The Facts About Sexual Immorality

Our society has changed a lot over the past number of years but it doesn't mean the Church has or should. Today our society expects and prepares 14 year olds to be sexually active. It does tbis because it considers sex a natural function of the body lime eating and going to the bathroom. I want to remind teens and everyone else that sex is not a natural bodily function as it is in animals but has spiritual ramifications tbat science may have a tough time measuring.

I want to explain this thoroughly so I am taking verses from Paul's letter to the Corinthians, chapter 6, verses 13-20.

First understand that our purpose changed when we accepted Jesus and went through the re-birthing experience. We went from being controlled by our sin nature to being controlled by God's righteousness. So Paul explains:

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

What a lot of people don't understand is that when we died with Jesus, when we repented and accepted him as Lord, we could no longer live on our own so we were raised alive in him. He is in us and we are in him. Knowing this then, if we expose our body to sin we are also exposing Jesus to sin:

"Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!"

What we are failing to teach and what many do not understand is that something more than physical happens in the process of sex. It has been this way from the beginning and may be a shock to many people who have had multiple sexual partners. Teens and adults listen carefully hear:

"Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.'"

We are meant to be united but that unity is to be with Jesus:

"But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit."

Our spiritual desire should far outweigh any appetite our flesh has for sinful cravings. We don't say no to sexual immorality because of fear of diseases or pregnancy. We say no because we are united with Jesus and want nothing to do with sin.

Sex seems mysterious, so intimate, so inviting but it is a sin that carries devastating effects that could last a lifetime and into eternity. I amnot saying that to scare you but instead to bring you to some maturity in the Word of God:

"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."

And this then brings us to two important facts. The question is what will do with these important facts? Will you simply shrug your shoulders and continue on to do what your flesh demands or will you make the wise and mature choice and decide to obey the Word of God and his Spirit in you. Fact one:

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

Fact two, and this is very important for us to understand, accept and live:

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."

This is a must in our spiritual understanding, growth and maturity. As long as we feel we have a choice we will choose wrong but if we can understand and accept how things have changed we will be able to make the right decisions, the mature decisions because we see no other choice but Jesus. If you desire to live your life for the Father's glory and not your desires you will always be strengthened to make the right decisions.