Washing Our Robes

As we learn the elementary teachings, we must understand what sin is according to the Word of God. If we do not know what sin is, how can we repent from it? It is essential to know the difference between the works of the flesh—also called dead works or sin practices—and the fruit of the Spirit. Scripture also refers to the fruit of the Spirit as the fruit of righteousness or good works.

We must learn what is pleasing to God from His Word, not from culture—even if we believe we are living within a “Christian” culture. The culture of the world is constantly changing and varies from place to place, as does “Christian” culture, but God’s Word never changes. What God calls sin does not shift with cultural trends or geographic location.

Today, many people no longer know what sin is. It is rarely spoken of, and the consequences of sin are often ignored. Scripture tells us that lawlessness will increase in the last days. Therefore, as disciples of Jesus, we must be sure that we understand what sin is so that we can truly repent—cut it out of our lives—and live holy and pure lives. Jesus Himself tells us in Mark 9 to cut sin out of our lives.

If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched
Mark 9:43-48 NASB® 1995

We are called to grow up into maturity and to declare this good news to others. This good news comes with promises that help us learn how to master sin. This means we will not be practicing sin in our lives. Sin can and must be mastered. This is not optional in the life of a disciple of Jesus.

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1-2 NASB® 1995

We will examine many scriptures that help us understand what dead works/sins are. Sin is also known as bad fruit that is produced from living in the flesh. Bad fruit/sin is produced when we live to fulfill our own lustful desires and not God’s desires.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
James 1:14-15 NASB® 1995

Be encouraged that whatever sin you may have in your life God will give you a way of escaping it if you will seek Him for help. In 1 Corinthians Paul gives us insight into this.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB® 1995

James tells us to ask God for wisdom. We must ask Him for help to know how to get through a test or temptation without sinning against God or against others. He will show us how to cut sin out of our lives and will provide a way of escape from the snare of the devil.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-8 NASB® 1995

In many of the passages below, Scripture contrasts the sinful practices of the unrighteous person with the practices of a righteous person—one who lives to please God. The righteous person is filled with the Holy Spirit and walks in daily obedience to the Word of God. As you read through the lists of sinful practices, you will be faced with a choice: to believe the Word of God or to hold on to the sin. This is where you must choose to place your faith in God rather than in your own thoughts and opinions. This may require you to repent because of unbelief in what the Word of God says, and/or to repent in areas of your life that you have not fully submitted to what the Word of God says.

I encourage you to pause and pray as you read these Scriptures, asking the Holy Spirit to convict you of any sin in your life. Take time to look carefully at the words and their meanings, and allow God to reveal any areas where these practices may be present in your own life.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
1 John 1:6 NASB® 1995

“practice”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “practice” in Greek is the word poieō (4160) which John uses in 1 John multiple times. The Greek word poieō definition is: to make, to do, to act, to cause, to work
“practice”: to do or perform often, customarily, or habitually; to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient; to train by repeated exercises; to do repeated exercises for proficiency; to pursue a profession actively; suggests an act or method followed with regularity and usually through choice - Merriam-Webster

This is why it is so important to learn what God says is sin—so that we do not continue to practice it.

Washing Our Robes

Below are many verses that paint a clear picture of what sin is and what must be removed from our lives. As you read through them, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and reveal anything that needs to be removed. I pray that you learn how to wash your robes, as described in Revelation 7:14, and that, as Daniel 12:10 declares, you may be purged, purified, and refined.

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:13-14 NASB® 1995

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Revelation 22:14-15 NASB® 1995

Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Daniel 12:10 NASB® 1995

As you go through these passages, I encourage you to examine the fruit that comes from the flesh and the fruit that comes from the Spirit of God. The fruit you produce reveals who you are abiding in—light or darkness. I encourage you to cross-reference these verses, make a list comparing the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of the flesh, and examine yourself as you dig into Scripture.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:19-26 NASB® 1995

“When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 NASB® 1995

The phrase “makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire” in Deuteronomy 18:10 may seem unthinkable to us—we may say we would never do such a thing. Yet the reality is that they were sacrificing their children in order to fulfill the lustful desires of their own hearts, rather than seeking what God desired for their lives and trusting Him to have His way.

In many ways, sacrificing our children is something our culture does every day. Our culture does not emphasize training children in righteousness; instead, it trains us to give up our time with them by promoting materialism—bigger houses, better cars, career advancement, more possessions, entertainment, and constant activities for both children and parents.

