May 2004 chaplain's corner
The Chaplain's Corner is a monthly message for chaplains.
Chaplain's Corner - May 14, 2004
Rev. Rich Hines
Addressing and Helping The Criminal Mind, The Mind Set On Sin
This message is prepared especially for those in the United States that calls
upon the name of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior from sin, and serves
as a chaplain in a jail, prison or a follow-up ministry such as a rescue
mission. All Scripture quotes are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV),
copyright 1979,1980,1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
When quoting a text, any deviation from the NKJV text is
within parenthesis signs ( ). These usually occur as direct translations
from the original languages, or as notes from the
original setting, to help apply the text to today's culture. ALL CAPITAL
LETTERS are sometimes used to emphasize a text.
This month I want to speak to chaplains about understanding and helping the
true criminal mind. Really that mind to some degree, naturally apart from
Christ, is something all of us possess. In reality, the criminal mind is the
depraved mind set on sin. But for the grace of God, we would all be as bad as
the most notorious criminal. We all start out as God's criminal enemies.
I'll never forget how some years ago a certain inmate that wanted "to see
the chaplain" was brought to my office in the maximum-security facility. A
memorable meeting occurred. He came in with a Bible in hand, opened it up to 1 Timothy 1:8-10, and pointing to these verses said,
"Chaplain, will you read this section out loud?" I did. They say:
8 But we know that the law is good if anyone uses it lawfully,
9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the
lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and
profane, FOR MURDERERS OF FATHERS AND MURDERERS OF MOTHERS, FOR MANSLAYERS,
10 FOR FORNICATORS, FOR SODOMITES, FOR KIDNAPPERS, FOR LIARS, FOR PERJURERS,
and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
As I started to comment on the passage from its context, explaining the intent
of this passage is the right use of the law of God to show us we are sinners
rather than trying to be saved by keeping it, he stopped me. HE SAID,
"CHAPLAIN, I WANT YOU TO KNOW I HAVE COMMITTED EVERY SIN ON THAT
LIST!"
I HAVE CAPITALIZED THE SINS I UNDERSTOOD HE MEANT. He was admitting to the
murder of his parents and others, to being involved in sexual immorality
including homosexuality and to kidnapping and lying, even under oath in court,
which is perjury.
He was obviously under a weight of guilt, and wanting to know if there was any
hope for him before God.
It was my joy to be able to turn to Romans 5:20,21 and
explain to him the wonderful gospel of God's grace.
Romans 5:20,21
20 Moreover the law (of God) entered (human history) (so) that the offense
might abound (from the idea of an overflowing amount - to a hearers mind). BUT
WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE ABOUNDED MUCH MORE, (literally it
"super-overflowed")
21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through
righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Does the Bible, which is the authoritative word of the Eternal, Sovereign God,
give hope for forgiveness and new life from God to a person that has committed
murder? Yes! Even for those who are guilty of murdering their own parents, and
further plunged into the depths of sexual immorality to the point of homosexual
practice, and kidnap, and all forms of lying - even when under oath to tell the
whole truth, which is perjury?
The answer to both questions is YES! For even where heinous sin overflows,
God's grace only IN CHRIST, will much more literally super-overflow!
Another way to look at the passage in 1 Timothy 1:8-10
is to note that it is one of many "sin lists" in the New Testament.
Others include: Matthew 15:19,20; Mark 7:21-23; the passage condemning the
whole of mankind in Romans 1:26-32 and 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21 (the works of
the flesh contrasted to the fruit of the Holy Spirit); Ephesians 4:19-32;
Colossians 3:5-9 (the put off, put on passages); the passage in 2 Timothy 3:1-5
which speaks of the characteristic sins in the last days; 1 Peter 2:1 and 4:1-4;
and Revelation 21:8 which speaks of sins that keep people out of heaven.
Really, all of them do that.
This referencing of these twelve New Testament passages (including 1 Timothy
1:8-10) is not exhaustive, there are more, but these give us a reminder that
God takes all sin seriously.
