Topic Study

Holiness and Purity

The topic of Holiness and Purity may be taboo among many believers, but YHWH is not silent on the issue of sexual immorality. In fact, the word “porn” and words derived from it are used at least 190 times in the Bible, including 24 times in the Torah. During this study, we will dive deeply into what the Torah, Prophets, Writings, and Apostolic Scriptures have to say about this important topic.

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Is Porn Addiction a Problem in Your Church?
By John Thorington | December 21, 2020

The statistics for Christian men between 18 and 30 years old are particularly striking:

• 77 percent look at pornography at least monthly.
• 36 percent view pornography on a daily basis
• 32 percent admit being addicted to pornography (and another 12 percent think they may be).

The statistics for middle-aged Christian men (ages 31 to 49) are no less disturbing:

• 77 percent looked at pornography while at work in the past three months.
• 64 percent view pornography at least monthly.
• 18 percent admit being addicted to pornography (and another 8 percent think they may be).

Even married Christian men are falling prey to pornography and extramarital sexual affairs at alarming rates:

• 55 percent look at pornography at least monthly.
• 35 percent had an extramarital affair.

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Be Holy

Leviticus 11:45

11:45 For I am YHWH who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2

19:2 Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, YHWH your Elohim, am holy.

Numbers 15:38

15:37 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes on the wings of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of the wing a cord of blue. 39 It shall be to you for a fringe, that you may see it, and remember all YHWH’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to whore; 40 so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your Elohim. 41 I am YHWH your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: I am YHWH your Elohim.”

1 Peter 1:13-16

1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober, and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah— 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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The Root: Covetousness & Lust

חָמַד chamad (H2530) means to want something that is pleasant out of desire or lust. חָמַד chamad comes from the root word cham which means “cheese” which was a delicacy in ancient times. חָמַד chamad is equivalent to ἐπιθυμέω epithymeō (G1937) which means to turn one’s heart upon a thing or to have a desire or longing for something (cf. Matthew 5:28; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:6).

Wisdom of Solomon 14:12-13

14:12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of sexual immorality, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 13 For they didn’t exist from the beginning, and they won’t exist forever.

Genesis 3:6-11

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. 7 Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. 8 They heard the voice of [Elohim]^(LXX) walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of [Elohim]^(LXX) among the trees of the garden. 9 [Elohim]^(LXX) called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11 Elohim said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

Exodus 20:1-26

20:1 And [Elohim]^(LXX) spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am YHWH your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Other elohim will not exist for you before my face. 4 You will not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the land beneath, or that is in the water under the land: 5 you will not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, YHWH your Elohim, am El Qanna, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the sons, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and guard my commandments. 7 You will not misuse the name of YHWH your Elohim, for YHWH will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name. 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to set it apart. 9 You will labor six days, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your Elohim. You will not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your maid, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days YHWH made the heavens and land, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. 12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you. 13 You will not murder. 14 You will not commit adultery. 15 You will not steal. 16 You will not give false witness against your neighbor. 17 You will not covet your neighbor’s house. You will not covet (חָמַד chamad) your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” 18 All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the voice of the shofar, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. 19 They said to Moses, “Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don’t let Elohim speak with us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid, for Elohim has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.” 21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moses came near to the thick darkness where Elohim was. 22 YHWH said to Moses, “This is what you will tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from the heavens. 23 You will most certainly not make elohim of silver or elohim of gold for yourselves to be alongside me. 24 You will make an altar of earth for me, and will sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you will not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. 26 You will not go up by steps to my altar, that your indecency may not be exposed to it.'”

Matthew 5:27

5:27 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ (cf. Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) 28 but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust (epithymeō, חָמַד chamad) after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Romans 7:7

7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Torah sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn’t have known sin except through the Torah. For I wouldn’t have known coveting (epithymeō, חָמַד chamad) unless the Torah had said, “You shall not covet (חָמַד chamad).” (cf. Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21)

1 Corinthians 10:6-8

10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust (epithymeō, חָמַד chamad) after evil things as they also lusted (epithymeō, חָמַד chamad). 7 Don’t be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (cf. Exodus 32:6) 8 Let’s not commit sexual immorality (G4203), as some of them committed sexual immorality (G4203), and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

1 Corinthians 10:8 (KJV)

10:8 Neither let us commit fornication (G4203) as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

According to Merriam-Webster and most every modern dictionary, fornication (for·ni·ca·tion ˌfȯr-nə-ˈkā-shən) is defined as consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other. The word “fornication” is used 36 times in the King James Version of the Bible. The KJV (55%) is the most popular and used Bible in the world. This implies that the majority of Bible-readers do not know what fornication in the Bible actually means.

