“In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
in the same flood of dissipation
“Flood” is an extremely high point on a scale of extent: excessive, extreme. Literally, “flood” means pouring forth or pouring out, then it came to mean wide stream. Classical Greek used this word of a tide that filled the pools lying off the beach. This is a negative excess. The fast crowd would do anything, such as the things listed in verse 3.
The word “dissipation” portrays debauchery, profligacy, prodigality, wastefulness. Literally, “dissipation” is “unsavedness.” Dissipated people have reached a point of incorrigibility (Ephesians 5:18; Titus 1:6). Therefore, they waste their life with profligacy and are prodigals. This word occurs three times in the New Testament and always refers to moral degradation.
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
“If a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (Titus 1:6).
This behavior shows a complete lack of concern for the consequences of actions. These people are reckless because they do not give thought to what they are doing. They are impulsive, and therefore, their behavior is senseless (Luke 15:13). The prodigal son lived without thinking of the consequences of his actions.
“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living” (Luke 15:13).
PRINCIPLE:
Radical living requires radical redress.
APPLICATION:
Some people operate in debauchery and give no thought to the consequences of that lifestyle. The fast crowd thinks the Christian is nuts to leave their wild parties.
It does not pay for us to become promiscuous because we will ultimately face the consequences of our actions. In our day, a consequence of debauchery is AIDS. There are other consequences, such as having a jaded soul, making it hard to trust others. If we do not trust other people, we end in isolation from wholesome relationships. The more jaded we become, the more difficult it will be to overcome. Make a decision right now to leave that life of debauchery. Radical living requires a radical decision.
