Uncovering Sexual Sin

In 1 Corinthians 6 Paul gives very sound words regarding sexual sin. As a pastor I have spoken with people again and again who have chosen sexual sin in their lives that has provided more negative consequences than they ever imagined; consequences that have lasted for decades. The Bible warns us of the dangers of sexual sin, even to the point where it is more dangerous and damaging than most other kinds of sin. Here are the words of Paul at the end of chapter 6: 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 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? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Paul’s first command is to flee from sexual immorality…run away from it. This would apply to actual physical sin and the watching of pornography. Our culture encourages sexual sin…normalizes it…even at times touts the benefits of it…but those encouragements are straight from the pit of hell. Sexual sin “sins against his own body”. There is an element of danger in sexual sin that transcends other sin such as theft or covetousness. Think of all the problems in our world that would simply go away if we were to wave a wand and eliminate sexual sin. Human trafficking would disappear. Much violence against women would go away. The economic and emotional cost of most unwanted pregnancies would vanish. The same would be true for many divorces and broken families. Abortions would trickle to almost none. But no magic wand is needed.   Rather, listening to the words of God would do the “trick”. For the follower of Jesus, Paul attaches a special danger to sexual sin, in that it is a sin against the body which no longer really belongs to the sinner, but belongs to Christ. So, sexual sin is a sin against the body which belongs to Christ…it’s not your body to sin with.

I implore you to flee sexual immorality; whatever your age and whatever your situation. Run away. Trust Jesus Christ to empower you to have victory. You won’t change the world’s behavior but you can obey the words of God for yourself and that will not only impact you but also those you love.