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Zanah, Porn, and Sexual Immorality

זָנָה zanah (H2181) literally means to be spread abroad. זָנָה zanah comes from the root זָנ zan (H2177, H2178) which means “different kinds” when referring to a storehouse (cf. Psalms 144:13), ointments (cf. 2 Chronicles 16:14), and music (cf. Daniel 3:7). זָנָה zanah is also connected with the word זִין ziyn (H2109, H2110) which means to feed on grain (cf. Jeremiah 5:8), fruit from trees (cf. Daniel 4:12), or food harvested from the crops or flock. Thus, fornication in a Hebraic sense can mean a person who spreads themselves abroad with various sexual activities in order to be fed. Some Bible dictionaries define זָנָה zanah to mean a person who is highly-fed and therefore wanton (sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships).

In Greek, πορνείας porneías (G4202) means to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another; to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word pornography is from porne (G4204) “prostitute or harlot” who was originally bought or purchased + graphein (G1125) meaning “to write.” So, by definition, pornography is activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire. During ancient times, pornography was obscene paintings, especially in temples of Bacchus, the pagan Greek god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre. The Greek word porneías is most often translated as “fornication” and modernly defined as sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. πόρνη porne (G4204) metaphorically means to be given to idolatry, to worship idols; to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry.

Sexual Immorality as Defined in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon

• G4202 πορνεία porneia – noun feminine – illicit sexual intercourse; 1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. 1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; 1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman
• G4203 πορνεύω porneuō – verb – 1) to whore one’s body to the lust of another 2) to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse 2a) to commit fornication
• G1608 ἐκπορνεύω ekporneuō – verb – to go a whoring, “give one’s self over to fornication”
• G4204 πόρνη pornē – noun feminine – 1) a woman who sells her body for sexual uses 1a) a whore, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain 1b) any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust
• G4205 πόρνος pornos – noun masculine – 1) a man who whores his body to another’s lust for hire 2) a male whore 3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

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Leviticus 21:9

21:9 The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by whoring (G1608), she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.

Deuteronomy 23:14, 17

23:14 for YHWH your Elohim walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you…17 There shall be no whore (G4204) of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a whore (G4203) of the sons of Israel.

Acts 15:18-21

15:18 “All of God’s works are known to him from eternity. 19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality (G4202), from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

5:1 It is actually reported that there is fornication (G4202) among you, and such fornication (G4202) as is not even named among the Nations, that one has his father’s wife (cf. Leviticus 18:8; Deuteronomy 27:20). 2 You are arrogant, and didn’t mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you. 3 For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. 4 In the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 5 are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Messiah, our Pesach, has been sacrificed in our place. 8 Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners (G4205); 10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners (G4205) of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. 11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner (G4205), or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person. 12 For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within? 13 But those who are outside, Elohim judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”

Matthew 14:1-4; Mark 6:17-20

Matthew 14:1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Yeshua, 2 and said to his servants, “This is Yochanan the Immerser. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested Yochanan, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For Yochanan said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” (cf. Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21)

Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested Yochanan and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For Yochanan had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (cf. Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21) 19 Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared Yochanan, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20

6:15 Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Messiah? Shall I then take the members of Messiah and make them members of a whore (G4204)? May it never be! 16 Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a whore (G4204) is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication (G4202)! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits fornication (G4203) sins against his own body. 19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from Elohim? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify Elohim in your body and in your spirit, which are Elohim’s.

Romans 12:1-3

12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to Elohim, your logical service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, in the examining of yourselves in what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of Elohim. 

Hebrews 4:14-16

4:14 Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Yeshua, the Son of Elohim, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest unable to sympathize in our weaknesses, but one who has been in all points tested like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

2 Corinthians 12:19-21

12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of Elohim we speak in Messiah. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 20 For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that by any means there would be strife, zeal, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots, 21 that again when I come my Elohim would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, fornication (G4202), and lewdness which they committed.

Ephesians 5:1-12

5:1 Be therefore imitators of Elohim, as beloved children. 2 Walk in love, even as Messiah also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Elohim for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3 But fornication (G4202), and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes holy ones; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks. 5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person (G4205), nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Reign of Messiah and Elohim. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of Elohim comes on the children of disobedience. 7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord. 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

6:14 Don’t be unequally yoked* with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What agreement does Messiah have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does a temple of Elohim have with idols? For you are a temple of the living Elohim. Even as Elohim said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their Elohim and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you. 18 I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

*Leviticus 19:19 (Septuagint text as translated in the Apostolic Bible Polyglot by Charles VanderPool) My law you shall guard. Your cattle you shall not mate unequally yoked. And in your vineyard you shall not scatter abroad diverse seed. And a garment of two materials being woven commingled you shall not put upon yourself.

Genesis 6:1-5

6:1 When the man began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of [the Elohim]^(MTT) saw that daughters of the man were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3 YHWH said, “My Spirit will not judge in the man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were in the land in those days, and also after that, when the sons of [the Elohim]^(MTT) came in to daughters of the man and bore to them. Those were the mighty ones who were from a distant time, men of name. 5 [Elohim]^(LXX) saw that the wickedness of the man was great in the land, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the days.

