Author : Keith Sharp
In “educated elite” society, modern times are often called “The Post Christian Era” (or so I’m told). This means we live in a time when most people no longer have faith in or are guided by the principles of Christianity. I certainly cannot argue this assessment.
In fact, the moral climate of today is more like that of the ancient pagan world of the first century than that taught in the New Testament. The apostle Paul described the characteristic lives of Gentiles of his day thus:
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19).
The apostle seems to be describing modern America.
The attitude which characterized pagan Gentiles was “lewdness”. They had “given themselves over to” it. This led them “to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Let’s find out what lewdness is, how it is manifested, and why we must avoid it.
Definition
Lewdness (“lasciviousness” – King James Version) primarily means “shamelessness.” “The prominent idea is shameless conduct” (Vine. 2:310). Lewd people feel no shame for shameful conduct. Jeremiah accused the Jews of his day:
Were they ashamed when they had committed abominations?
No! They were not at all ashamed;
Nor did they know how to blush. (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12).
People who don’t know how to blush are incapable of feeling shame.
But the word is used in the New Testament to mean “sensuality.” It is so translated by the New American Standard Bible and so defined by Moulton and Milligan (84). “‘Sensual’ is used in relation to gratification of the senses, especially sexual gratification” (Oxford Dictionary). Thus, “lewdness” is the attitude that seeks sexual gratification in ways God does not approve. It leads to activities that tend to encourage or satisfy sinful sexual pleasures.
Part of Thayer’s definition of the Greek term translated “lewdness” in the New King James Version is “unbridled lust”. As examples of the application, he lists “filthy words, indecent bodily movements,” and “unchaste handling of males and females” (79-80). Let’s consider each application.
Manifestations
The basic meaning of “lewdness” is “shamelessness”. Christ advised the Laodiceans to buy from him “white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed” (Revelation 3:18). Of course this is figurative, but the figure is based on the fact that public nakedness is shameful. When Adam and Eve realized that public nudity was wrong, they covered their mid sections with fig leaves (Genesis 3:7). But they were still naked in that they were inadequately covered (Genesis 3:9-11), so God “clothed them” with “tunics of skin” (Genesis 3:21).
People who shamelessly parade in public with inadequate or sexually alluring clothing practice lewdness. Obviously, many modern skirts are far too short, but many modern blouses are also too low. When women wear form fitting or “see through” clothing, or show their bare mid section, or men go shirtless in public, they are putting a stumbling block to lust before others. Jesus warned:
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matthew 18:6-7).
Godly women dress in a manner befitting their character (1 Timothy 2:9-10). Those who dress to be sexually alluring are wearing “the attire of a harlot” (Proverbs 7:10). Their dress is lewd.
Lewdness is “unbridled lust”. How could one better describe the sexually explicit content of popular magazines, TV shows, and movies? The Master warned:
You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28).
Lewdness is manifested by “filthy words”. The use of “four letter” words is the norm in our society. The crudest of words embarrasses neither the speaker nor the hearer. It’s difficult to watch a movie or TV show not defiled with such verbal sewage. In contrast, Paul commands, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Again, he commands, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4, English Standard Version). Christ warns, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36).
“Indecent bodily movements” are lewd. Could one find a more apt description of modern dancing? John the Baptist literally lost his head because Herod morally lost his head at the sight of Salome’s sensuous dance (Matthew 14:6-11). Many will lose their souls because of such lewdness.
“Unchaste handling of males and females” is a form of “lewdness.” “Unchaste” means “impure”. This is the kind of touch that leads to sexual arousal. Of course, this also describes modern “close dancing” as well as “making out.” “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22)
Why Avoid Lewdness
Lewdness is a primary characteristic of worldly living that most Christians once practiced but must shun now that we are disciples of Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24; 1 Peter 4:1-5). This vice demonstrates an impure heart and is spiritually defiling (Mark 7:21-23). It is a work of the flesh, and those who practice it “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21; cf Jude 4).
Conclusion
Lewdness is a cancer that has eaten away the moral fiber of our society and has insidiously invaded the church of God, robbing us of spiritual strength. We can give up the fight and die with the world, or we can turn to the Great Physician for the cure – repentance from evil works. “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).
Works Cited
Moulton, J.H. and Milligan, George, The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament.
Oxford University Dictionary.
Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
Vine, W.E., An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words.
