WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SEXUAL SIN?

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. (Hebrews 13:4, ESV)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9)

“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” John Owen

Where in the Bible does it talk about sexual sin? 

(www.biblestudytools.com)

Amiantos (Greek) – UNDEFILED (English), free from that by which the nature of a thing is deformed [Heb 13:4 (marriage bed), 7:26 (high priest), James 1:27 (pure religion), 1 Peter 1:4 (spiritual inheritance)]

Adikos (Greek) - UNRIGHTEOUS (English), wicked, unjust  (1 Cor 6:1,9)

Akatharsia (Greek) – IMPURITY (English), uncleanness, lustful (2 Cor 12:21, Gal 5:19, Eph 4:19, 5:3,Col 3:5, 1 Thess 4:7)

Epithumia (Greek) – LUST (English), desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden (37 times in NT! )

Porneia (Greek) – SEXUAL IMMORALITY (English), illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, w/animals metaphor: the worship of idols (Matt 15:19 and Mark7:21 ‘out of the heart’, accusation against Jesus’ birth John 8:41, Acts 15:20,29, 21:25, 1 Cor 5:1, 6:13,18, 7:2, 2 Cor 12:21, Gal 5:19, Eph 5:3,Col 3:5, 1 Thess 4:3, Rev 9:21)

  • Pornos – sexually immoral, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator, a male prostitute (1 Cor 5:9-11,6:9, Eph 5:5, 1 Tim 1:10, Heb 12:16, 13:4, Rev 21:8, 22:15)

  • Porne - any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust, harlot, prostitute  (1 Corinthians 6:15-15, Babylon (Revelation), Rahab, Prodigal Son (Luke 15:30), Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32))

Moicheia (Greek) – ADULTERY (English), (Matthew 15:19 and Mark 7:21 ‘out of the heart’)

  • Moichao - to have unlawful intercourse with another's wife, to commit adultery with (used four times, all regarding remarriage after divorce - Mark 10:11-12, Matthew 5:32, 19:9)

  • Moichos – an adulterer, metaphor: one who is unfaithful to god, ungodly (Luke 18:11, 1 Corinthians 6:9, Hebrews 13:4)

HOMOSEXUALITY – Where does the Bible talk about homosexuality?

  • Romans 1:24-32, Genesis 19 , Leviticus  18:22 , 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 , Galatians 5:19-21 , Ephesians 5:3-3 , 1 Timothy 1:9,10 , Jude 7

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9 – ESV “nor men who practice homosexuality” (refers to passive & active partners in homosexual acts)

  • Malakos (Greek) – effeminate, of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man, submits his body to unnatural lewdness

  • Arsenokoites (Greek) – homosexual, one who lies with a male as with a female, sodomite, homosexual (1 Tim 1:10, 1 Cor 6:9)

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV)“If your opinion about anything contradicts God’s Word, guess which one is wrong?” Rick Warren

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Living in a Sex-Saturated World: Our Response

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. … 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:3-6)

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.(Colossians 3:5)

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS

Unmarried? Stop Choosing & Embracing Sexual Activity/Thoughts, Wait Until You Are Married

Married? Stay Married, Sexual Activity/Thoughts Only With Your Spouse, “Best defense is a good offense,” have a “Song of Solomon,” passionate, regular, loving sex life in your marriage!

HOW CAN I LIVE PURELY IN A SEX-SATURATED WORLD?

MEN & WOMEN – GUARD your eyes, ears, mouth, mind, heart, hands, fingers, & feet

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1)

Cautions & Safeguards In Marriage

  1. Open sharing of all communication avenues (email, Facebook, text messaging, IM, Twitter,etc.)

  2. Never be alone with someone of the opposite sex

  3. Are you hiding something?  Not telling the whole story?  Why?

  4. Talk with your spouse & share any struggles or needs that you feel aren’t being met.

  5. Bounce your eyes. If you find yourself looking at someone lustfully, bounce your eyes another direction.

  6. Understand the needs and love language of your spouse.

  7. If someone is attractive to you, put up safeguards in your interactions with them.

Cautions & Safeguards Outside of Marriage

What is the Bible’s stance on sex?  Sex is good, when it is done God’s way.  Sex is designed by God for a picture of the Gospel union, for pleasure, and for procreation…but His plan is for it to only happen in marriage….and marriage is always defined by God’s voice as between a man and a woman, for life (Romans 7:1-3, 1 Corinthians 7:39).

“If anyone says that sex in itself is bad, Christianity contradicts him at once.” C.S. Lewis

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.  (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Is sexual sin really that serious?  Yes, it is much more serious than we realize. 1 Corinthians 6:18 tells us to flee sexual immorality.  Sexual sin is different because it is a sin against our body, inside our body.  We are not designed by God for multiple sexual partners or relationships.  We must acknowledge and confess that we are all sexual sinners.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 describes God’s plan for us…to please Him and not ourselves.  His will is for us to be sanctified, to be made more holy. One main avenue of sanctification is seen, or not seen, in how we control our bodies sexually.  God warns that He is the avenger of sexual sin and how it harms not just you, but others.  Ignoring the seriousness of sexual sin is not a matter of personal opinion.  It is not simple opposition to a particular viewpoint, pastor, Christian, church, or denomination, but ignoring God’s plan for sex means ignoring God himself & His Holy Spirit that He gives to Christians.