Jubilees 7:20-29

7:20 And in the twenty-eighth jubilee Noaḥ̣ began to enjoin upon his sons’ sons the ordinances and commandments, and all the judgments that he knew, and he exhorted his sons to observe righteousness, and to cover the shame of their flesh, and to bless their Creator, and honour father and mother, and love their neighbour, and guard their souls from fornication and uncleanness and all iniquity. 21. For owing to these three things 6 came the flood upon the land, namely, owing to the fornication wherein the Watchers against the law of their ordinances went a whoring after the daughters of men, and took themselves wives of all which they chose: and they made the beginning of uncleanness. 22. And they begat sons the Nâphîdîm, and †they were all unlike†, and they devoured one another: and the Giants slew the Nâphîl, and the Nâphîl slew the Eljô, and the Eljô mankind, and one man another. 23. And every one sold himself to work iniquity and to shed much blood, and the land was filled with iniquity. 24. And after this they sinned against the beasts and birds, and all that moveth and walketh on the land: and much blood was shed on the land, and every imagination and desire of men imagined vanity and evil continually. 25. And the Lord destroyed everything from off the face of the land; because of the wickedness of their deeds, and because of the blood which they had shed in the midst of the land He destroyed everything. 26. “And we were left, I and you, my sons, and everything that entered with us into the ark, and behold I see your works before me that ye do not walk in righteousness; for in the path of destruction ye have begun to walk, and ye are parting one from another, and are envious one of another, and (so it cometh) that ye are not in harmony, my sons, each with his brother. 27. For I see, and behold the demons have begun (their) seductions against you and against your children, and now I fear on your behalf, that after my death ye will shed the blood of men upon the land, and that ye, too, will be destroyed from the face of the land.

Enoch 15:1-11

15:1 And He answered and said to me, and I heard His voice: ‘Fear not, Enoch, thou righteous man and scribe of righteousness: approach hither and hear my voice. 2. And go, say to ⌈⌈the Watchers of the heavens⌉⌉, who have sent thee to intercede ⌈⌈for them: “You should intercede”⌉⌉ for men, and not men for you: 3. Wherefore have ye left the high, holy, and eternal the heavens, and lain with women, and defiled yourselves with the daughters of men and taken to yourselves wives, and done like the children of land, and begotten giants (as your) sons? 4. And though ye were holy, spiritual, living the eternal life, you have defiled yourselves with the blood of women, and have begotten (children) with the blood of flesh, and, as the children of men, have lusted after flesh and blood as those ⌈also⌉ do who die and perish. 5. Therefore have I given them wives also that they might impregnate them, and beget children by them, that thus nothing might be wanting to them on land. 6. But you were ⌈formerly⌉ spiritual, living the eternal life, and immortal for all generations of the world. 7. And therefore I have not appointed wives for you; for as for the spiritual ones of the heavens, in the heavens is their dwelling. 8. And now, the giants, who are produced from the spirits and flesh, shall be called evil spirits upon the land, and on the land shall be their dwelling. 9. Evil spirits have proceeded from their bodies; because they are born from men, ⌈⌈and⌉⌉ from the holy Watchers is their beginning and primal origin; ⌈they shall be evil spirits on land, and⌉ evil spirits shall they be called. [10. As for the spirits of the heavens, in the heavens shall be their dwelling, but as for the spirits of the land which were born upon the land, on the land shall be their dwelling.] 11. And the spirits of the giants afflict, oppress, destroy, attack, do battle, and work destruction on the land, and cause trouble: they take no food, ⌈but nevertheless hunger⌉ and thirst, and cause offences. And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded ⌈from them⌉.

Ephesians 6:10-18

6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of Elohim, that you may be able to stand against the methodology of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the cosmic rulers of the darkness, and against the spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places.

Genesis 9:20-23

9:20 Noaḥ began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness.

Genesis 31:32-35

Anyone you find your elohim with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them. 33 Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two maids; but he didn’t find them. He went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt around all the tent, but didn’t find them. 35 She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He searched, but didn’t find the teraphim.

Exodus 20:24-26

20:24 You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you. 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. 26 You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your [indecency].^(LXX) may not be exposed to it.

Exodus 22:19

22:19 Whoever lies down with a beast shall surely be put to death.

Exodus 28:42-43

28:42 You shall make them linen undergarments  to cover over the flesh of [indecency].^(LXX). They shall reach from the waist even to the thighs. 43 They shall be on Aaron and on his sons, when they go in to the Appointed Tent, or when they come near to the altar to minister in the holy place, that they don’t bear iniquity, and die. This shall be a statute forever to him and to his seed after him.

Leviticus 15:24

15:24 If any man lies with her, and her new moonly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed he lies on shall be unclean.

