Fleeing Sexual Immorality: Embracing God's Design for Our Bodies
Summary
This morning, we delved into 1 Corinthians chapter 6, focusing on the topic of sexual immorality. The city of Corinth was notorious for its moral corruption, so much so that "to Corinthianize" became synonymous with gross sexual immorality and debauchery. Paul addresses this issue because many in the Corinthian church, having been saved from such a culture, were still struggling with these sins. Similarly, our modern culture is rife with sexual sin, and many people hold the belief that what they do with their bodies is their own business. However, to God, sexual immorality is a serious matter.
The Greek word "pornea," from which we derive the English word "pornography," encompasses all forms of sexual immorality, including premarital sex, adultery, homosexuality, incest, bestiality, and gender misidentity. Paul provides three compelling reasons why sexual sin should not be part of a Christian's life.
First, sexual sin is harmful to all involved. While there may be pleasure in sin for a season, it ultimately leads to harm and hurt. Paul emphasizes that although all things are lawful, not all things are helpful or beneficial. The question we should ask is not whether something is lawful but whether it is beneficial to our walk with Christ, our relationships, and our spiritual growth.
Second, sexual sin is addictive and enslaving. Paul warns that we should not be brought under the power of any sin. Sexual sin often starts small and grows, leading to greater indiscretions and heartache. It becomes an addiction, taking the place of God in our lives. Instead of letting sin control us, we should let Jesus lift us up and be the source of our joy and fulfillment.
Third, sexual sin corrupts God's plan for our bodies. Our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord. They are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. When we commit sexual sin, we taint the body of Christ and dishonor the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are sacred and should be used to glorify God.
In conclusion, sexual sin is harmful, addictive, and corrupts God's plan for our bodies. We must flee from it and turn to Christ for forgiveness and healing. God can cleanse us and turn our mess into something good if we are willing to repent and trust in Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Sexual Sin is Harmful to All Involved: Sexual sin may offer temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leads to harm and hurt for everyone involved. It can destroy marriages, break up homes, and cause heartache and disease. The question we should ask is not whether something is lawful but whether it is beneficial to our walk with Christ and our relationships. [06:06]
2. Sexual Sin is Addictive and Enslaving: Sexual sin often starts small and grows, leading to greater indiscretions and heartache. It becomes an addiction, taking the place of God in our lives. Instead of letting sin control us, we should let Jesus lift us up and be the source of our joy and fulfillment. [18:22]
3. Sexual Sin Corrupts God's Plan for Our Bodies: Our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord. They are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. When we commit sexual sin, we taint the body of Christ and dishonor the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are sacred and should be used to glorify God. [26:13]
4. Flee from Sexual Immorality: At the first hint of sexual immorality, we should flee from it. Sexual sin often starts with small things like flirting or flattery and builds up to greater indiscretions. We should draw our own boundaries far from the line of sin to protect ourselves from falling into it. [32:33]
5. God Can Cleanse and Heal Us: Even if we have fallen into sexual sin, God can cleanse us and heal us from the damage it has caused. We must be willing to repent and turn to Christ, trusting in His sacrifice for our forgiveness. God can turn our mess into something good if we let Him. [43:20]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Corinth's Moral Corruption
[02:08] - Modern Culture and Sexual Sin
[04:01] - Definition of Sexual Immorality
[06:06] - Harmfulness of Sexual Sin
[07:46] - Misunderstanding Freedom in Christ
[09:36] - Freedom in Christ Explained
[10:57] - Is It Beneficial?
