Sexual Sins

<<immorality>>

Outside a marriage commitment, sex will likely destroy a relationship through degrading human beings into objects to be used for a person’s own gratification or in a manner not endorsed by God; yet within a loving marriage, with the right attitude, sex will strengthen a relationship as love is expressed in this intimate way. Sex can be likened to a fire – in a properly designed fireplace it is a blessing but in the middle of the lounge floor it isn’t! What has the potential for immense blessing and good also has the potential for enormous hurt and problems. God’s standard is one man, and one woman committed to each other in marriage until separated by death (and not divorce).

Those who practice any form of sexual perversion or sexual sin are condemned by God, and will not enter heaven unless there is genuine repentance and turning from it (1 Cor 6:9,10; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Thes 4:3; Heb 13:4; Rev 21:8, 22:15). “God does not listen to the prayers of those who flout His commands” except those of repentance that result in a changed lifestyle (Prov 15:8, 28:9; Jn 6:37, 9:31). Praise God for the blood of Jesus that cleanses from past sin when there is a turning from sin to God (Isa 55:7; 1 Jn 1:9). The Bible says those who engage in illegal sexual acts are foolishly short-sighted, because doing so will bring untold heartache and end in ruin (Prov 5:3-7:27). It is impossible to sin and get away with it. There are consequences to all we do.

God created sexuality for our pleasure and procreation, and gave restrictions to protect us, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord” – sexual sins are so detrimental to us because our body is meant to be the

Sex has guidelines – do I observe them

residence of the Holy Spirit so “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6:13,18,19). Joseph literally ran from a potentially compromising situation, the sexual advances of a woman (Gen 39:6-15). Satan has caused humanity to degrade one of the greatest pleasures God gave, yet we can’t rebel against what God says without experiencing devastating consequences. Sex before and outside marriage, besides all perversions, degrades what God created as good by substituting warped, devil-inspired, humanistic ways that bring emotional and spiritual scarring, (often with physical repercussions too) which combine to wound and potentially destroy those who indulge. Thus, the consequences of sexual misconduct are more devastating than other forms of sin.

The Bible says we should not associate with anyone who calls themselves a Christian who is living immorally, yet this instruction does not apply to those who are unbelievers and living immorally (1 Cor 5:9-11). Our bodies must be offered in servitude to righteousness, "as living sacrifices…putting to death…sexual immorality” (Rom 12:1; Col 3:5). Obeying the fleshly urges in defiance of His directives negatively alters our relationship with God and between those involved, having the power to destroy physically and spiritually, devastating lives and ruining families. Why sacrifice the long-term benefits of doing things God’s way for momentary gratification as there can be no lasting satisfaction outside God’s boundaries. He asks the question, ‘Why call me Lord, and don’t do what I say?’ (Lk 6:46).

His standards challenge our desires, even though they may not get beyond creating fantasies in our thoughts. We are to train ourselves to be godly; “I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl” (Job 31:1; Mt 5:27,28; 1 Tim 4:7). Sexual purity

Do I need to repent of some sins?

should be the hallmark of the Christian community, whereas sexual indulgence is typical behaviour of those not living in close relationship to Christ (Rom 13:13,14; Eph 5:3). The so-called sexual freedom brings those who indulge into slavery to their own desires as it involves putting self-gratification before another’s well-being and violates their self-worth (2 Pet 2:19). Sex in any form outside of marriage always hurts someone and is wrong even if our culture accepts it. It hurts God as it shows we would rather follow our desires than the Word of God. It hurts others by adversely affecting the commitment that is so vital to relationships. It hurts the individual often with disease and blighting of the personality. Sin in the sexual realm has tremendous power to destroy families, communities and even nations.

Sex slaves (either male or female) are manipulated or forced into being ‘objects’ for immoral people to fulfil their sexual urges.