Leviticus 18:1-30

18:1 YHWH said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am YHWH your Elohim. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4 You shall do my judgments. You shall guard my statutes and walk in them. I am YHWH your Elohim. 5 You shall therefore guard my statutes and my judgments, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am YHWH [your Elohim].^(LXX) 6 None of you shall approach any near kin of his flesh, to uncover their [indecency]^(LXX) I am YHWH. 7 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your father, nor the [indecency]^(LXX) of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her [indecency].^(LXX) 8 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your father’s wife. It is your father’s [indecency].^(LXX) 9 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, born at home or born abroad. Their [indecency]^(LXX) you shall not uncover. 10 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their [indecency];^(LXX) for theirs is your own [indecency].^(LXX) 11 [You shall not uncover]^(LXX) the [indecency]^(LXX) of your father’s wife’s daughter, brought forth by your father, since she is your sister, you shall not uncover her [indecency].^(LXX) 12 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kin. 13 You shall not uncover the [indecency].^(LXX) of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kin. 14 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt. 15 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her [indecency].^(LXX) 16 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s [indecency].^(LXX) 17 You shall not uncover the [indecency]^(LXX) of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her [indecency].^(LXX) They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness. 18 You shall not take a woman to her sister as an enemy to uncover her [indecency]^(LXX) while her sister is still alive. 19 You shall not approach a woman to uncover her [indecency],^(LXX) as long as she is separate by her uncleanness. 20 You shall not give copulation for seed to your fellow’s wife, and be unclean with her. 21 You shall not give your seed to be made to cross over to [Moloch].^(LXX) You shall not profane the name of your Elohim. I am YHWH. 22 With a male you shall not lie on a woman’s bed, it is detestable. 23 And with any beast you shall not give your copulation for uncleanness with it, and a woman shall not stand before a beast to be squared on hands and knees. This is perversion. 24 Don’t make yourselves unclean in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you are unclean. 25 The land was unclean. Therefore I counted its iniquity and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall guard my statutes and my judgments, and shall not do any of these detestable things; neither the native, nor the stranger who sojourns among you 27 for the men of the land that were before you had done all these detestable things, and the land became unclean, 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you. 29 For whoever shall do any of these detestable things, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall guard my charge, that you do not do any of these detestable statutes which were done before you, and that you do not make yourselves unclean with them [for]^(DSS) I am YHWH your Elohim.’ ”

Leviticus 20:1-27

20:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Moreover, you shall tell the sons of Israel, ‘Anyone of the [house]^(DSS) of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his seed to Molek shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone that person with stones. 3 I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his seed to Molek, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. 4 If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his seed to Molek, and don’t put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who whore after him to whore after Molek, from among their people. 6 The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to whore after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am YHWH your Elohim. 8 You shall guard my statutes, and do them. I am YHWH who sanctifies you. 9 For everyone who belittles his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has belittled his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon himself. 10 [The man who commits adultery with a man’s wife],^(LXX) the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. 11 The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s [indecency].^(LXX) Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves. 12 If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have done a perversion. Their blood shall be upon themselves. 13 If a man lies with a male on a woman’s bed, both of them have done a detestable thing. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves. 14 If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you. 15 If a man gives his copulation in a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal. 16 If a woman comes near a beast to be squared on hands and knees, you shall kill the woman and the beast. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. 17 If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her [indecency].^(LXX) and she sees his [indecency].^(LXX) it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s [indecency].^(LXX) He shall bear his iniquity. 18 If a man lies with a woman having her sickness, and uncovers her [indecency].^(LXX) he has made her fountain naked, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people. 19 You shall not uncover the [indecency].^(LXX) of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his near kin naked. They shall bear their iniquity. 20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s [indecency].^(LXX) They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless. 21 If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s [indecency].^(LXX) They shall be childless. 22 You shall therefore guard all my statutes and all my judgments, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 You shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am YHWH your Elohim, who has separated you from the peoples. 25 You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I, YHWH [your Elohim],^(LXX) am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be mine. 27 A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones. Their blood shall be upon themselves.’ ”

Numbers 25:1-17

25:1 Israel stayed in Shittim; and the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab; 2 for they called the people to the sacrifices of their elohim. The people ate and bowed down to their elohim. 3 Israel yoked himself to Baal Peor, and YHWH’s anger burned against Israel. 4 YHWH said to Moses, “Take the heads of the people, and hang them up to YHWH before the sun, that the fierce anger of YHWH may turn away from Israel.” 5 Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Everyone kill his men who have yoked themselves to Baal Peor.” 6 Behold, one of the sons of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they [began] weeping at the door of the Appointed Tent. 7 When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw, he rose up from the middle of the congregation, and took a spear in his hand. 8 He went after the man of Israel into the alcove, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the smiting was stopped among the sons of Israel. 9 Those who died by the smiting were twenty-four thousand. 10 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned my wrath away from the sons of Israel, in that he was zealous with my zeal among them, so that I didn’t consume the sons of Israel in my zeal. 12 Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace. 13 It shall be to him, and to his seed after him, the covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his Elohim, and made atonement for the sons of Israel.’ ” 14 Now the name of the man of Israel that was slain, who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a fathers’ house among the Shimonites. 15 The name of the Midianite woman who was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur. He was head of the people of a fathers’ house in Midian. 16 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, [“Speak to the sons of Israel saying,]^{(DSS + LXX)} 17 “Harass the Midianites, and strike them; 18 for they harassed you with their craftiness, wherein they have deceived you in the word of Peor, and in the incident regarding Cozbi, the daughter of the prince of Midian, their sister, who was slain on the day of the smiting in the word of Peor.”

