Exploring Some Sins: Part 2

Exploring Sins in Depth (PART 2)

We have examined the categories of sinners from Revelation 21:8. Now we will examine thirteen sins named by Jesus which “defile a man.” We have noted that nothing that defiles shall enter that eternal city (Rev. 21:27). There is a tendency for worldly souls to justify themselves by saying, “Outward things don’t matter; God knows my heart.” And indeed He does! All of the thirteen “defilements” mentioned by Jesus give outward evidence of what is in the heart. If God’s pure and holy law has been written on the table of one’s heart, these defilement will not be there. The outward manifestations give undeniable proof that they are there.

 “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh...” (Romans 8:5).

Mark 7:20-23.

20 And he said. That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 for from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulter­ies, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blas­phemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

EXAMINING THE DEFILEMENTS

(Romans 8:5; Mark 7:20-23)

The original text in Romans 8:5 indicates that such persons are un­saved. To “mind the things of the flesh” shows a deliberate setting of one’s mind on things which the fleshly nature craves. Deliberate fleshly practices declare him to be unsaved. This is not the same as the carnal believer who is not yet sanc­tified, but is putting forth every ef­fort to keep the flesh under control. Incidentally, we see here the reason it is necessary to use “righteous judg­ment” concerning qualification for Church Membership. Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). Regardless of what one professes, we are responsible to consider the “fruits” of candidates for mem­bership. We must not jeopardize the purity of the Church through compromise.

EVIL THOUGHTS: One com­mentator observes that the original words mean “wicked dialogue,” by which the depraved heart holds a conversation with itself pertaining to the doing of evil. Both Mark and Mat­thew (15:19) place this at the head of the list. Those sins that follow may be the result of that evil inward “dia­logue,” or conversation.

FORNICATIONS: Again, the plural form, which indicates that there is more than one way to com­mit fornication. But there is a spe­cific fornication which relates to adultery, divorce, and remarriage. Fornication always involves at least one single person; “single” meaning never having been married, or the lawful companion having died. No marriage is lawful in the sight of God where either party has a living com­panion, even though divorced. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Whoso­ever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Man. 19:9). The “exception clause” is the one and only legitimate reason for divorce and remarriage. The fornica­tor, being single, may be freed from the adulterous marriage, and then be married to one who will lawfully be “his own wife,” or “her own hus­band” (1 Cor. 7:2).

Homosexuality is also considered a form of fornication consider the Jude 1:7  "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire."
Todays politics and societies acceptance of vile behaviors has not changed God's will or judgment on SIN.

MURDERS: Webster defines mur­der as: “The unlawful and malicious or premeditated killing of one human being by another; also, any killing done while committing some other felony.” In the Sixth Commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” the root word for “kill” is murder. In Matthew 19:18, it is so stated- --“Thou shalt do no murder.” The synonym “man­slaughter” means that the killing is without malice, or not intended. Under the law, cities of refuge were provided, since it was sometimes necessary to judge between mali­cious murder and manslaughter(See Numbers, chapter 35.).

THEFTS: In the plural, the word includes all forms of the unlawful taking of another’s property. “Lar­ceny” is the legal term. “Robbery” is the taking of property of the person, or in his immediate presence. “Bur­glary” implies “breaking and enter­ing” for the purpose of theft.

COVETOUSNESS: This is an in­ordinate [excessive or unrestrained] desire to have something; sometimes the excessive desire for that which belongs to another. It involves greed, which is excessive desire to have more than one needs or deserves. One example might be the constant drive for increased pay without in­creased qualification, and/or pay beyond what the fluctuating economy allows.  Simply stated to Lust

WICKEDNESS: This is evil done with active hatred, and with intense sat­isfaction. Usually there is the desire to pull others down to the same depraved level. “Iniquity” is a synonym; also “per­niciousness,” which is evil done by in­sidious undermining. This is a broad term but to do evil with intention.

DECEIT: This is wickedness done in “righteous disguise,” so as to ap­pear to be the truth. It is usually done knowingly and purposely, in order to mislead or delude. Broadly, it encom­passes the entire realm of deception, instigated by Satan. (See Rev. 12:9; Matt. 24:4,5,24; Jude 4; 2 Peter 2:1-3—a few of many warnings!)  More bluntly to tell a lie to mislead. 

LASCIVIOUSNESS: It is a gross form of immorality which is charac­terized by shamelessness; open, Un­abashed indulgence in sexual impu­rity. Some synonyms are: lewdness, obscenity; wantonness, and inde­cency, as related to sexual impurity. It has become the popular thing to boldly “come out of the closet” and demand that every deviant lifestyle be accepted by society as a whole.

Consider the Kardashian Clan for an example. 

AN EVIL EYE: John possibly had this in mind as “the lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:16). It means an eye con­stantly on the lookout for an oppor­tunity to commit some evil, espe­cially evil which will be injurious to others, or which will be offensive to others. To look upon others with evil intent, consider when the bible states that when the singers announced Saul hath slayed thousands and David ten thousand, the bible says Saul eyed him from that day forward with evil intent and a threat to himself and his kingdom. 

BLASPHEMY: This is profane, reviling, and mocking speech concerning God or anything regarded as sacred. It is one flagrant form of tak­ing the Lord’s name in vain. In the con­text of Mark 3:22-30, the scribes were attributing the working of God through the Holy Ghost to Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Jesus indicated that blasphemous speech against the Holy Ghost is unforgivable. Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost is attributing a work of God to the devil, we will deal with this particular form of blasphemy later.

Simply stated using God's name loosely such as, "Oh my G-?." Or claiming to be a christian and living in sinful ways such as practicing homosexuality, fornication, adultery, or practicing any sinful activity willingly. All of these forms of sin can be forgiven if the doer will repent and follow Christ.

PRIDE: This is an inordinately high opinion of oneself, resulting in a scornful attitude toward others, or even toward God. It over-evaluates self-worth, often claiming merit which belongs only to God, espe­cially through “good works” as con­tributing to our salvation. Synonyms include: conceit, vanity, vainglory, egotism, and haughtiness.

FOOLISHNESS: Perhaps 1 Corinthians 3:19-21 is a relevant clue to the meaning here: “For the wis­dom of this world is foolishness with God.. .The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the [worldly] wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men...” The fool feels self-sufficient. For instance, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Psa. 14:1). He feels no need of God. He trusts in secular learning as all the wisdom he needs. The “preaching of the cross” and “Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:18, 23) are foolishness in his estimation; and in his perishing state, he proclaims his own foolishness! Some behavior thought to be “hu­morous” is the height of foolishness, especially for a Christian. Simply stated, foolishness is hearing the words of Christ and doing your own thing.  Mat 7:26  "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man..."

It seems fashionable in some “re­ligious” circles to minimize or down­play the evil in the “defilements” examined in our last two studies. But holiness is a requisite for heaven. The words of the old song are true: Heaven is a holy place, filled with glory and with grace; Sin can never enter there. All within its gates are pure; Iron, defilement kept secure; Sin can never enter there!

Beware of all defilements! We could miss heaven!!!

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:

You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. May God through Christ bless you!

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