The Flesh Manuscripts II: The day we became Lascivious!

Once upon a time, the garden was green. The flowers blossomed and the leaves sparkled. The dew fell on soft green grass, and the birds chirped in the nearest distance. The lions conversed with the tigers, and there was no competition in the food chain. Rabbits chased elephants, and mortals chased guerrillas. But alas, gone are those days. The days of innocence. Lost in the garden of Eden.

Today's manuscript will unravel the mysteries of "Lasciviousness" (KJV) or "Lewdness" (NKJV). These words epitomize 'the power to arouse or excite sexual desires.' This power is inherent. It is in males and females alike. It is in the young and the restless, and the bold and the beautiful. It is also in the old and the wise. It is in each of us, whether we like it or not. But has this power been misused? Yes, it has. It didn't start with this century, there is nothing new under the sun. It started even in the days of Adam and Eve. When God created Eve for Adam, automatically that power to bring forth a sexual attraction was there. But sin came into the world, and this power was averted for the wrong uses.

Lasciviousness is only a part of the things of the flesh (Galatians 5) because our bodies are very important to God. Why, you may ask? God is the Master Potter. He molded us with His hands, and as He did so, He breathed "purpose" into us. Think of a potter. The way he would mold a cup would differ slightly from the way he would mold a bowl...because they have different functions. If a cup carries food rather than drink, it's purpose (what the potter had in mind) would never be fulfilled. If a swimming pool carries sand, it's purpose can never be fulfilled. So also, if you arouse sexual desires that are not meant to be aroused, your purpose would never be fulfilled. That's how I see it. The purpose of sexual desires are for pleasures within marriage. Now, this is not to say that we won't be tempted before marriage or outside of marriage. But there's a difference between "being tempted" and "purposefully following up on temptation."

How does one get lascivious? Lewdness is a synonym for lasciviousness. To be lewd is to be obscene (either in the way we speak or the way we dress, or even in other ways). To be obscene in ways that can arouse sexual desire. The way we talk, if improper towards the opposite sex, can arouse illicit desires. That is why Solomon said in his book, "do not stir up, nor awaken love until it pleases (chapter 2:7)." Because we have the power to awaken love when it is not the right time. Obscene sexual language can arouse illicit desires. If you're really ready to follow God, then you must be ready to drop the obscene language. The way we dress is also very important. Don't let anyone lie to you, yes the times have changed, but the definition of obscenity has not changed. Obscene and improper dressing...the way we cover or uncover our bodies, can arouse illicit sexual desires. There's a proper way to dress, and an improper way to dress. There's "respectable dressing" and "unrespectable dressing." YOU decide which one you will choose, no one decides for you. I'm not saying dress like an "SU" with no appeal (e.g. no earrings, make-up, long sleeves all the time, e.t.c). But there's a way to look sexy and respectable at the same time. Oh, remember that the fact that people will be tempted regardless of the way you dress is definitely not a plausible excuse.

Again, these manuscripts are born to reveal those things of our flesh that we need to do away with. It is NOT enough to know, now is the time to DO. We need to stop being obscene, in the way we talk and dress. We need to drop the baggage we carry daily, so that we can meet God face to face. We need to clean up our houses and our temples. I'm not sure how many people these manuscripts will reach, but it's not for me to decide. It will change whoever God needs to change. It is for those who want to leave their old ways of life and follow God. It is the start of a new beginning...14 more to go...