Disclaimer:
This study is not intended or addressed to any specific person. We all struggle with this unique, vulnerable and venomous sin. It impacts all our lives and in some cases had a disastrous effect. The purpose is not to hurt anyone but to bring conviction and transformation in the lives of all of us thereby glorifying our LORD. It’s time for us to protect and fight against it. We as Christians should not be victims but victors. The sin that we are going to study about is the “greatest” (Gen 20:9) sin of…
Sexual Immorality
Introduction:
There are sins like lying, greed, pride, anger, malice, hatred etc but this sin is so distinct from all of them.
Sin that’s prevalent across all nations, culture and religion.
Sin that’s dominant among both genders especially among men.
Sin that’s rampant across all ages, rich and poor.
Sin that’s in our individual lives and families.
Sin that’s distinct from all other sin because of the spiritual component involved. It’s intimate, entangling and corrupting on the deepest human level.
Definition:
The Greek word is “Porneuo” (from which we get Pornography) which means to commit fornication. It’s not just about committing adultery but also to indulge in unlawful lusts or desires.
• In our times we don’t have to look for ways to indulge in it.
• It’s in the palm of our hands. Phones and Tablets have made it accessible whenever and wherever we want.
• We have magazines with improper images right in the cash counters to stare at, even emails or news websites that are considered to be safer have vulgarity in them.
• Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok friends publish things that pertain to it.
It’s not a matter of if we will fall but when we will fall. This sin is called “the great wickedness and sin against God” (Gen 39:9)
Does the Bible say anything about this sin?
You shall not commit adultery…you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife (Ex 20:14,17 – These 2 commandments protected the sacredness of the marriage relationship.)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. (Matt 5:27-30 – Jesus corrected the understanding of the 7th commandment. God is after the heart of a person)
Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality (porneuo). Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor 6:16-20)
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thess 4:3-8)
Is a Christian immune to this sin?
No, not at all. That’s the reason the Bible commands us against it. Just like we commit other sins, we are vulnerable to committing this too. Our sinful nature lures us to disobey God. Even David the “man after God’s own heart” committed this grave sin and Joseph, the son of Jacob was tempted to fall in this sin.
What are the effects or consequences of such a sin?
1. It destroys the purity or holiness of a Christian – his or her mind is filled with wrong images and imaginations, it’s corrupted.
2. It destroys the love that a husband and wife have for each other and turns it into lust – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25)
3. It destroys marriages because of the unfaithfulness to your spouse – Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”(Matt 19:8-9 – Biblically it’s allowed to divorce such a person though not commanded or encouraged. There’s always room for forgiveness and reconciliation)
4. It destroys the family which is the building block of society and so destroys the society as well.
5. It does not glorify God who created the institution of marriage – “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Gen 2:24)
6. It brings Divine discipline – “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” (Heb 12:5-6)
What are the ways to overcome?
1. Repent – Confess your sin to the Lord with the intention of not doing it again. Don’t say “the devil made me do it”. He just sits there with a hook to capture.
• “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” (Jam 1:14)
• “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Ps 51:3-4,10,12,16-17)
2. Take Action – “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12 – don’t be overconfident). “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal 6:1 – be vigilant)
1. Internal
• Meditate and Memorize God’s Word (Ps 119:9-11 – We are complacent in this)
• Meditate on things – true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, morally excellent ,trustworthy (Phil4:8)
• Pray without ceasing that you may not enter into temptation (Luke 22:40), “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13)
2. External
• Avoid being alone with a man or woman except your wife or husband, mom or sister or so.
• Avoid being alone in the computer or TV in a private secular area.
• Avoid going to places where the environment is ungodly like a bar, party or so.
• Avoid hanging out with a Christian who is involved in this kind of activity.
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” (1 Cor 5:11)
• Get married – “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” (1 Cor 7:8-9)
• Stay with your spouse and avoid being away for too long – “Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Cor 7:5)
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Heb 13:4)
• Remember Marriage is a Covenant with God as witness – “And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” (Mal 2:13-15)
• Associate with Godly men who care and correct you – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Prov 13:20)
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Gal 6:1)
As Jesus said adultery or any other sin is a matter of the heart, not just the outside behavior.
Be a Victor not a Victim!