Everything on these "sin lists" really is an aspect of rebellion
against the one true God and His Sovereignty. This is rebellion against His
holy right to set moral standards. All of the sins on these lists are really an
outworking of the chief sin, UNBELIEF. It is the one sin that sends people to a
Christless eternity in hell. Biblically, UNBELIEF
goes hand in hand with DISOBEYING God. To believe God is to obey Him. To
disobey Him is to disregard His word in unbelief.
Listen to the testimony of Paul - ANOTHER MAN GUILTY OF THE SIN OF MURDER and
of blasphemy, and of hatred that led to torture, and of pride.
1 Timothy 1:12-15
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor (and this sin included
murder), and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I DID IT ignorantly
IN UNBELIEF.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love,
which are in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF (the
foremost of all).
Faithful Bible teaching chaplains will make sure the inmates and residents
under their spiritual care come to grips with these sin list passages. They
ought to make sure that each one is encouraged to receive God's grace in Christ
as the ONLY WAY OF ESCAPE FROM THE PRACTICE OF THESE SINS AND HIS/HER ETERNAL
PUNISHMENT.
Just think about doing an in depth Bible study on each different sin listed in
all twelve passages! That could take a year! If done right it would bring
conviction from the Holy Spirit and offer real help to overcoming the sinful
habits and patterns your inmates and residents practice.
Now I want you to draw your attention to something in five of the twelve
passages I've referenced -
Mark 7:21-23 Jesus taught -
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
fornications, murders,
22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, LEWDNESS (KJV 'lasciviousness';
NASB 'sensuality'; NIV 'lewdness'), an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Romans 13:13,14 encouraging those who profess Christ -
13 Let us walk properly, as in a day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in
LEWDNESS (KJV 'wantonness'; NASB 'sensuality'; NIV 'debauchery') and lust, not
in strife and envy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to
fulfill its lusts.
Galatians 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, LEWDNESS, (KJV 'lasciviousness'; NASB 'sensuality'; NIV
'debauchery')
20 idolatry, sorcery (the use of drugs), hatred, contentions, jealousies,
outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissentions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like; of which I tell you
beforehand just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such
things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:19-32, talking about those lost in their sin in verse 19 -
19 ...who being past feeling have given themselves over to LEWDNESS, (KJV
'lasciviousness'; NASB 'sensuality'; NIV 'sensuality') to work all uncleanness
with greediness.
1 Peter 4:2,3 - speaking to the new man in Christ -
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts
of men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles - when we walked in LEDWNESS, (KJV 'lasciviousness'; NASB
'sensuality'; NIV 'debauchery') lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking
parties, and abominable idolatries.
Why have I picked these five passages? Because they all mention something the
NKJV translators render as LEWDNESS (KJV lasciviousness, wantonness).
Although it is obvious from its New Testament use, this word has to do with
twisted sexual sin. In it's contexts, it speaks of the
exhibitionist. Aspects of its sexual overtones are evidenced by some modern
rock stars and rap artists. It is shameless public sexual misbehavior. Some
inmates are incarcerated for exposing their private parts in public and other
aspects of this realm of lewdness.
What I want you to understand here is something that connects to the true
criminal mind. Behind the sexual misbehavior of lewd conduct, in whatever form
it takes, is a deeper attitude. That attitude is the basis of true criminal
thinking. Remember, all of us were criminals against God because we have broken
His law. The unsaved are still active breakers of God's law.
Think about this, the actual NT Greek word translated variously into English as
lewdness, lasciviousness, wantonness, sensuality, filthiness and debauchery -
is "aselgeia." The root meaning of this
word "aselgeia" is an ABSENCE OF RESTRAINT,
AN INSOLENT DISREGARD FOR DECENCY.
Whether in the realm of sexuality or any other area of life, this attitude of
"aselgeia" is the basis of the true
criminal mind. Not every incarcerated person has this mindset. Not everyone
with this attitude is currently incarcerated. But those that have it are a law
unto themselves. It means they have absolutely no moral brakes to stop them
from doing some criminal act, whenever they get the urge.
