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. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (NLT) Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. WORD STUDY 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] INTRODUCTION Christians are free to be all they can be for God, but they are not free from God's plan for healthy and holy living. God created sex to be a beautiful and essential ingredient of marriage, but sexual sin - sex outside the marriage relationship - always hurts someone. It hurts God because it shows that we would rather follow our own desires than the leading of the Holy Spirit. It hurts others because it violates the commitment so necessary to a trusting relationship. It can bring disease to our bodies. And it deeply affects our psyches and identities, which respond in anguish when we harm ourselves physically and spiritually. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL 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] 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. 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] 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] AI COMMENTARY Question: What is the importance of fleeing sexual sin? In 1 Corinthians 6:18, fleeing sexual immorality is crucial because it's a unique sin that directly harms your own body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit, unlike other sins that are "outside the body". The importance lies in escaping temptation immediately (running, not fighting) because it's self-destructive, defiles the body, separates you from God, and has severe spiritual and emotional consequences, damaging your relationship with Christ and God's purpose for your life. Why "Flee" (Run Away) from Sexual Sin? o Unique Self-Harm: Paul states, "Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body" (1 Cor 6:18b). o Temple of the Spirit: Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), and sexual sin defiles it, dishonoring God. o Not a Fight, But Escape: The Greek word means to escape as if for your life, implying you shouldn't try to "fight" or "reason" with lust but run from the situation, like Joseph fleeing Potiphar's wife. o Deep, Lasting Damage: It deeply wounds the soul, entangles emotions, and can create spiritual strongholds, making it harder to let go of than other sins. The Call to Purity o Honor God: The goal is to glorify God with your body (1 Cor 6:20). o Avoid Mastership: Believers are called to not be mastered by anything, including sexual desire (1 Cor 6:12). o Connection to Christ: Sexual immorality unites you in a sinful way with another person, while being joined to the Lord makes you one spirit with Him (1 Cor 6:16-17). LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Sexual Sin. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100810-2124.html 2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee Temptation to Jesus! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200527-0849.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/