[12:27] - Higher Standards for Christians
[13:48] - Dangers of Sexual Sin
[15:12] - Solomon's Warning
[18:22] - Addictive Nature of Sexual Sin
[20:06] - Enslavement to Sin
[21:40] - Let Jesus Lift You Up
[23:05] - The Monkey Trap Illustration
[24:30] - Freedom in Christ
[26:13] - Corruption of God's Plan
[27:51] - Our Bodies for the Lord
[29:14] - Members of Christ
[30:47] - Tainting the Body of Christ
[32:33] - Flee Sexual Immorality
[34:06] - Drawing Boundaries
[35:40] - Sacredness of Our Bodies
[37:12] - Temple of the Holy Spirit
[38:50] - Bought at a Price
[40:11] - Glorify God in Your Body
[41:47] - Using Things for Unintended Purposes
[43:20] - God's Cleansing and Healing
[44:50] - Trusting in Christ
[46:23] - Call to Repentance and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful"? How does this apply to sexual immorality? [06:06]
2. According to the sermon, what are some of the consequences of sexual sin mentioned by Paul? [13:48]
3. How does Paul describe the relationship between our bodies and the Lord in 1 Corinthians 6:13-14? [27:51]
4. What analogy does Paul use to explain the seriousness of sexual sin in relation to the body of Christ? [30:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that not all things are beneficial, even if they are lawful? How does this principle guide Christian behavior? [10:57]
2. How does sexual sin enslave individuals, according to the sermon? What are some examples given? [18:22]
3. In what ways does sexual sin corrupt God's plan for our bodies, as explained in 1 Corinthians 6:13-20? [26:13]
4. How does the concept of our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit influence our understanding of sexual immorality? [37:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any behaviors or habits that, while not explicitly sinful, are not beneficial to your walk with Christ? How can you address these? [10:57]
2. Have you ever experienced or witnessed the addictive nature of sexual sin? How did it affect the individuals involved? What steps can be taken to break free from such addictions? [20:06]
3. Considering that our bodies are meant for the Lord, how can you honor God with your body in your daily life? What changes might you need to make? [27:51]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of fleeing from sexual immorality at the first hint. What practical boundaries can you set in your life to avoid falling into sexual sin? [32:33]
5. If you have struggled with sexual sin in the past, how can you seek God's forgiveness and healing? What steps can you take to ensure you do not fall back into these patterns? [43:20]
6. How can you support others in your community who may be struggling with sexual sin? What role can accountability and prayer play in this process? [46:23]
7. Reflect on the idea that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. How does this perspective change the way you view your body and its purpose? What specific actions can you take to live out this truth? [37:12]
Devotional
Day 1: The Harmfulness of Sexual Sin
Sexual sin may offer temporary pleasure, but it ultimately leads to harm and hurt for everyone involved. It can destroy marriages, break up homes, and cause heartache and disease. The question we should ask is not whether something is lawful but whether it is beneficial to our walk with Christ and our relationships. Paul emphasizes that although all things are lawful, not all things are helpful or beneficial. We must consider the long-term consequences of our actions and how they align with our spiritual growth and relationships. [06:06]
1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV): "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made that was lawful but not necessarily beneficial. How did it impact your relationships and spiritual growth? What steps can you take to ensure your future decisions align with your walk with Christ?
Day 2: The Addictive Nature of Sexual Sin
Sexual sin often starts small and grows, leading to greater indiscretions and heartache. It becomes an addiction, taking the place of God in our lives. Instead of letting sin control us, we should let Jesus lift us up and be the source of our joy and fulfillment. Paul warns that we should not be brought under the power of any sin. We must be vigilant and proactive in seeking Jesus as our source of strength and joy, rather than allowing sin to enslave us. [18:22]
James 1:14-15 (ESV): But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel you might be allowing sin to take control. What practical steps can you take today to replace that sin with the joy and fulfillment that comes from Jesus?
Day 3: Corruption of God's Plan for Our Bodies
Our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord. They are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. When we commit sexual sin, we taint the body of Christ and dishonor the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies are sacred and should be used to glorify God. We must remember that our physical bodies are an integral part of our spiritual lives and should be treated with the utmost respect and honor. [26:13]
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Reflection: Reflect on how you treat your body daily. Are there habits or behaviors that dishonor the temple of the Holy Spirit? What changes can you make to ensure your body is used to glorify God?
Day 4: Flee from Sexual Immorality
At the first hint of sexual immorality, we should flee from it. Sexual sin often starts with small things like flirting or flattery and builds up to greater indiscretions. We should draw our own boundaries far from the line of sin to protect ourselves from falling into it. Being proactive in setting boundaries and avoiding situations that may lead to temptation is crucial in maintaining our purity and honoring God with our bodies. [32:33]
2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV): So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Reflection: What boundaries can you set in your life to protect yourself from sexual immorality? How can you actively pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace in your daily interactions?