This controlling attitude (of absence of restraint) makes it easy for the
criminal to give in to any and every impulse. If they want something they take
it. If they are angry they attack. If they want to do the unthinkable they go
right ahead and do it with absolutely no sense of consequences.
I would be ignoring the clear teaching of Scripture if I didn't say Satan is
somehow behind this. 2 Timothy 2:26 speaks of those in opposition to God as
being in "the snare (trap) of the devil, HAVING BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM
TO DO HIS WILL."
One of the most frightening scenes in the Scriptural record is that of the Gadarene demoniac. He was demon possessed - and LEWD. Not
all lewd people are demon possessed, but this man was.
Mark 5:1-20
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.
2 And when He (Jesus) had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out
of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, (literally, 'in a spirit unclean' -
unclean here means gross filthy words and thoughts) (Luke 8:27 says "he
wore no clothes." - among other things, he was LEWD)
3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even
with chains,
4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had
been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could
anyone tame him. (This was not because he had done weight training, but on
account of supernatural demonic strength)
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying
out and cutting himself with stones. (Satan is interested in destruction of
physical human flesh. Today, interestingly we have a new fad of body piercing
and tattooing.)
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. (He prostrated himself
before Jesus.)
7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with
You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God that you do not
torment me." (this was a spokesman demon speaking through the man)
8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit! "
9 Then He asked him, "What is your name? " (Jesus asked this question
to teach the watching disciples a lesson about satanic operations) And he (the
demon) answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." (a Roman "legion" numbered 6,000 well trained,
organized men)
10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them (the legion of
demons) out of the country.
11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.
12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we
may enter them." (imagine the scene and sounds of
a legion of demons begging Jesus to be sent into the hogs!)
13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out
(from the man) and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the
herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
(So - there were at least 2,000 demons, possibly 6,000 with 3 per hog.)
14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the
country. And they (people from all around) went out to see what it was that had
happened.
A KEY VERSE -
15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and
had the legion, (they came to see the man that was the unrestrained, crazed,
nude, lewd, terrorist) SITTING (Luke 8:35 adds he was "sitting at the feet
of Jesus" - the position of a student listening to his teacher) AND
CLOTHED AND IN HIS RIGHT MIND. And they were afraid.
16 And those who saw it (the disciples) told them how it happened to him who
had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.
17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. (Although
Jesus may transform an areas most feared person, He's bad for sinful
businesses, so they'd prefer Him gone!)
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him
that he might be with Him.
19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your
friends, and tell them what great things the Lord (Luke 8:39 says
"God," so Jesus said the "Lord God" did this. But Jesus was
the One who did it. This stresses His Deity) has done for you, and how He has
had compassion on you."
20 And he departed and began to proclaim in
Here was a man that went from being a lewd demon possessed person to salvation
in one day. He changed from being a maniac to a missionary after his encounter
with the Christ.
Teach inmates and residents how Jesus alone has the power to deliver sinners
from the power of satanic forces and LEWDNESS. Christ alone is the one that can
deliver a person from a mind that is been given over to any impulse it feels -
without restraint. Jesus the Christ is the only answer for the criminal mind.
Note it again in verse 15 how he was found, "sitting and clothed and in
his right mind." He was found calm, not acting lewdly, and UNDER CONTROL.
Another related issue for those that keep getting arrested or end up behind
their sin on skid row is IRRESPONSIBILITY. This is part of the reason they seek
drugs. Yes, alcohol and drugs make a person irresponsible, but it is also
irresponsible to try to escape into them. As with lewdness, only Christ can
make an irresponsible person responsible and trustworthy. He alone can change
the "fool" described so often in the Proverbs, into a
"wise" man.
I trust approaching this issue in this way will help you to understand and help
the criminal mind. May God bless your ministry fro Christ.
Rich Hines
Minister To Chaplains,
"For the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ"