Why Should Christians Stay Away From Sexual Immorality?

Why would tell your kids not to touch the stove? So they will not get burn. Why does a zoo say do not feed the animals? Because they will become aggressive and cause harm to other animals and humans? Why does the Bible say stay from sexual immorality? This is where some believers will draw a blank. Believe it or not, some Christians do not know why sexual immorality is sin.

Many cannot recall passages that says you should not have sex outside of marriage as was the case with my generation. Does the Bible tell us why we should stay away from sexual immorality? Yes, but before we get there, we need to be reminded that sex was God's idea. In the beginning, He told Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). God also declared, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24), which was repeated by Jesus Christ in the gospels. Sex is not considered original sin, but how it is done can be sin.

So now comes the questions, why should Christians stay away from sexual immorality. First, it is the will of God. Paul wrote, "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" (1 Thesslonians 4:3-6). The Greek word for sexual immorality is "porneia," which is where we get the word "pornography." This word means any act outside of God's standard for marriage which includes adultery, lust (Jesus even said lust is the same as adultery), and fornication. God's standard of marriage between a man and woman is where the act of sex is permitted. Yes, our culture says otherwise in various ways, but the Bible will always outweigh culture even when they don't agree.

Second, sexual immorality is a form of idolatry. Idolatry is the worship of other gods rather than the God of the Bible. Many Christians don't see sexual immorality as idolatry but the Bible is clear on this. In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul tells us to set our minds on things above which is where Christ is seated who is our life. Then he goes on to say, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). He does not stop there. Paul says because of the sin idolatry which includes sexual immorality, "the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:6). Paul addressed that many in the Colossian church use to live like this then challenges them to "put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:8-10). Paul is not just addressing sexual immorality, but anything earthly in us that is against the will of God should be put to death.

Third, sexual immorality is not proper for the saints of God. When I say saint, I don't mean what the Catholics believe that one obtains sainthood when priests elect them after they are dead. Saints are those who God has redeemed. Saints are the people of God that Christ has saved from their sins and the wrath of God. The Bible says, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints" (Ephesians 5:1-3). We are called to be imitators of God as all impurity which includes sexual immorality are not to be named among the people of God. It is no secret when a pastor sexually sins. It is out in the open when the truth comes out. A study note to the ESV Study Bible says this, "Christians must be careful to guard their integrity and public reputation because public sins dishonor God, who has chosen them to be holy."

Finally, Christians must stay from sexual immorality because you body is meant for the Lord. Does this mean a life of singleness? No. When we give ourselves to someone sexually we are not just giving our bodies, we are giving them everything that we are. Remember sex was God's idea. The Bible says, "'Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food'"—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body" (1 Corinthians 6:13). Paul wrote in Romans 6:13, "Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness." Sexual immorality is an act of unrighteousness which can cause some serious damage not spiritually, but mentally, psychologically, and, sometimes, physically. Paul wrote, "Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18). Our bodies were meant to be used of God in the way he sees fit. Just because culture says you should do it this way does not make it right. If you are a Christian remember that your bodies is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we are called to honor God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

What if you have committed sexual immorality? Is this the unforgiveable? No. Jesus forgave a woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11). Sexual immorality is not above the grace and mercy of God. Just as any other sin, God can wipe it away. Yes, you will still have reap the consequences of your sin, but with God there is forgiveness. The Bible promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). I hope and pray, if you have committed some form of sexual immorality, run to the Father. His arms are opened wide ready to receive you. If you have not committed any sexual immorality, pray for those who do and keep "a close watch on yourself and on the teaching" (1 Timothy 4:16, especially those who are leaders in the church.

Recommended Reading:

Finally Free by Heath Lambert

What To Do When Struggling With Lust