1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Sexual Sin.
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Sexual Sin.
1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) Flee from sexual immorality. All other
sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins
sexually, sins against their own body.
Flee. The Greek indicates a habitual, continuous attitude and
action. That is, make it a habit to flee. Do not stop to parley with the
temper when he confronts you with any kind of invitation to indulge in
immorality. It is dangerous to hesitate and argue with conscience;
determined, immediate flight from the temptation is the only safe course to
take (see CH 587). This injunction to make no attempt to stand and
argue with the temptation to impurity but to turn and flee from it
cannot be disregarded with impunity. The temptation to fornication
(sexual sin) may often prove so subtle that a person is safe only by
fleeing from it. He is free from pollution only when he refuses to
harbor an immoral thought; secure only when he turns his eyes away from
any object that might suggest an impure thought (see 2 Sam. 11:2-4;
Job 31:1; Prov. 6:23-26; Matt. 5:27-29). There is no other way to
avoid the pollution of fornication than that stated by Paul, and no
one is safe who refuses to follow this instruction. Joseph
demonstrated the importance of flight from this evil thing (see Gen. 39:7-12;
5T 596). Many individuals would be saved from tears, remorse,
poverty, want, disease, and lifelong misery if only they would give heed
to the words, "Flee fornication." [SDA Bible Commentary]
The phrase "damage control" is used frequently in political
circles, referring to limiting negative press coverage following a
potentially damaging act or statement by a politician. The phrase could,
however, easily be applied in a number of other areas. Take sex, for
instance. Sex is a wonderful expression of love between a husband and
wife. It is an experience that strengthens and builds the marriage
relationship. Why would damage control be needed in this area?
Paul addresses this topic in his first letter to the
Corinthians, warning them to avoid sex outside of marriage. Ignoring this
warning today is not only spiritually harmful, but it can be physically
deadly. It is important to stop the damage before it begins. As you read
this passage, note the seriousness and intensity of Paul's teaching,
and determine not to let sexual sin devastate your life.
Read 1 Corinthians 5-6
The hissing doubt of the world says that the Bible's
restrictions only keep us from harmless pleasures. The world downplays the
risks and plays up the pleasures, making exceptions and excuses.
Spare yourself some grief, and keep in mind the damage that
sexual sin can do. It hurts God because it defies the guidelines that
he so lovingly gave us. It hurts others because it breaks the
commitment necessary to a relationship. And it deeply affects our
personalities, which respond in anguish when we harm ourselves physically and
spiritually. The destruction caused by sexual sin is so great that God urges
us to run from it (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Sex itself doesn't do any harm - sexual sin does. Preserve
God's design for sex in your life, and you'll enjoy the pleasure of
his Holy Spirit. [The One Year Through the Bible Devotional by Dave
Veerman re vv. 15-20]
Casual sex? Really? Could casual sex be something like a
casual house fire or a casual head-on collision! I don't want to get
overly dramatic, but let's just look at the evidence and then you
decide. You conclude if there is anything casual about sex - in or out
of marriage.
God created the magnificent gift of sex. When regularly
unwrapped and savored within the sacred circle of a committed marriage,
sex is good - even very good. Carefully read the Song of Solomon,
and you get a lucid picture of the joy that God intends it to be.
There can be no misunderstanding, because God's Word is clear and
unambiguous - sex outside of marriage is sin and has heart-wrenching
consequences. Since God gave us both the positives (in marriage) and the
negatives (outside of marriage) the divine instructions present a clear,
sharp line.
What makes the line even sharper is that He uses the metaphor
of a committed marriage as a model of the wonderful and mysterious
loving relationship that He wants to have with us, His church (Isa.
62:5). Using this same metaphor, Ezekiel 16 tells the heartbreaking
story of an unfaithful bride. It is imagery that appears repeatedly in
the Bible.
God designed sex - the joining of two bodies - to be a very
big thing, much more than just physical union. Scientific
experiments now show that during sex, powerful neurotransmitters such as
serotonin and dopamine and hormones such as oxytocin and vasopressin flood
the brains of the connected couple. The neurotransmitters create
magnificent feelings of excitement and euphoria much stronger than any other
experience. Add to that the hormones busily cementing powerful emotional
attachments and lifelong bonds, and it's no wonder the Bible says, "What God
has joined together, let no one separate" (Matt. 19:6, N1V). God's
mental superglue is powerful. So you think you can casually connect to
another just for fun?
Sex outside of marriage has additional factors that make it a
huge negative deal. Guilt, grieving the loss of "the gift as God
created it to be," risk of pregnancy, the threat of terrible sexually
transmitted diseases, damaged relationships both human and divine/human,
polluting the body temple, etc. What do you think? Is there such a thing
as casual sex?
Lord, what an amazing gift You have given to me and
___________ for "becoming one." Help me to hold it as sacred. I choose to
honor You. [God of Wonders by David Steen]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sexual immorality is one of the worst of sins, for it violates
the intimate relationship which a person has with Jesus Himself and
the indwelling Holy Spirit. [Victor Teacher's Commentary]
Sexual sin affects us like no other sin. It isn't that it is the
heaviest on some imaginary sin scale, but rather, that its effects are
broad and devastating. In sexual sin, we sin not only against ourself,
but also against other people and against God. [Life Recovery SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100810-2124.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20121026-2138.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS:
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Revelation Today by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
