of
        the world." (Cf. a ship in the ocean!)

    12. We must, WE MUST, care what God thinks about out actions. Our
        eternal welfare depends upon our being well pleasing in His
        sight.

    13. LASCIVIOUSNESS IN SIN, AND SIN WILL NOT ENTER INTO THE PRESENCE
        OF JEHOVAH GOD!!!

    14. Galatians 5:19-21. "Cannot inherit the kingdom of God." Do you
        wish to inherit that kingdom. If so, seek to please HIM.

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