Deuteronomy 18:9-14

18:9 When you have come into the land which YHWH your Elohim gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found with you he who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 11 or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to YHWH. Because of these abominations, YHWH your Elohim drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless with YHWH your Elohim. 14 For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, YHWH your Elohim has not allowed you so to do.

Deuteronomy 25:5-10

25:5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel. 7 If the man doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him. If he stands and says, “I don’t want to take her,” 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the face of the elders, and loose his sandal from off his foot, and spit in his face. She shall answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.” 10 His name shall be called in Israel, “The house of him who had his sandal removed.”

Deuteronomy 27:20-23

27:20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ 23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’ All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

Wisdom of Solomon 14:12-31

The Wisdom of Solomon, or Book of Wisdom, is a Jewish work, written in Greek, and most likely composed in Alexandria, Egypt. Generally dated to the mid first century BC. It is uncertain whether the book has a single author or comes from a school of writers, but recent scholarship has favored regarding it as a unified work. Fragments of the Wisdom of Solomon were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls in the first discovered and excavated cave at Qumran in 1949.

14:12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of sexual immorality, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 13 For they didn’t exist from the beginning, and they won’t exist forever. 14 For by the boastfulness of men they entered into the world, and therefore a speedy end was planned for them. 15 For a father worn with untimely grief, making an image of the child quickly taken away, now honored him as a god which was then a dead human being, and delivered to those that were under him mysteries and solemn rites. 16 Afterward the impious custom, in process of time grown strong, was kept as a law, and the engraved images received worship by the commandments of princes. 17 And when men could not honor them in face because they lived far off, imagining the likeness from afar, they made a visible image of the king whom they honored, that by their zeal they might flatter the absent as if present. 18 But worship was raised to a yet higher pitch, even by those who didn’t know him, urged forward by the ambition of the architect; 19 for he, wishing perhaps to please his ruler, used his art to force the likeness toward a greater beauty. 20 So the multitude, allured by reason of the grace of his handiwork, now consider an object of devotion him that a little before was honored as a man. 21 And this became an ambush, because men, in bondage either to calamity or to tyranny, invested stones and stocks with the Name that shouldn’t be shared. Afterward it was not enough for them to go astray concerning the knowledge of Elohim, but also, while they live in a great war of ignorance, they call a multitude of evils peace. 23 For either slaughtering children in solemn rites, or celebrating secret mysteries, or holding frenzied revels of strange customs, 24 no longer do they guard either life or purity of marriage, but one brings upon another either death by treachery, or anguish by adultery. 25 And all things confusedly are filled with blood and murder, theft and deceit, corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury, 26 confusion about what is good, forgetfulness of favors, ingratitude for benefits, defiling of souls, [changing of creation], disorder in marriage, adultery and lewdness. 27 For the worship of idols that may not be named is a beginning and cause and end of every evil. 28 For their worshipers either make merry to madness, or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or lightly commit perjury. 29 For putting their trust in lifeless idols, when they have sworn a wicked oath, they expect not to suffer harm. 30 But on both counts, the just doom will pursue them, because they had evil thoughts of Elohim by giving heed to idols, and swore unrighteously in deceit through contempt for holiness. 31 For it is not the power of things by which men swear, but it is the just penalty for those who sin that always visits the transgression of the unrighteous.

2 Kings 17:7-23

17:7 It was so because the sons of Israel had sinned against YHWH their Elohim, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other elohim, 8 and walked in the statutes of the nations whom YHWH cast out from before the sons of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. 9 The sons of Israel secretly did things that were not right against YHWH their Elohim; and they built high places for themselves in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; 10 and they set up for themselves pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree; 11 and there they burned incense in all the high places, as the nations whom YHWH carried away before them did; and they did wicked things to provoke YHWH to anger; 12 and they served idols, of which YHWH had said to them, “You shall not do this thing.” 13 Yet YHWH witnessed to Israel and to Judah, by every prophet and every seer, saying, “Turn from your evil ways, and guard my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.” 14 Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck like the neck of their fathers who didn’t believe in YHWH their Elohim. 15 They rejected his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he witnessed to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom YHWH had commanded them that they should not do like them. 16 They abandoned all the commandments of YHWH their Elohim, and made molten images for themselves, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and did obeisance all the army of the heavens, and served Baal. 17 They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in YHWH’s sight, to provoke him to anger. 18 Therefore YHWH was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19 Also Judah didn’t guard the commandments of YHWH their Elohim, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20 YHWH rejected all the seed of Israel, afflicted them, and delivered them into the hands of raiders, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21 For he tore Israel from David’s house; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam drove Israel from following YHWH, and made them sin a great sin. 22 The sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they didn’t depart from them 23 until YHWH removed Israel out of his sight, as he said by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

Ezekiel 22:1-12

22:1 Moreover YHWH’s word came to me, saying, 2 “You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her detestable things. 3 You shall say, ‘The Lord YHWH says: “[Woe]^(LXX) to the city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to make her unclean! 4 You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are unclean in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries. 5 Those who are near and those who are far from you will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult. 6 Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood. 7 In you have they made light of father and mother. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. 8 You have despised my holy, and have profaned my Sabbaths. 9 Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have done wickedness among you. 10 In you have they uncovered their fathers’ [shame].^(LXX) In you have they afflicted her who was unclean in her separation. 11 One has done a detestable thing with his neighbor’s wife, and another has wickedly made his daughter-in-law unclean. Another in you has afflicted his sister, his father’s daughter. 12 In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten me,” says the Lord YHWH.