Ultimately, it is a form of sacrifice—not toward God, but toward the world. Rather than training children in righteousness, it trains them to love the world. (See Deuteronomy 6:7 for how to train children in righteousness)

Here are definitions from Deuteronomy 18.

“witchcraft” Lexicon in Biblehub: “witchcraft”: The Hebrew word ʿānan (6049) means: To practice soothsaying, to conjure, to observe times.
”witchcraft”: a: the use of sorcery or magic b: communication with the devil or with a familiar. - Merriam-Webster

“omens”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Hebrew word nāhaš (5172) means: To practice divination, to observe signs, to enchant
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: certainly, divine, enchanter, use enchantment, learn by experience, diligently observe. A primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate -- X certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) X enchantment, learn by experience, X indeed, diligently observe.

“sorcerers” Lexicon in Biblehub: “Sorcerers”: Hebrew word kāšap (3784) which means: To practice sorcery, to use witchcraft
“sorcery”: the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits, especially for divining: Necromancy - Merriam-Webster

So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the fees for divination in their hand; and they came to Balaam and repeated Balak’s words to him. He said to them, “Spend the night here, and I will bring word back to you as the Lord may speak to me.” And the leaders of Moab stayed with Balaam. Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent word to me, ‘Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the land; now come, curse them for me; perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them out.’” God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”
Numbers 22:7-12 NASB® 1995

“divination”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Divination” in Greek is the word qecem (7081) and it means Divination, witchcraft, soothsaying
“divination”: the practice of seeking to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

1 John tells us this:

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives Forever.
1 John 2:15-17 NASB® 1995

We must be very aware that we are to take NO part in these things. We are not to expose ourselves or our children to any of these things.

Samuel said, “Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”
1 Samuel 15:22-23 NASB® 1995

“rebellion”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Hebrew word for “rebellion” is meri (4805) and it means rebellious, rebellion, rebellious man
“rebellion”: opposition to one in authority or dominance, open, armed, and usually unsuccessful defiance of or resistance to an established government, an instance of such defiance or resistance - Merriam-Webster

“Insubordination”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “Insubordination” in Hebrew is Pāsar (6484); To press, urge, insist.
Brown-Driver-Briggs: to display pushing (i.e. arrogance, presumption)

The definition of Presumption is an idea that is taken to be true and often used as the basis for other ideas, although it is not known for certain. - American Heritage® Dictionary

1. Behavior or attitude that is boldly arrogant or offensive; effrontery: She was offended at the stranger's presumption in speaking in such an casual manner.
2. The act of presuming or accepting something as true: the presumption of innocence of the accused
3. A condition or basis for accepting or presuming something.
4. Law A conclusion applied by law as to the correctness of some fact, ordinarily subject to rebuttal by contrary evidence.

“idolatry”: American Heritage® Dictionary

1. Worship of idols.
2. Blind or excessive devotion to something.

Be aware, scripture tells us that insubordination/presumption is the same as idolatry. We need to search the scriptures so we learn the mind and heart of God. We should never presume that our lives are pleasing to him. We need to examine His Word and examine ourselves.  

Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.
Ezekiel 16:49-50 NASB® 1995

“arrogance”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Hebrew word for “arrogance” is ga'own (1347) and means Pride, majesty, exaltation, arrogance
“arrogance”: means an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions - Merriam-Webster.

In other words, arrogance is an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people.

“haughty”: blatantly and disdainfully proud: having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior - Merriam-Webster

“abomination”: Lexicon in Biblehub: In Hebrew the word “abomination” is tôʿēbah (8441) it means a disgusting thing, abomination.
“abomination”: something regarded with disgust or hatred, extreme disgust and hatred - Merriam-Webster

“But if a man is righteous and practices justice and righteousness, and does not eat at the mountain shrines or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, or defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her menstrual period⁠— if a man does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing, if he does not lend money on interest or take increase, if he keeps his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between man and man, if he walks in My statutes and My ordinances so as to deal faithfully⁠—he is righteous and will surely live,” declares the Lord God.
Ezekiel 18:5-9 NASB® 1995

“oppress”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Hebrew word for “oppress” is yanah (3238) and means To oppress, to wrong, to extort.
“oppress”: to crush or burden by abuse of power or authority, to burden spiritually or mentally: weigh heavily upon - Merriam-Webster

I encourage you to reflect on what people did at the mountain shrines. Often, we say, “I don’t worship idols. I don’t do the things they did.” But honestly consider these questions:

  • Do you seek others for help before seeking God’s heart and mind in every situation?

