Do Not Be Deceived Into Immorality, Part 3
Thank you for reading the post today. When we have clear understanding of why we are given certain directives or commands, we find it can be much easier to obey. Holy Spirit, bring revelation and understanding to us today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Eric
The first thing I want to focus on today is answering the question: Why is the topic of morality/immorality so important to the Lord?
When we become God’s child by accepting the sacrifice of Christ, our spirit is translated from the kingdom of darkness and death into the kingdom of light and life. Our bodies become the habitat of the Holy Spirit. He lives inside us. We shared last week that we become one with the Godhead. (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Then, when we marry, we become one with our spouse. The act of intercourse symbolizes that union.
1 Corinthians 6:9,13b,15,16,18,19 and 20, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ... 13 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ... 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 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." ... 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 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, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the phrase ‘sexual immorality’ in verse 13 is translated from the Greek word, porneia meaning: illicit sexual intercourse. The root word for porneia is porneuo which means: to act the harlot (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), [harlotry includes adultery and incest], In verse 15, porue, translated ‘prostitute’ is: any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse whether for gain or for lust.
According to these verses in 1 Corinthians 6, when we have illicit sex, we are making our bodies one with a harlot! Verse 19 states that our body is the temple (habitat) of the Holy Spirit and we are to glorify God in our body, not drag Him along into our sin!
I cannot stress enough the seriousness of immorality in the world and in our lives.
At this point, I am going to share the definitions from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, of some of the words we will be seeing in this study.
The first phrase is: ‘Sexual immorality’ which is translated from the Greek word, porneia. Porneia means: illicit sexual intercourse and includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, incest, and having sex with animals.
‘Adultery’ (moicheia) is defined as sex with a married woman who is not your wife, or sex with a married man who is not your husband.
‘Fornication’ (porneia) means: to prostitute one’s body to the lust of another. It is defined as sexual intercourse between two unmarried people.
‘Homosexuality’ (arsenokoites) is defined as a male who lies with a male as with a female.
‘Lesbianism’ is homosexuallity between women.
‘Incest’ is having intercourse with any close relative. (Leviticus 18:6)
Having sex with animals is addressed in Leviticus 20:15 and 16 (NIV), “'If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he is to be put to death, and you must kill the animal. 16 " 'If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads”
Let’s look at 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5,7and 8, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; ... 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." ‘Sanctification’ means purification wrought by the Holy Spirit opposed to lust. These verses state very clearly that we are to abstain (keep yourself away) from sexual immorality. Then verse 8 states that if we reject this word, we are not rejecting man, but we are rejecting God.
This is a very significant statement. If we reject His Word, we are rejecting God! It is quite sobering to realize the value and importance of morality to God and thus the value and importance of our living by the Word of God. Sexual purity is important to the Lord.
How important is it? Ephesians 5:3-6, reads, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. We are to imitate God. Verse 3 lets us know that our names are not to be connected to these things, even to the point of our names not being in the same sentence with the words. Verse 5 reveals that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure has no inheritance in the kingdom of God. Then, in verse 6 we are told bluntly, “Let no one deceive you with “empty” words or words that are destitute of spiritual worth. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). As a reminder, I did not write the Scriptures, however the Lord is using me to warn you concerning the truth about morality, so that you can, with the Lord’s help, if necessary, consider the results of your lifestyle choices and make changes if needed.
If you have chosen to live a lifestyle that includes sexual sin, and continue in it, believing the lie, that it is okay and everyone is doing it, you have put your eternity in the presence of God at risk. The wonderful news is that if you confess your sin and repent (turn away from it) you will be forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).
We live in a time when our minds and hearts must be so intuned with God’s Word that we think of and perceive the world around us in the same manner as God.
“Sexualizing clothing reveals or emphasizes a sexualized body part, has characteristics associated with sexiness, and carries sexually suggestive writing.” In 2011, a study revealed that up to 30% of young girls’ clothing available online in the U.S. is “sexy” or sexualizing.” (Sciencedaily.com) This would explain the statistics I shared last week concerning the huge rise in the number of STD cases, the HIV cases, and adolescent pregnancies among the younger populous. (See Part 2, posted 10-18-23).