Ezekiel 5:7-9

5:7 “Therefore the Lord YHWH says: ‘Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are around you, and have not walked in my statutes, neither have kept my judgments, neither have followed the judgments of the nations that are around you; 8 therefore the Lord YHWH says: ‘Behold, I, even I, am against you; and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations. 9 I will do in you that which I have not done, and which I will not do anything like it any more, because of all your abominations.

Ezekiel 18:5-9

18:5 “But if a man is righteous, and does judgment and righteousness, 6 and has not eaten on the mountains, hasn’t lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hasn’t defiled his neighbor’s wife, hasn’t come near a woman in her separation, 7 and has not wronged any, but has restored to the debtor his pledge, has taken nothing by robbery, has given his bread to the hungry, and has covered the naked with a garment; 8 he who hasn’t lent to them with interest, hasn’t taken any increase from them, who has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true justice between man and man, 9 has walked in my statutes, and has kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live,” says the Lord YHWH.

Ezra 9:10-15

9:10 “Now, our Elohim, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, 11 which you have commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land to which you go to possess is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness. 12 Now therefore don’t give your daughters to their sons. Don’t take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity forever, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your sons forever.’ 13 “After all that has come on us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since you, our Elohim, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such a remnant, 14 shall we again break your commandments, and join ourselves with the peoples that do these abominations? Wouldn’t you be angry with us until you had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant, nor any to escape? 15 YHWH, the Elohim of Israel, you are righteous; for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness; for no one can stand before you because of this.”

Matthew 14:3-4; Mark 6:18-20

Matthew 14:3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Mark 6:18 For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. 18 For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.

Mark 7:20-23

7:20 He said, “That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man. 21 For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, 22 covetings, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

Romans 1:18-32

1:18 For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from the heavens against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known of Elohim is revealed in them, for Elohim revealed it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity, that they may be without excuse. 21 Because knowing Elohim, they didn’t glorify him as Elohim, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and traded the glory of the incorruptible Elohim for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things. 24 Therefore Elohim also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves; 25 who exchanged the truth of Elohim for a lie, and did obeisance and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason, Elohim gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 28 Even as they refused to have Elohim in their knowledge, Elohim gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 30 backbiters, hateful to Elohim, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the ordinance of Elohim, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 13:11-14

13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light. 13 Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in beds and lewdness, and not in strife and zeal. 14 But put on the Lord Yeshua the Messiah, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

5:1 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even named among the Nations, that one has his father’s wife. 2 You are arrogant, and didn’t mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you. 3 For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. 4 In the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, when you are gathered together with my spirit with the power of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, 5 you are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua.

2 Corinthians 12:19-21

12:19 Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of Elohim we speak in Messiah. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, zeal, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots, 21 that again when I come my Elohim would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they committed.

Galatians 5:16-26

5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit Elohim’s Reign. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.

Ephesians 4:17-23

4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Nations also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of Elohim because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts. 19 They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you didn’t learn Messiah that way, 21 if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, even as truth is in Yeshua: 22 that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the bearded man that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, who in the likeness of Elohim has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

1 Peter 4:1-6

4:1 Therefore, since Messiah suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of Elohim. 3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Nations, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. 4 They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to Elohim in the spirit.

2 Peter 2:1-10, 17-22

2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. 2 Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. 3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber. 4 For if Elohim didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartaros, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for judgment; 5 and didn’t spare the ancient world, but preserved Noaḥ with seven others, a proclaimer of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the impious, 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example to those who would live in an impious way; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, being harassed by the unlawful ones in lewdness of behavior, 8 for that righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds: 9 the Lord knows how to deliver the pious out of trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of glories…17 These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm, for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. 18 For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lewdness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error; 19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Yeshua the Messiah, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” (cf. Proverbs 26:11) and “a bathed pig to wallowing in the mire.”

Jude 1:3-8

1:3 Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the holy ones. 4 For there are certain men who crept in secretly, even those who were long ago written about for this condemnation: impious men, turning the grace of our Elohim into lewdness, and denying our only Master, Elohim, and Lord, Yeshua the Messiah. 5 Now I desire to remind you, though you already know this, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who didn’t believe. 6 Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, having in the same way as these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are shown as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire. 8 Yet in the same way, these also in their dreaming defile the flesh, despise authority, and speak evil of glories.

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Some Solutions

Proverbs 4:23

4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.