  • Do you rely on Him for help, or do you look elsewhere for what you need?

  • Do you wait patiently for His answers, or do you become impatient?

  • Do you move forward doing what you want because you do not hear anything and do not want to wait?

But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
James 4:16 NASB® 1995

“arrogance”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word for “arrogance” is alazoneia (212) and means: Boastfulness, arrogance, pride
THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON: c. an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthly things, (R. V. vaunting): James 4:16 (where the plural has reference to the various occasions on which this presumption shows itself; (cf. Winers Grammar, § 27, 3; Buttmann, 77 (67))); τοῦ βίου, display in one's style of living, (R. V. vainglory), 1 John 2:16.

In our world today, there are many systems, safeguards, and security measures we lean on for help and protection—often without realizing that we are no longer looking to God as our source of help and protection. These things of the world can easily become idols that need to be removed from our lives.

What I have learned is this: if you believe you cannot remove something from your life, or you are unwilling to let it go, then it has become an idol to you.

Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:4 NASB® 1995

“idols”: Lexicon in Biblehub: This Hebrew word for “idols” here is ʾĕlîl (457) the definition is: Idol, worthless thing

Please consider whether or not you tend to turn to any of those options before going to God. If you do, ask Him what He wants you to do in the situation you are facing. It is vitally important that we always go to God first before seeking answers from anyone else—no matter the spiritual gifts or knowledge that person may have.

In Deuteronomy, we see that God allows gifted individuals to test His people, to reveal whether they love Him more than the person or the gift itself.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 NASB® 1995

And He said, “See to it that you are not misled; for many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not go after them.
Luke 21:8 NASB® 1995

In Luke, Jesus warns that many will come in His name, saying, “I am He.” This may seem obvious, and many of us might think, I would never follow someone who claims to be Jesus. However, First John 4:1 instructs us to test the spirits we hear, because many false prophets have gone out into the world and are listening to false spirits. To follow false teaching or false teachers is sin.

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1 NASB® 1995

See more on Testing the Spirits. We must be aware that just because you hear a voice, it doesn’t mean that voice is from God. Satan lures people away into sin, and he uses people to lead others away.

Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying, “Thus has the Lord of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’ But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts; “but I scattered them with a storm wind among all the nations whom they have not known. Thus the land is desolated behind them so that no one went back and forth, for they made the pleasant land desolate.”
Zechariah 7:8-14 NASB® 1995

These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love perjury; for all these are what I hate,’ declares the Lord.”
Zechariah 8:16-17 NASB® 1995

“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth and unrighteousness was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many back from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 2:5-8 NASB® 1995

“Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:5 NASB® 1995

“adulterers”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “adulterers”: Hebrew word nāʾap (5003), which means: To commit adultery
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: adulteress, committing adultery, woman that breaks wedlock. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize -- adulterer(-ess), commit(-ing) adultery, woman that breaketh wedlock.

And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
Mark 7:20-23 NASB® 1995

“wickedness”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “wickedness”: Greek word ponēria (4189): Wickedness, evil, malice.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Romans 1:18-32 NASB® 1995

“depraved”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “depraved”: Greek word adokimos (96/96b): Disqualified, unapproved, rejected, worthless

“greed”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “greed”: Greek word pleonexia (4124): Greed, covetousness.
HELPS Word-studies: 4124 pleoneksía (a feminine noun derived from 4119 /pleíōn, "numerically more" and 2192 /éxō, "have") – properly, the desire for more (things), i.e. lusting for a greater number of temporal things that go beyond what God determines is eternally best (beyond His preferred-will, cf. 2307 /thélēma); covetousness (coveting).

“deceit”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “deceit”: Greek word dolos (1388): Deceit, guile, treachery
HELPS Word-studies: 1388 dólos – properly, bait; (figuratively) deceit (trickery) using bait to alure ("hook") people, especially those already festering in excessive, emotional pain (brought on by themselves).
1388 /dólos ("deceit motivated by guile") uses decoys to snare (deceive) people which implies treachery to exploit the naive (undiscerning) – baiting them through (with) their own greed.

These deceitful people are full of snares—using bait to get what they want. They are crafty and deceptive, having learned to manipulate others to achieve their desires.

