Sexual Immorality

January 27
What is God’s Will about Sex?

There's nothing like jumping in head first. As I was contemplating what God would have me write about this morning, sex came to mind. We’re living in a society where the word has taken on such a filthy connotation, it seemed to me important to provide some brief input about what God’s word says on the subject. My favorite verses on the topic come from I Thessalonians 4:3, 4, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not is lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God, . . .” These two verses hold terrific talking points for a good five part sermon: First, it’s clear God has a perfect will regarding sex; Second, immorality, generally speaking, falls under the topic of personal sanctification; third, sanctification means abstaining from all sexual immorality; fourth, abstaining involves keeping one’s own body pure; and fifth, lustful passion is the way the Gentiles disobey this admonition.

I have written a book on the topic entitled The Great Conspiracy, so if anyone wants an exhaustive biblical study about it, just ask. For now, it is enough to say God’s word declares any sexual act outside of that which is engaged by a married couple in complete privacy is immoral. To reiterate, anything, anything, anything outside of sex engaged by a man and a woman who have been legally hitched is immoral. All pornography, all homosexual sex, all petting, all passionate kissing, and all self gratifying modes of sexual activity are immoral. Sex was intended as the method for pro-creation, so in order to get man to engage it heartily, God made it extremely pleasurable. As with everything else God made to be enjoyed under His direction, man has perverted its original intent to such a heinous point that few understand how much damage is done when it is practiced outside God’s original plan and purpose. We are being sanctified daily as we grow to maturity in Christ. When we commit immorality, we short circuit the process of sanctification by our own actions. If we fail to confess our sin, according to I John 1:9, our love for God eventually grows cold. If we harbor sin, refusing to confess it for any extended period, the natural intended process of sanctification comes to a screeching halt. That’s why so many who began a vital, exciting walk with God are now living listless, impotent, lives, wondering where the excitement went. If you’ve gotten caught up in immorality, get on your knees before God, agree with Him that your actions are a disgrace, repent (agree to do it no more)claim His forgiveness which was provided forever and always at the cross, and regain the joy of your salvation.

additional verses on the topic
(Gen. 2:24, 25; Ps. 66:18; Is. 59:1-3; Ps. 32:1-5; I Cor. 7:1-16; Gal. 5:16-24; Rev. 22:14,