Day 5: God's Cleansing and Healing
Even if we have fallen into sexual sin, God can cleanse us and heal us from the damage it has caused. We must be willing to repent and turn to Christ, trusting in His sacrifice for our forgiveness. God can turn our mess into something good if we let Him. No matter how far we have strayed, God's grace is sufficient to restore us and make us whole again. [43:20]
Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need God's cleansing and healing? Take a moment to repent and ask God for His forgiveness and restoration. How can you trust in His grace to turn your mess into something good?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Once we trust Christ all our sins are forgiven amen we sang about that this morning right the bible says that in Christ God separates our sins separates our sins from us as far as what the east is from the west okay and that is literally meaning east and west that's that's it's not even going to touch right isn't that's an infinitive line okay so in understanding that that our sins are forgiven when you trust Christ listen this is glorious okay this is glorious all of our past present and future sins are forgiven sins are covered under the blood of Jesus." [07:46] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So as Christians, we don't need to get up every morning and say, well, I need to check this box and check that box and check this box, check this box, check this box, okay? That's not what being a Christian is about. Being a Christian is about the freedom that comes in Christ. But here's the thing, and this is what we're going to talk about, it's not freedom to live for our sinfulness that he just saved us from. It's freedom to live for the one who died for us, okay?" [09:36] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Friends, we need to let Jesus free us, friends, but we got to give our desires over to him. So often we are not willing to let go of the desires that we have and let Jesus take them. Let him be the one that gives us true happiness. Let him be the one who gives us true joy in our lives instead of seeking that happiness. Let him be the one who gives us happiness somewhere else." [24:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God loved you so much that he sent Jesus Christ, his only son to die on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins so that whosoever believes in him should not perish or die, but he would have everlasting life. That's what's available to you. Okay. And, but, and if you do that, what that means is that Jesus has paid for your sins. He has, as it says here, you are not your own verse 20 for you were bought at a price." [38:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Friends, that's what it means to be a Christian. Not, doesn't mean that now I'm going to be a good person. Doesn't mean that now I'm going to try to do better. Okay. Now, hopefully you are those things because of what God has done in your life. But that the being good part is not what makes you a Christian. It is trusting Jesus that makes you a Christian. Today, would you give your life to him? Be a start of a new day." [44:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sexual sin is harmful for all involved. The reality is that the person doing it even though and we'll talk more about this a little bit too even though there is pleasure in sin for a season listen don't be mistaken you know why is sexual sin sinful for a season why is sexual sin sinful for a season why is sexual sin sinful for a season so um so promiscuous in our world today um because it feels good and it's fun but the problem is that if we don't use god what god has gifted in the way god has intended then we get hurt and others get hurt." [06:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the question we need to ask is, not is it lawful, but is it helpful or beneficial? You know, some people sometimes, maybe you've been one, will come to me and say, pastor, you know, do you believe such and such is a sin? And that's an interesting question. You would think that sometimes there's a yes or no to that. And something may or may not, whatever that person has asked me about may or may not be a sin. But for a Christian, the question is not really, is it a sin? Because our sins are covered, right? For a Christian, the question is, is it something I should do or be involved in or not?" [12:27] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Friends, sexual sin is harmful and dangerous, and you will eventually feel its bite if you go down that road. Now, as I say that, please don't misunderstand what I'm saying here, okay? Sex within the bounds of marriage, as God intended it, is not wrong or bad, okay? In fact, it is beautiful and good. It is created by God to be enjoyed within the bounds of marriage. Friends, it is outside those boundaries that the danger lies. So beware, beware. It is harmful and hurts you and anybody else involved has the potential to." [16:39] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Listen, friend, if you become enslaved to any habit, to any action, to any act where you cannot stop doing it, whether it's sexual immorality or whether it's golf or whether it's shopping, and it has control over you, then that thing has become sin to you. Amen? And that's what I was talking about. There may be something that in and of itself is not a sin, is not a problem, but listen, if that thing has control over you, guess what? Then it's become sin to you. And that thing, because nothing should take precedence over Jesus in our lives. Amen?" [20:06] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the monkey, do you leave? The monkey's been watching all this. Hey, hey, I want that, right? The monkey comes down and the monkey grabs the coconut and he puts his hand inside the coconut and he grabs hold of the object inside of the coconut. But what happens then? The monkey tries to pull his hand out of the coconut and what happens? He can't get his hand out of the coconut because now his hand is in a fist and he can't get his hand out of the hole. Now you say, well, that's easy. All he's got to do is let go of the item inside the coconut and pull his hand out. Yes, it's so easy just to let it go. Let it go. Let it go, monkey. And you're free, right?" [23:05] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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