“malice”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “malice”: Greek word kakoetheia (2550): Malice, wickedness, ill-will.
HELPS Word-studies: 2550 kakoḗtheia (from 2556 /kakós, "an evil, vicious disposition" and 2239 /ēthos, "custom") – a malicious disposition (character) that fosters and fondles evil habits. 2550 /kakoḗtheia ("malignity") inevitably shows itself in acts of deceit (treachery) – i.e. what is characteristic of " 'evil-mindedness' that puts the worst construction on everything" (Souter).

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10 NASB® 1995

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
Romans 13:13-14 NASB® 1995

“carousing”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “carousing” is the Greek word for kómos (2970): Revelry, carousing, orgy
HELPS Word-studies: 2970 kṓmos (originally, village-merrymaking that took place at the gathering of the grapes, Souter) – a riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality; hence, revelings (debauched "partying").
“carousing”: The English definition for “carousing” is to drink liquor freely or excessively, to take part in a carouse, engage in dissolute behavior - Merriam-Webster

“sensuality”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “sensuality”: Greek word aselgeia (766) means: Licentiousness, debauchery, sensuality, lewdness

  • licentious: lacking legal or moral restraints, especially: disregarding sexual restraints. marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness

    The Shared Roots of License and Licentious

    License and licentious come ultimately from the same word in Latin, licentia, whose meanings ranged from "freedom to act" to "unruly behavior, wantonness." The Latin noun was itself derived from the verb licere" to be permitted." Though we are likely to associate license with the card that grants freedom or permission to operate a motor vehicle and licentious with sexual wantonness, in actuality, there is considerable semantic overlap between the two words. Poetic license refers to deviation from a (usually) literary norm for some purposeful effect. A person who takes license with something (or someone) engages in "abusive disregard for rules of personal conduct." Hence, the semantic range of license in English mirrors that of its Latin antecedent, suggesting either permission or transgression, depending upon the context.  Licentious, on the other hand, always implies excessive, transgressive freedom, as is true of its immediate Latin source, licentiosus" unrestrained, wanton" (literally, "full of freedom"). - Merriam-Webster

“strife”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “Strife”: Greek word eris (2054): Strife, discord, contention
HELPS Word-studies: 2054 éris (a primitive word, NAS dictionary) – literally quarrel, strife; properly, a readiness to quarrel (having a contentious spirit), affection for dispute.

“strife”: 1. a: bitter sometimes violent conflict or dissension b: an act of contention 2. exertion, or contention for superiority - Merriam-Webster

  • contention - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

    1. a struggling together in opposition; strife; conflict.

    2. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest.

    3. strife in debate; dispute; controversy.

    4. a point contended for or affirmed in controversy.

“jealousy”: Lexicon in Biblehub: jealousy”: The Greek word is zélos (2205): Zeal, jealousy, ardor, fervor.

I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler⁠—not even to eat with such a one.
1 Corinthians 5:10-11 NASB® 1995

“immoral person”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “immoral person”: is the Greek word pornos (4205) it means: fornicator, sexually immoral person

  • fornicator: to commit fornication: to engage in consensual sexual intercourse with someone to whom one is not married - Merriam-Webster

“covetous”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “covetous”: Greek word pleonektēs (4123): Covetous person, greedy person.
“covetous”: 1: marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. 2: having a craving for possession - Merriam-Webster

“swindlers”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “swindlers”: Is the Greek word harpax (727): Rapacious, ravenous, extortioner, robber
“swindle”: to obtain money or property by fraud or deceit, to take money or property from by fraud or deceit - Merriam-Webster

Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:7-10 NASB® 1995

“effeminate”: Lexicon in Biblehub: “effeminate”: Greek word malakos (3120): to the touch: of clothing, Of persons and their mode of living; mild, gentle, soft, effeminate
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: effeminate, soft. Of uncertain affinity; soft, i.e. Fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite -- effeminate, soft.

  • malakos (3120): This word is only used in the scripture three times in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and two other times when Jesus asks questions of the crowds about John the Baptizer in regards to his lifestyle.