Job 31:1

31:1 I cut a covenant with my eyes; how then should I look at a young woman?

Genesis 31:43-53 Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the sons are my sons, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their sons whom they have borne? 44 Now come, let us cut a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.” [And he said to him, “Look, there is no one with us; see, Elohim is witness between me and you.”]^(LXX) 45 Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Gal’ed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Gal’ed 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “[Elohim]^(LXX) watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, Elohim is witness between me and you.” 51 Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you. 52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Nahor, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac.

Matthew 5:29-30

5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you.
For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for 
your whole body to be cast into Gehinnom.
30  If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you.
For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for 
your whole body to be cast into Gehinnom.

Luke 4:1-12

4:1 Yeshua, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 Yeshua answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ” (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3) 5 The devil, leading him up on a high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 The devil said to him, “I will give you all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I want. 7 If you therefore will worship before me, it will all be yours.” 8 Yeshua answered him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ” (cf. Deuteronomy 6:13) 9 He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, cast yourself down from here, 10 for it is written, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’ 11 and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” (cf. Psalm 91:11-12) 12 Yeshua answering, said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” (cf. Deuteronomy 6:16) 13 When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time.

James 4:1-10

4:1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? 2 You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. 3 You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (cf. Proverbs 3:34) 7 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, 5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah, 6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience when your obedience is made full.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Corinthians 15:33

15:33 Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

Romans 12:1-3

12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to Elohim, your logical service. 2 And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, in the examining of yourselves in what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of Elohim. 

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Definitions

Heart

When not referencing the vital organ which pumps blood (cf. 2 Kings 9:24), לֵב lev (H3820) can literally be translated “authority of the house” in reference to the inward man’s (cf. Romans 7:22) mind, inclination, resolution, determination (of will), understanding, and conscience (cf. Genesis 6:5; Exodus 7:13; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17)

לֵב lev is equivalent to the Greek word καρδία kardia (G2588) which literally refers to the vital organ in the body that is the center of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life (e.g. “cardiac arrest” is the abrupt loss of heart function). When not literally referencing this vital organ, καρδία kardia refers to the center and seat of spiritual life; 1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, 2) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, 3) of the will and character (cf. Luke 11:39; Romans 7:22; 2 Corinthians 4:16).

Wife

אִשָּׁה ishah (H802) is translated as “woman” or “wife” from the root אִישׁ ish (H376) which means “man”. Equivalent to the Greek word γυνή gynē (G1135) which also translates as both “woman” or “wife”.

Covet / Lust

חָמַד chamad (H2530) means to want something that is pleasant out of desire or lust. חָמַד chamad comes from the root word cham which means “cheese” which was a delicacy in ancient times. חָמַד chamad is equivalent to ἐπιθυμέω epithymeō (G1937) which means to turn one’s heart upon a thing or to have a desire or longing for something (cf. Matthew 5:28; Romans 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:6)

Sin

חָטָא chatta (H2398) means to “to miss the target,” whether a literal target or a goal that is aimed for. חָטָא chatta comes from a root word that means “to measure with a cord.” In ancient Israel, cords were used for binding as well as measuring. As a measuring device, knots were placed incrementally then the cord was stretched between two points to measure and the knots were counted.

Zeal

Though commonly translated as “jealous”, קַנָּא qana (H7067) means “zeal” referring to a single-minded person insistent on reaching the desired outcome; one who is protective over someone or something. A root of is קַן qan (H7064) and means “nest”—”The parent bird will guard over and protect the nest and eggs from predators. Man can guard over the family, wife, and possessions in a positive way (protect from an enemy) or a negative way (by not trusting or a desire to have another’s possessions).” – Jeff Benner

Sexual Immorality

זָנָה zanah (H2181) literally means to be spread abroad. זָנָה zanah comes from the root זָנ zan (H2177, H2178) which means “different kinds” when referring to a storehouse (cf. Psalms 144:13), ointments (cf. 2 Chronicles 16:14), and music (cf. Daniel 3:7). זָנָה zanah is also connected with the word זִין ziyn (H2109, H2110) which means to feed on grain (cf. Jeremiah 5:8), fruit from trees (cf. Daniel 4:12), or food harvested from the crops or flock. Thus, fornication in a Hebraic sense can mean a person who spreads themselves abroad with various sexual activities in order to be fed. Some Bible dictionaries define זָנָה zanah to mean a person who is highly-fed and therefore wanton (sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships).

In Greek, πορνείας porneías (G4202) means to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another; to give one’s self to unlawful sexual intercourse. According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word pornography is from porne (G4204) “prostitute or harlot” who was originally bought or purchased + graphein (G1125) meaning “to write.” So, by definition, pornography is activity (writing or pictures or films etc.) of no literary or artistic value other than to stimulate sexual desire. During ancient times, pornography was obscene paintings, especially in temples of Bacchus, the pagan Greek god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre. The Greek word porneías is most often translated as “fornication” and modernly defined as sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. πόρνη porne (G4204) metaphorically means to be given to idolatry, to worship idols; to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry.

