Saturday, August 14, 2010

Flee Sexual Immorality!




Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor. 6:18-20)

Christians are free to be all they can be for God, but they are not free from God. God created sex to be a beautiful and essential ingredient of marriage, but sexual sin - sex outside the marriage relationship - always hurts someone. It hurts God because it shows that we prefer following our own desires instead of the leading of the Holy Spirit. It hurts others because it violates the commitment so necessary to a relationship. It often brings disease to our bodies. And it deeply affects our personalities, which respond in anguish when we harm ourselves physically and spiritually.


Every sin that a man does is outside the body was another slogan used by the Corinthians to justify their immorality (1 Cor. 6:12-13). Paul pointed out that the opposite is true: sexual sin is done against the body, not outside of it. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to flee any temptation to indulge in sexual sin (Gen. 39:1–12).

Word Focus: Temple - (Gk. naos) (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21; Rev. 21:22) G3485: This Greek word for temple refers more to the building itself than hieron, which was used to indicate the entire temple complex. Paul told the believers that each one of their bodies was a naos, a sanctuary for God (1 Cor. 6:19). Paul also said that the church, as Christ’s body, is a spiritual temple for God (1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:21). What a special privilege it is to be God’s spiritual dwelling place, both individually and corporately. The glory of God filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34) and the temple (1 Kin. 8:10, 11). Now the glory of God in the person of the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer (John 14:16, 17) and thus inhabits the entire church. In the New Jerusalem, there will be no need for a physical temple because God and the Lamb will be the eternal temple (Rev. 21:22).

What did Paul mean when he said that our bodies belong to God? Many people say they have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies. Although they think that this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires. When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit fills and lives in us. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies.

"Bought at a price" refers to slaves purchased at auction.Christ's death freed us from sin, but also obligates us to His service. With His death Jesus Christ paid the cost to redeem us from our slavery to sin (Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). If you live in a building owned by someone else, you try not to violate the building's rules. Because your body belongs to God, you must not violate His standards for living.

Father God, it is my prayer that those believers that are having difficulties with sexual immorality, that they will repent of their sins and come back into fellowship with You. I pray this all in Jesus' name. Amen.

References: NKJV Holy Bible, Life Application Bible (NIV), and the Nelson Study Bible.

29 comments:

middle child said...

Well Said.

MTJ said...

Hi Lloyd,

Though many are ensnared in the grip of sin and no sin is greater than another, sex sins have damaging consequences. I remember the first time I read this passage of scripture and my first thought was of the things I would never do inside a church sanctuary. It helped me recognize the importance placed on glorifying God in my body.

As you indicated, "When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit fills and lives in us. Therefore, we no longer own our bodies."

Thanks for sharing an informative post that helps us see past our own wants to what God requires.

MTJ

Zoe Believer said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. Thanks for this post..a timely encourager..

Nate Cook said...

good to see someone else preaching the truth. be blessed

your Brother in Christ.

Nate

RCUBEs said...

I pray many will come by as this world seems to tolerate more and more sins, including sexual immorality.

Thank you bro. Lloyd for your prayers and encouragement. Feeling better but the aches and pains on my shoulders are on and off, coupled with my chronic pain on my neck that got injured in 1997. The only "up side" is that this pain is making me go more to His feet of mercy. Have a blessed week and praying over you for the Lord to bless you and your family more. Praying for His comfort to continue to heal and strengthen your heart...

The Warrior said...

Inside/outside the body...good point!

Titus 2 Thandi said...

Beautiful post again. This is one of those sins no-one (ok, very few) talks about.

Anonymous said...

Amen! We are the Temple of the LIVING HOLY SPIRIT...God! We must offer Him ourselves for cleansing from all unrighteousness. We must love Him more than the world!

Donald Fishgrab said...

Another really good post. Thanks for your comments.

Anonymous said...

Its a difficult world with online porn so readily available. And the way women dress today is a temptation for many. A timely post for any day of the week.

Stephen Tremp

Red Letter Believers said...