“effeminate”: 1: having feminine qualities untypical of a man: not manly in appearance or manner. 2: marked by an unbecoming delicacy or overrefinement - Merriam-Webster

As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet.
Matthew 11:7-9 NASB® 1995

The word “soft” is the Greek word malakos (3120). Jesus explains that John was not living a soft life—dressed in fine clothing, surrounded by luxury, and free from testing or trials. We must examine our own lives and consider how we are living, because as true disciples of Jesus, we are not promised a malakos (soft, comfortable) life. Nor should we desire one. Our focus is obedience, not comfort.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
1 Timothy 3:12 NASB® 1995

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another
Galatians 5:16-26 NASB® 1995

“enmities”: 1. Deep-seated, often mutual hatred. 2. A feeling or state of hatred or animosity - American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

“outbursts of anger”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word thumos (2372): Wrath, anger, passion, fierceness, indignation

“disputes”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word is eritheia (2052): Selfish ambition, strife, rivalry.

“dissensions”: 1. strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord. 2. difference in sentiment or opinion; disagreement. - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

“factions”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The Greek word is ahiresis (139)": Sect, faction, heresy.

  • heresy: 1. a religious belief that is at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine of a church. 2. the maintaining of such a belief or doctrine. 3. the willful and persistent rejection of any belief that is part of church doctrine. 4. any belief or theory that is at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc. - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:33-37 NASB® 1995

“careless”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “careless” is the Greek word argos (692) and means: Idle, lazy, inactive
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: barren, idle, slow. From ‘a (as a negative particle) and ergon; inactive, i.e., Unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless -- barren, idle, slow
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: c. of things from which no profit is derived, although they can and ought to be productive; as of fields, trees, gold and silver, (cf. Grimm on Wis. 14:5; (Liddell and Scott, under the word I. 2)); unprofitable,ῤῆμα ἀργόν, by litotes equivalent to pernicious (see ἄκαρπος): Matthew 12:36.[SYNONYMS: ἀργός, βραδύς, νωθρός: ἀργός, idle, involving blameworthiness; βραδύς slow (tardy), having a purely temporal reference and no necessary bad sense; νωθρός sluggish, descriptive of constitutional qualities and suggestive of censure. Schmidt, chapter 49; Trench, § civ.]

  • “pernicious” adj. 1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous: a pernicious lie. 2. Obs. evil; wicked. - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

    • “insidious: adj. 1. intended to entrap or beguile: an insidious plan. 2. stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy. 3. operating or proceeding inconspicuously but with grave effect: an insidious disease. - Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary

To see more scripture about speech, see James 3:1-12, Titus 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, Proverbs 4:24, Isaiah 3:8, 2 Timothy 2:14-19, Proverbs 26:18-20, Proverbs 6:12, Titus 1:10-12, Ephesians 4:29-31, Ecclesiastes 5:6-7

So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you
Ephesians 4:17-32 NASB® 1995

“clamor”: Lexicon in Biblehub: Greek word kraugē (2906): Cry, shout, outcry.

“slander”: Lexicon in Biblehub: Greek word blasphēmia (988): Blasphemy, slander, defamation, reviling.
HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 988 blasphēmía (from blax, "sluggish/slow," and 5345/phḗmē, "reputation, fame") – blasphemy – literally, slow (sluggish) to call something good (that really is good) – and slow to identify what is truly bad (that really is evil). Blasphemy (988 /blasphēmía) "switches" right for wrong (wrong for right), i.e. calls what God disapproves, "right" which "exchanges the truth of God for a lie" (Ro 1:25). See 987 (blasphēmeō).

“malice”: Lexicon in Biblehub: Greek word kakia (2549): Wickedness, malice, evil, depravity.
HELPS Word-studies: Cognate: 2549 kakía (from 2554 /kakopoiéō, "a wicked disposition") – properly, the underlying principle of evil (inherent evil) which is present, even if not outwardly expressed.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-21 NASB® 1995

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
1 Timothy 1:8-11 NASB® 1995

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 NASB® 1995

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:3-5 NASB® 1995

“dissipation”: Lexicon in Biblehub: Greek word asōtia (810): Dissipation, debauchery, profligacy, reckless living.
HELPS Word-studies: 810 asōtía (from 1 /A "without" and 4982 /sṓzō, "save") – properly, what can't be saved (waste); (figuratively) prodigality, spiritual wastefulness due to excessive behavior and the dire consequences it brings.