    “While sex is not the only aspect of physical relationship in a marriage, it is in most cases the most important one, the touchstone for everything else from smiles and daily gestures of tenderness to deeds of kindness and sacrifice...the whole challenge of marital life is simply to catch up in all other departments with the pure rapture of the physical relationship at its best.” Mike Mason

How do I know is something is sexually immoral?  How much can I do? Are you at peace with what you are doing?  Are you ashamed? Do you hide it? Do you justify or minimize it? Does it affect your witness? Do you have doubts? (and Romans 14:23)

  • But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (Ephesians 5:3) 

  • But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) 

Is it right to “force” biblical beliefs on a nation that is primarily non-Christian?  The Bible is described as God’s voice.  Even though our nation and others are not primarily Christians, God is sovereign over them.  When a nation’s leaders or people disregard, disrespect, and disobey God, there are consequences.  When we ignore the Bible it shows we are ignoring God by shutting our ears to His voice.

God tells us through the prophet Samuel that: (1 Samuel 12:14-15) “If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. [15] But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king.”

We (Christians) want it to go well for America, its people and its leaders.  We don’t want our God against our nation.  Moralism will not save our nation.  A God-centered heart will rescue our nation from further consequences of our sin.  We need to pray that our nation begins to fear, serve, and obey the Lord and stop rebelling against His good plan.

“A married couple gives a severe blow to the head of that ancient serpent when they aim to give as much sexual satisfaction to each other as possible.  Is it not a mark of amazing grace that on top of all the pleasure that the sexual side of marriage brings, it also proves to be a fearsome weapon against our ancient foe?… Marriage at its exquisite peak of pleasure speaks powerfully the truth of covenant- keeping love between Christ and his church.  And that love is the most powerful force in the world.” John Piper

What should Christians do right now as our beliefs continue to be attacked and legislated against?

    Pray. Our problem is not ultimately with our government.  Our problem is with our hearts.  God is in the business of changing hearts so we need to fervently, passionately, and continuously beg our God to change the hearts of Americans away from self-love and towards Christ.

    Model.  Walk in God’s commandments.  Let people see the Gospel in your marriages, your lives, and your words.  When people see and hear of God’s working in you, they will hopefully be changed from the inside out. 

    Love.  We are to model Christ-like love.  That means loving people with our thoughts, words, and actions even when they don’t deserve it.  Sometimes love is patient, gentle,  and kind, but Proverbs 27:5 tells us that “open rebuke is better than hidden love.”  Let’s lovingly shower people with God’s truths in our words and actions. 

How should we treat family and friends who are in heterosexual or homosexual sin?

Love them.  Do not hide the truth from them.  Do not avoid them, but be careful not to be drawn into whatever sins they are in love with.  Show them you care for them.  Be compassionate.  Be humble.  Be prepared to give answers to the questions they may have about God and His good plan of sexuality.  Pray for them. Intercede to God on their behalf, that God changes their hearts.

What should I do if I am struggling with heterosexual or homosexual sin? 

  • Trust in Christ if you never have.  Moralism, or being good, does not save you.  Only an ongoing, trusting relationship with Jesus can save you.

  • Test yourself to ensure you are in the faith.  If you have a habitual, ongoing sin read the book of 1 John.  If you say you are a Christian, but you continue to walk in sin and show you love the darkness and the world more than you love the light & Christ, you may not be a Christian at all.

  • If you are a Christian and are struggling with sin seek help:

    • Confess – Confess your sin. Be honest and open with God.

    • Repent - Turn from the evil you’ve been practicing.

    • Be In God’s Word – It has all the answers.  Discover them.

    • Be In Prayer – Ask God for help.  You have God’s Spirit alive in you.  Stop grieving Him and start talking to Him.

    • Be In Church – Connect with a local, Bible-teaching church.  Outside of the church is referred to “Satan’s realm.”  Be connected with Christ through a local body of believers.

    • Be With Believers – Confess your sin struggle with a Christian.  Ask them to pray for you.  Ask them to help you.  Seek their encouragement.

God “desires that all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

HELPFUL RESOURCES

www.covenanteyes.com       www.gotquestions.org www.livingout.org

“10 Myths About Lust” by Jared Moore (http://cbmw.org/men/manhood/10-myths-about-lust)

Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique & Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage Ed & Gaye Wheat

A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy By Douglas E. Rosenau

For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men By Shaunti Feldhahn

For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women By Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn  

Winning the Battle Within: Realistic Steps to Overcoming Sexual Strongholds By Neil T. Anderson

Helpful Resources:

Downloadable Content: