Works of the Flesh: part 4:Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, ...."

UNCLEANNESS

Defined and Described: The word “uncleanness” in Hebrew is טֻמְאָה ṭûm'âh pronounced toom-aw' and means religious impurity: - filthiness it is from H2980; In Greek, the word is ἀκαθαρσία akatharsia pronounced  ak-ath-ar-see'-a; impurity (the quality), physically or morally from G169. In the Old Testament uncleanness is used 29 times and 19 times in the Book of Leviticus. It is used 11 times in the New Testament. This word is very important and God tells Moses that he has given Israel his Laws both morally and ceremonially to know the difference between the clean and unclean (Lev 20:25). This ability to know the difference between good and evil comes from God’s Word. In this age when world societies are unraveling morally, politically, and religiously, one must trust in God’s Word and the Holy Ghost to direct a believer through the mine field of sin (Isa. 5:20, Jn 16:13). The Bible declares that when a sinner returns to God through Christ that the Lord will give them discernment if they will follow his Word, “then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not” (Mal 3:18). Paul told the Jewish Christians that feeding on the milk and then moving to meat of the Word of God would strengthen the Christian to be able to discern between good (clean) and evil (unclean) (Heb. 5:12-14).

Webster defines “uncleanness” as moral impurity, unchastity, obscenity, or vileness. Vile means morally base or evil, wicked, depraved, or sinful. Adam Clarke defines uncleanness “as the opposite to purity meaning here Roman 1:24 and 2 Corinthians 12:21, unnatural practices; sodomy; bestiality (intimate relations with animals).” In the Bible sodomy is homosexuality and lesbianism. “Inordinate affection” (passions out of natural order) depraved, unnatural passions seems to belong here also, the Transgender movement would fit here (Col 3:5; Rom 1:26-27). K.S. Wuest said, “sensual impurity-in a moral sense.”

E. Huxtable, in the Pulpit Commentary, speaks of uncleanness as “covering a wide range of sensual sin ( all uncleanness- Ephesian 4:19); solitary impurity (done without the involvement of another party), whether in thought or deed (pornography could be included). It seems that uncleanness as a work of the flesh would include such sins as incest, filthy talk (profane language, sexual, dirty), foulness, vileness, and much more.

It is evident that any of the sinful works of “sensual immorality” result “in the filthiness of the flesh and spirit” (2 Cor 7:1); not to mention the many venereal diseases (including HIV and AIDS) which are running rampant in this Twenty-First Century society. They are a scourge on humanity; perhaps even God’s judgment on a God rejecting populace. Paul the apostle  shows the awful consequences of an unclean life:

Ephesians 5:3-7

 3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (lustful), who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Uncleanness as a work of the flesh can be defined as lusts of the heart and the defiling of the body in unholy acts. Uncleanness is a broad term that is characteristic of all the other works of the flesh. It is the opposite of holiness. Holiness indicates that a Christian is pure in heart and actions; uncleanness demonstrates that a person is completely impure in heart and covered all over with filth. Sin completely separated man from God, and it contaminated man and everything he touched. From the fall of Adam and Eve in Eden man has been filled with, and covered by, uncleanness.

“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves” (Rom. 1:24).

It is stated in the Old Testament that the land God gave Israel to possess was filled with filth and uncleanness; al­though it was a land flowing with milk and honey. All the people of the land were unclean, and the land was unclean because they were without God. It takes God’s favor to overcome man’s uncleanness caused by inbred sin. Notice God’s words to Ezra concerning the land to be possessed by Israel:

“Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness” (Ezra 9:11).

Anyone who is rejecting the deliverance from sin by Jesus Christ is enslaved by uncleanness. A person does not have to try to be unclean; without Christ as a personal Savior, it is automatic. The Scripture reveals that those who are without Christ are servants of uncleanness.

The person who is known to be a morally good person is not excluded from being a servant of uncleanness. Many who profess to be Christians are in reality the servants of uncleanness. Paul speaks of uncleanness as an infirmity of the flesh that involves all body parts. One of the most notable means of serving uncleanness is unholy or filthy conversation. The mouth, as it is used by the unregenerate heart, is one of the boldest servants of uncleanness (Matt 15:18-19). Very often people are heartbroken or verbally murdered by the unclean things that are spoken by the sin-filled heart. Paul exhorts believers to yield themselves unto holiness as they readily yielded themselves to uncleanness:

“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness” (Rom. 6:19, 20).

Jesus revealed to the Pharisees that even those who profess religion can be filled with uncleanness. There is a big difference between being sanctified wholly and being filled with uncleanness. Today there are so many professing Christians who are filled with hypocrisy, although they appear outwardly to be followers of Christ (Matt 12:35-37). So many times we hear of them being caught in adultery, fornication, and even incest. All these bear witness of the uncleanness of the flesh. The flesh is so unclean that the only thing that can cleanse it and make man whole again is the blood of Jesus.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which in­deed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matt. 23:2 7, 28).

The sin of uncleanness can also be broadened to mean use of tobacco in any form (cigarettes, chew, snuff, vapor, etc.); the use of illegal drugs (although man is attempting to change those rules); speech (conversations, profanity, filthy jokes), viewing materials, etc.

Peter was inspired to write to believers concerning the necessity of being aware that some had come into the midst of the Church who were filled with the lust of uncleanness. When individuals begin to find fault with gov­ernment and its necessity, they will usually demonstrate that they are self-willed and disrespectful of those in author­ity. All of the afore mentioned actions denote individuals who are completely unclean, although professing holiness.

“But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presump­tuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities” (2 Pet. 2:10).

The Word of God makes it clear that Christians should have nothing to do with uncleanness. God’s children do not promote or encourage uncleanness in any form. The whole purpose of the child of God is to manifest a state of holiness:

“For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile” (1 Thess. 2:3). “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness” (1 Thess. 4:7).

FOR ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE ON UNCLEANNESS: Matt 23:23-28, Rom 1:24-31, 6:19-21, Col 3:5-10.

If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from 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. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)  

May God through Christ bless you!

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