As men, we are simply not equipped to stand and fight this kind of temptation.

Instead of duking it out, we should run fast.

Nadwrażliwiec said...

In the past, when I was teenager, I didn't believe in words of Bible. I thought in this way: Bible? Jesus? They are only stories made up by priests... When I converted, then I started see many wise and practice words in the Word of God, I believed that this is real Holy Scripture. Yes, we should avoid immorality. Sexual sins make milions people unhappy and injuried. God bless You Lloyd.

Toyin O. said...

Good word!

check out my blog at http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com

Make a Joyful Noise all ye Lands said...

First time I have seen your blog. Great post.
May the Lord continue to fill you with HIS insight into the scriptures and may you conintue to have the courage to share HIS truths.
Blessings,
Virginia

My blog is private here is my e-mail will have to share your e-mail if you would like to read and post comments on my blog. I would love to here your insights.. Landsfamily@comcast.net

Tiffany said...

Great Post! This was something I struggled a great deal with in the past...and it is a blessing to read your posts.Thank you :)

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

I want to thank each one of you for your visits and comments. In today's world sexual immorality is becoming the norm. As believers we need to take a stand against ALL sin and show the world that we do not condone nor approve of such conduct. God's blessings. Lloyd

Brad Lewis said...

Lloyd-
I am now following your Blog. Thanks for following mine (http://bigcloudmusic.blogspot.com)

-Brad

Teresa said...

Great post!

Glory to God said...

Lloyd -

This subject is especially personal to me. I struggled with sexual sin and still to this day know that if I give into my flesh, I could easily spiral down to the lowest depths of this abyss.

For men, I truly believe accountability to each other is necessary. I used to think on my own I could handle the thoughts of lust. And I generally failed. But when I got into an accountability group with men who hold me accountable to my thoughts and actions, I find myself stronger spiritually. We pray for each other. I do believe God uses this to help each other.

I certainly do not want to commit sexual immorality for many reasons. But most of all because of what Jesus has done for me.

Great post! Thanks for sharing what is important in our walk with Christ! God bless!

Lou said...

"Although they think that this is freedom, they are really enslaved to their own desires."-- This is so true Lloyd, and well written.

Thanks so much for the encouraging comment on my blog and for the prayers. They have worked! :)

Lou

Denise said...

Amen.

Ana Cristina said...

Thanks for your visit. Wish you a happy ad blessed weekend!
Cheers!

Unknown said...

Marriage an earthly invention. Our bodies fit perfectly with others for a reason. I disagree that you have to put yourself into a socially binding contract to love another. Physically or Mentally love is a free and amazing practice. Without Sex, and pleasure. Who would we be.

It is a sin against your body and mind to resist the urge to feel anothers warmth and sexuality whether in or out of a "marriage"

Solid Rock or Sinking Sand said...

Uneater - Thank you for your visit. Marriage requires love and commitment and is blessed by God. Marriage is not an earthly invention… it is one of the many blessings from God. The Bible is very clear that sex outside of marriage is a sin. Thank you again for your visit and may the Spirit of God work on your heart and soul. Blessing too you.

Anonymous said...

I like the song entitled ALL THE POWER YOU NEED by Hillsong. I have started to learn to appreciate the importance of this phrase "All the Power You Need" only when I was finally able to break out of the sin of the flesh. Indeed, God, through the Holy Spirit has given us all the power we need to defeat the sins of the flesh. It is only up to us to claim this power and defeat the works of Satan through our flesh. In my case, it took me 14 years from the time of my conversion up to the present when I have finally been able to harness this power of the Holy Spirit and became victorious over the sin of the flesh.

Anonymous said...

Very nicely put. It's nice to see a Christian so true to their faith & able to talk about the things everyone avoides. God Bless you.

WORLASI said...

Amen!!!!!

Gbemisoke said...

"Christians are free to be all they can be for God, but they are not free from God."
This is so true. Thanks for the word in season.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.

www.gbemisoke.blogspot.com

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