Flee sexual immorality! Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)
We live in a world that is sexually confused in so many ways.
They look at Paul’s words and have no idea what he is saying.
To them, the concept of sexual immorality is almost meaningless. About the only thing most people agree on is that if sex is not consensual, then it’s wrong. Aside from that, just about anything goes. After all, you’re not hurting anyone, right?
But Paul urges us to flee from sexual immorality. And throughout chapter 6, he clearly defines what exactly sexual immorality is. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 13-16)
He also makes clear in chapter 7 that sex is only to be enjoyed within the context of marriage. After all, he doesn’t tell the single people, “If you’re burning with desire, just sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend.” He says, “Get married.” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
And he encourages married couples to have sex, in part so that they don’t fall into sexual temptation. (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)
But why is sexual sin so bad?
When we sin sexually, not only do we sin against God and the person we sleep with, we sin against ourselves. We dishonor the precious body God created to be his holy temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
More, when we involve ourselves in sexual sin, we involve Christ in sexual sin because he dwells within us. (1 Corinthians 6:15-16)
I don’t know about you, but the thought of involving Christ in my sexual sin is abhorrent to me.
And so Paul says,
You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
How about you?
Are you honoring God with your body?
And are you honoring the body he gave to you?