  • profligate / profligacy: 1: wildly extravagant. 2: completely given up to dissipation and licentiousness: shamelessly immoral: a person given to wildly extravagant and usually grossly self-indulgent expenditure - Merriam-Webster

  • Prodigality: 1: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure: lavish or profuse 2: recklessly spendthrift - Merriam-Webster

“malign”: Lexicon in Biblehub: The word “malign” is the Greek word blasphēmeō (987): To blaspheme, to speak evil of, to slander, to revile

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
1 John 3:15 NASB® 1995

“hates”: The word hates is the Greek word miséō (3404): To hate, detest, abhor
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: From a primary misos (hatred); to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less -- hate(-ful).
HELPS Word-studies: 3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: - the signification to love less, to postpone in love or esteem, to slight, through oversight of the circumstance that 'the Orientals, in accordance with their greater excitability, are accustomed both to feel and to profess love and hate where we Occidentals, with our cooler temperament, feel and express nothing more than interest in, or disregard and indifference to a thing'; Fritzsche, Commentary on Romans, ii., p. 304; cf. Rückert, Magazin f. Exegese u. Theologie des N. T., p. 27ff

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:7-8 NASB® 1995

“cowardly”: Lexicon in Biblehub: Greek word deilos (1169): Cowardly, timid, fearful
HELPS Word-studies: 1169 deilós (an adjective derived from deidō, "fear-driven") – properly, dreadful, describing a person who loses their "moral gumption (fortitude)" that is needed to follow the Lord.

  • Fearful: 1: causing or likely to cause fear, fright, or alarm, especially because of a dangerous quality.2 a: full of fear - Merriam-Webster

Jesus tells us to fear only God.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:24-28 NASB® 1995

1 John tells us this.

We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
1 John 4:16-18 NASB® 1995

So, we are only to fear God, not man or demons.

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Revelation 22:14-15 NASB® 1995

Examine Fruit

We must test and examine our own lives so that we are not deceived into thinking we are in the faith when we may not be. We must look at the fruit our lives produce to see what kind of tree we are. Do we bear the fruit of the Spirit, or do we produce thorns and thistles? Often, this is revealed when we are placed under pressure. In the refiner’s fire, it becomes clear how much faith we truly have in God.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you⁠—unless indeed you fail the test?
2 Corinthians 13:5 NASB® 1995

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:7-10 NASB® 1995

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:1-5 NASB® 1995

I have listed passages of Scripture that contain many examples of sinful practices, though there is much more that can and should be studied. I encourage you to examine the fruit of your own life. Are you producing thorns and thistles, or the fruit of the Spirit of God?

I have also included definitions of many words to encourage you to dig deeper, ponder these sinful practices, and honestly examine your life. Today, there are many words used in Scripture that we no longer commonly use in our culture. Because of this, we often read past them, assuming they do not apply to us. Yet when we take the time to look at their meanings, we may find that we are actually living out the very things described.

This is why it is so important to study the meaning of words in Scripture—so that we can truly examine ourselves and align our lives with God’s truth.

We must test and examine ourselves. To study scripture, on examining yourself, read Test and Examine Yourself

To study scripture on mastering sin, read Sin & How To Master It

My prayer is that you wash your robes, and one day I will meet you, that we may be in the army of Joel 2 together.

References:

  • “Scripture quotations taken from the NASB® 1995 - New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org”

  • Lexicon: Biblehub.com

  • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Biblehub.com

  • THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

  • HELPS Word-studies taken from The Discovery Bible, available at discoverybible.com, copyright © 2021, HELPS Ministries Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon, Unabridged, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com

    • Hiph`il Infinitive absolute הַפְצַ֑ר 1 Samuel 15:23 to display pushing (i.e. arrogance, presumption; "" מֶ֔רִי; compare Dr).

  • "Entries taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE © Copyright 1981, 1998 by The Lockman Foundation.  Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org) 

  • American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

  • Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved

  • MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE (www.Merriam-Webster.com) copyright © 2012 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

    • “Abomination.”Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abomination. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Arrogance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrogance. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Carouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carouse. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Covetous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covetous. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

    • “Effeminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effeminate. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

    • “Fearful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fearful. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

    • “Fornicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fornicate. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

    • “Haughty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haughty. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Licentious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/licentious. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Oppress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oppress. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025

    • “Practice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/practice. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

    • “Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodigal. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

    • “Profligate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profligate. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

    • “Rebellion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebellion. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Sorcerer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorcerer. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

    • “Sorcery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sorcery. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Strife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strife. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Swindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swindle. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

    • “Witchcraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witchcraft. Accessed 9 May. 2025.

  • Insubordination

  • Presumption

  • Edited on 01/2026