Understanding the Battle Between Flesh and Spirit in Moral Impurity

FLESH SPIRIT The Flesh and The Spirit Sins of Moral Impurity

Introduction Paul mentions numerous sins of moral decay in Romans 1:18-32 These sins are prevalent in our day and age as they were in the first century When it comes to morality, man today is no better Christians are challenged in a sin filled world to live lives of holiness Peter wrote, but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:15-16 ASV; cf. Leviticus 20:7) 2

Introduction Hope is found in obedience to God s word 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 gives us hope Sinners in the first century made remarkable changes in their lives Today, the same Power is available to change us whenwe walk in the Spirit We too can be . washed - sanctified and justified in the name of Lord Jesus HOW? - by the Spirit of our God 3

Introduction In our last lesson we saw that by walking in the Spirit we can win the battle By setting our minds on the things of the Spirit that is, obeying the Word of God By obtaining the aid of the Spirit through prayer The consequence of this can produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives instead of the works of the flesh 4

But, We Observed that Victory Comes By Being Aware of This Battle We must recognize and understand that there is a battle is ongoing The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit As long as we are in the flesh there will be conflict unless we yield to the flesh But, Christians are to yield to the Spirit Paul made this clear to the Romans - Romans 6:11-18 We will be on the road to victory if we understand and follow Paul s instructions 5

We Noted Victory Comes By Being Aware of The Consequences of Defeat The enemy is the works of the flesh as Paul warns us - Galatians 5:19-21 The works of the flesh can be categorized as Sins of immorality (moral impurity) Sins of idolatry Violations of the law of love Sins of excess or intemperance The consequences of these sins are deadly Any sin will cause forfeiture of the kingdom of God Paul taught that they produce spiritual and physical corruption - Galatians 6:7-8 6

Galatians 5:19-21, NKJV 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God 7

Versions Compared - Galatians 5:19 NKJV Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lewdness KJV Adultery Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness ASV Fornication Uncleanness Lasciviousness ESV Sexual immorality Impurity Sensuality RSV Fornication Impurity Licentiousness The term adultery isnot found in some of the oldest manuscripts but Is covered in the word, fornication We will focus on the word fornication in this lesson 8

PORNEIA (Fornication, sexual immorality) A generic word for unlawful sexual relations Originally, it meant to act the harlot and then to indulge unlawful lust As used in the New Testament, we find it having at least four different meanings Premarital sex - 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 A synonym for adultery - Mathew 19:9 In a generic sense referring to all forms of unchastity 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18 A specific sense referring to harlotry and prostitution Revelation 2:20-21 9

PORNEIA (Fornication, sexual immorality) A generic word for unlawful sexual relations It therefore includes any sort of sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other (premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality, prostitution, incest) God s disdain for such immorality is seen in the fact... That these are considered as evil in the writings of Paul Fornication is listed in several of them and usually the first sin mentioned - Romans 1:29; 1 Corthinians 5:1 Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 10

PORNEIA (Fornication, sexual immorality) A generic word for unlawful sexual relations This word was synonymous with 1st century life as revealed in the New Testament writings Lawful marriage was disrespected - marriage of Herod & Herodias was condemned by John - Mark 6:17-18 Fornication was a sin that troubled the Corinthians church and confronted in the Corinthian letter written by Paul 1 Corinthians 5; 7:1-2 Paul addressed homosexuality when he wrote the Roman and Corinthian letters - Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 This word is also synonymous with 21st century life 11

AKATHARSIA (uncleanness, impurity) Considering the etymology of this word It originally referred to dirt or dirtiness in a physical sense In the Greek OT, it is used to denote ritual and ceremonial impurity making it impossible for a worshipper to approach God - Leviticus 22:3-9 In the moral sense, it has the meaning of depravity which disgusts persons who see it 12

AKATHARSIA (uncleanness, impurity) There are several th0ughts inherent in this word The quality of that which is soiled and dirty; some minds (hearts) are like that - Ephesians 4:17-19 Matthew 15:18-20 An impurity where there is a repulsive quality that awakens disgust in those persons who are decent That which separates man from God Compare - Matthew 5:8; Revelation 3:4 13

ASELGEIA (lasciviousness, licentiousness) The basic meaning of this word In the NT it has to do with sexual excess in public way Barclay gives three characteristics of this sin: It is wanton and undisciplined action It has no respect for the persons or rights of anyone else It is completely indifferent to public opinion and public decency Moulton defines it as, Outrageous, intemperance; licentiousness, lasciviousness, insolence, outrageous behavior 14

ASELGEIA (lasciviousness, licentiousness) The basic meaning of this word Thayer defines this word by giving these examples: filthy words indecent bodily movements unchaste handling of males and females This word describes accurately What is seen in many concerts, X-rated movies, what takes place with those involved in the modern dance and what goes on at rock concerts, night clubs, etc. The scriptures help us to understand this meaning of this word - Rom. 13:11-14 Eph. 4:17-19; 1 Peter 4:1-4 15

CONCLUSION From the words (Pornea, Akatharsia, Aselgeia) we learn that the works of the flesh involve sins of moral impurity. Chasity (the condition of being morally pure or chaste) was commanded by the gospel and difficult in the 1st century as it is in the 21st century. Just think of how many you know that are involved in these sins. 16

CONCLUSION There are ongoing influencers that downplay the seriousness of these sins in our age. We live in a culture where religious and influential people put their stamp of approval on many forms of sexual immorality. The only remedy for these sins is from Jesus and His teaching and does not come from man. Have you been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God? (1 Corinthians 6:11) 17

What Shall We Do? Acts 2:38 Alien sinners must Hear the Gospel Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6 Believe it John 8:24 Repent of sin Acts 17:30 Confess that Christ is God s Son Matthew 10:34 Be baptized to wash away your sin Acts 2:38 An erring child of God must Repent and Pray for Forgiveness 1 John 1:7-9 Endure Trials - be faithful unto death Revelation 2:10