Psychology Today published an article in 2012 regarding sexualizing women and young girls. One of the conclusions offered at the end of the article stated, “parents, teachers, and other adults in our communities need to be aware of the media’s influence; to monitor it, examine it, talk about it, and if it includes sexualized images, keep it away from your home, from your children and teens.”
We have been so inundated with stimulus that having a disciplined Godly mind can be difficult. Women need to be aware that a man’s mind is stimulated to sexual thoughts by what he sees.
The fashion industry wares today are designed to show off a woman’s figure and is so provocative that a man needs blinders! Here is the warning for men: Matthew 5: 27 and 28, “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” ’Looks’ (blepo) means: to turn the eyes to, look upon, and gaze at. ‘Lust after’ (epithymeo) means: to set one’s heart upon or to have a sexual desire for.
We have this word of instruction given to women in 1 Timothy 2:9 and 10 (NIV) “ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
Pre-marital sex (fornication) has become so common that it is being accepted as normal between ‘consenting’ adults and even among children. Sex apart from marriage is sin.
To understand the seriousness of the acceptance of this sin as “normal” we will read Galatians 5:19 and 21b (NKJV), “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…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.” Those who ‘practice’ those things or who chooses to live a lifestyle which includes those things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, the lifestyle of one who had chosen homosexuality, lesbianism, or having sex with animals is called an abomination and perversion to God. (Leviticus 18:22- 28).
Even though society has decided that sexual sin is okay, it does not mean that God has changed His mind. In fact, the Word reveals that ‘He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8).
We are to love those who are caught up in sexual perversion, even though we cannot approve of their lifestyle.
Prayerfully, what we can do is share the love of Jesus Christ with them and allow the love of Jesus and the Holy Spirit to draw them into a life changing relationship with Himself. Then we let them know there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
Realizing, that as Christians, we are all on a battlefield against satan, we know that we are not exempt from constant attacks and attempts to be deceived and drawn away..
So, what can we do to be prepared to stand against the lies and deceit concerning immorality which are being promoted by the media, schools, society in general, and even in some churches? Ephesians 6:11 and 13 (NASB20), “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. ... 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
Remember we have the devil and our sin nature (the flesh) as our biggest enemies. So, when you read verse 13 and see the words, “having done everything, to stand firm” this would be an example of you keeping control of your flesh.
Romans 13:14 (NKJV), “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” You, make no provision!
Romans 6:12 - 14 (NIV), “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master…”
Spend time with the Lord and in His Word daily. Make a concerted effort to put on the whole armor of God so that you can resist on the evil day.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 and 14 (NKJV), “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Then, we see the following instructions in Proverbs 4:23-27 (CSB), “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 24 Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don't let your lips talk deviously. 25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26 Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Don't turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.”
This has been a weighty and long series. Thank you for being steadfast and reading to the end. If you have questions or need prayer, feel free to leave a message.
I feel strongly that I need to end this post with the words of the song, “Same Power” by Jeremy Camp:
Same Power
I can see
Waters raging at my feet
I can feel
The breath of those surrounding me
I can hear
The sound of nations rising up
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
I can walk
Down this dark and painful road
I can face
Every fear of the unknown
I can hear
All God's children singing out
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
Lives in us,
He lives in us.
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us
We have hope
That His promises are true
In His strength
There is nothing we can't do
Yes, we know
There are greater things in store
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
Greater is He that is living in me
He's conquered our enemy
No power of darkness
No weapon prevails
We stand here in victory
Greater is He that is living in me
He's conquered our enemy
No power of darkness
No weapon prevails
We stand here in victory
In victory
Unless noted all scriptures are taken from the English Standard Bible.
NKJV New King James Version
NIV New International Version
CSB Christian Standard Bible