Overview of Lasciviousness
Lasciviousness is a term derived from Latin which means being lustful or seeking sensual pleasure. In the Bible, it is described as behavior that intends to bring personal, sexual satisfaction and disregards the moral principles or standards that are accepted for a culture or religion. It is often written in a very critical manner, referring to extreme immorality, sexual indulgence, and depravity. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, lasciviousness is contrasted with the righteousness of God and is regarded as obnoxious and offensive.
Origin of the Word
The term ‘lasciviousness’ originates from the Latin word ‘lascivia’, from which later languages also derived their own words for lasciviousness. It was translated into English as lustful and immoral due to its explicit connections to sexual gratification and licentiousness. Lascivia itself has its beginnings in the Latin verb lascivire, which meant “to cause to laugh.” It is interesting that it has come to mean such vastly different things, but the origins of this word provide an interesting insight into the implications.
Biblical Study of Lasciviousness
The Bible has a great deal to say about lasciviousness. It is spoken of as a thing which is both evil and punishable in several books of the Old Testament. In Ezekiel 16:49-50, the Lord states: “Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit.” In this passage, the lasciviousness of Sodom is described as “abomination” and used as the basis of God’s judgment.
In the New Testament, lasciviousness is described in various verses as immoral behavior. It is linked to activities in which people behave to gratify their fleshly desires over the moral commands that God has set for them. Titus 3:3 says: “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” In this passage, it is clear that the behavior of living for one’s own sensual desires is an evil thing.
Effects of Lasciviousness
The consequences of lasciviousness have always been regarded as being severe. This is demonstrated in Corinthians 6:18-20 which states: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Here, Christians are reminded that sexual immorality, which can be linked to lasciviousness, is a sin, and is also an affront to God.
Lasciviousness in Society Today
Lasciviousness continues to be a major issue in society today. It has become even more acceptable in many places due to the rise of pornography, and other forms of sexual gratification becoming readily available. This has led to many individuals believing that sexual behavior is something that is natural and accepted, when in fact, it can be extremely damaging both spiritually and physically.
Professional counsellors are often called upon to work with individuals suffering from the effects of lasciviousness. Many treatment programs have been developed in this area, to help people change their behavior and understand the consequences of lasciviousness.
Conclusion
It is important to recognize the serious nature of lasciviousness and the dangerous consequences that it can bring. Not only is it against the will of God, but it can also lead to physical and emotional damage in the lives of those affected by it. Thankfully, there are those who can provide help and guidance for those who struggle with this issue.
The Role of the Church
The church is an essential part of being able to overcome the temptations of lasciviousness. In addition to offering spiritual guidance, the church can provide many tools to help individuals remove themselves from the temptations of indulging in this kind of behavior. These tools can range from accountability partners to group therapy and other counseling. The church can also be a place of celebration when one has successfully overcome this temptation.
The Role of Government
The government also has an important role in ensuring that the public is aware of the dangers of engaging in lascivious behavior. This can be accomplished through the implementation of laws and regulations that seek to curb the prevalence of this kind of behavior. The government must also make sure that outlets for engaging in lascivious behavior are not readily accessible. This can include regulations on the distribution and sale of pornography and other activities that involve lascivious behavior.
The Role of Education
Education also plays an important part in understanding and avoiding lascivious behavior. Schools should incorporate lessons on the dangers of this kind of behavior. This can include discussion of the physical and spiritual risks of engaging in lasciviousness. Education can also provide individuals with the tools they need to avoid engaging in this kind of behavior. This can include teaching strategies for self control and celebrating one’s own sexual purity.
The Role of Culture
Lastly, the role of culture cannot be underestimated in curbing the prevalence of lascivious behavior. Society should be actively engaged in promoting and celebrating the virtues of purity, self-control, and morality. There should also be a concerted effort to root out and eliminate activities that involve lascivious behavior. This could include boycotts and public campaigns that emphasize the harm that can be caused by engaging in lascivious behavior.