Guilty

אָשַׁם asham (H816 or H817) comes from the root שָׁמ sham which means “breath” and closely related to שֵּׁם shem (H8034) which means “name or character.” When referring to trespasses, אֲשָׁמ asham is a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penalty. It can refer to the state of one who has committed an offense, especially consciously, or one with a character (שֵּׁם shem) of wrongdoing. Brenton’s 1851 English Septuagint translates אָשַׁם asham as “transgressions” from the Greek word πλημμελήση which means “misdemeanor” in modern Greek. Outside of the Torah, the Greek Old Testament translates אֲשָׁמ asham as ἐπλημμέλησεν eplimmélisen; a word related to πλήκτης plíktis (G4131) which means bruiser, ready for a blow; a pugnacious, contentious, quarrelsome person (cf. 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7).

Afflicted

עָנִי aniy (H6041) means “afflicted” and is a person who is oppressed or depressed by affliction. עָנִי aniy comes from a root word which means “to watch” and is concretely represented as an eye in the sense that one who is oppressed or depressed forms a furrow between their eyes. עָנִי aniy is used 80 times in the Hebrew Bible and is most often translated as poor (58x) or afflicted (15x), three times as lowly (cf. Proverbs 3:34; Proverbs 16:19; Zechariah 9:9) and once as man (cf. Psalms 34:6).

Indecency

עֶרְוָה ‘erva (H6172) comes from a root word that means for one’s body to be bare or naked (cf. Isaiah 32:11; Nahum 3:5). עֶרְוָה ‘erva most often refers to pudenda (implying shameful exposure of a person’s external genitals, especially a woman’s), nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behavior. The equivalent in Greek is ἀσχημοσύνη aschēmosynē (G808) which means indecency, unseemliness, or an unseemly deed specifically of a person’s external genitals, especially a woman’s, or of one’s nakedness or shame. (cf. Leviticus 18:1-30; Leviticus 20:1-27)

Indecent Exposure in the United States

Every state in America has laws prohibiting people from committing indecent exposure or public lewdness. In general, if a person exposes their genitals or other private parts for sexual gratification or with the knowledge that others will be offended, they will be guilty of a crime.

In many states, the penalties for indecent exposure increase if a child is present or if a person has more than one conviction for indecent exposure. People with exposure convictions also can find themselves listed on their state’s sex offender registry, which can prevent them from getting certain jobs.

Lewdness

ἀσέλγεια aselgeia (G766) is a person who is promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters; sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationship; unbridled lust, excess licentiousness, lasciviousness, or wantonness. See Mark 7:22, Romans 13:13, 2 Corinthians 12:21, Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 4:19, 1 Peter 4:3, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:18, and Jude 1:4.

Abomination

תוֹעֵבָה to’ebah (H8441) means to hate something that is disgusting where the root of תוֹעֵבָה to’ebah literally means, “to hate.”

Seed of Copulation

שִׁכְבַת־זָרַע shichvat zara’ literally means “lying down of seed” and is translated as κοίτη σπέρματος koíti spérmatos in the Septuagint (LXX). Koíti spérmatos literally means “sperm bed” and is often translated as “marriage-bed or couch” throughout the Septuagint and Greek Old Testament when the context is copulation (cf. Genesis 49:4; Leviticus 15:4-5; Leviticus 15:16-17; Leviticus 18:20-23).

Nicolaus / Nicolaitans

The Greek name Νικόλαος Nicolaus (G3531) means “destruction of the people” and coincides with בִּלְעָם Bilam which means “Swallowing of the People”.

Nicolaus was a native of Antioch and a convert to Judaism (proselyte) and then a follower of Yeshua. When 1st century followers were still confined to Jerusalem, he was chosen by the whole multitude of the disciples to be one of the first seven deacons, and he was ordained by the apostles. (cf. Acts 6:5)

“Nicolaus, they say, had a lovely wife. When after the Saviour’s ascension he was accused before the apostles of jealousy, he brought his wife into the concourse and allowed anyone who so desired to marry her. For, they say, this action was appropriate to the saying: ‘One must abuse the flesh.’ … I am informed, however, that Nicolaus never had relations with any woman other than the wife he married, and that of his children his daughters remained virgins to their old age, and his son remained uncorrupted. In view of this it was an act of suppression of passion when he brought before the apostles the wife on whose account he was jealous.” (Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata 3.4).

4th century Catholic Bishop Epiphanius describes Nicolaus as gradually sinking into the grossest impurity, and becoming the originator of the Nicolaitans and other libertine Gnostic sects:

[Nicolas] had an attractive wife, and had refrained from intercourse as though in imitation of those whom he saw to be devoted to Elohim. He endured this for a while but in the end could not bear to control his incontinence… But because he was ashamed of his defeat and suspected that he had been found out, he ventured to say, “Unless one copulates every day, he cannot have eternal life.” (Epiphanius, Panarion, 25.1)

Revelation 2:6 But this you have (Assembly in Ephesus), that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against you (Assembly in Pergamum), because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 So also you likewise have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.