Is Sexual Immorality Different From Any Other Sin? - 1 Corinthians 6

 Sexual Immorality

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 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! 16 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.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 8 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

One of the greatest temptations in the Corinthian Christians faced was sexual immorality.  There were temple prostitutes and priestesses who offered themselves for those who would pay an offering to them.  The Corinthians reasoned falsely that since the dietary laws did not apply to them, couldn't they similarly satisfy their lust?  

"The Corinthian Christians probably used this motto to justify giving their bodies whatever their bodies wanted. “My body wants food, so I eat. My body wants sex, so I hire a prostitute. What’s the problem?” (Guzik)

Then, Paul makes the argument that when we offer our bodies to sexual immorality, we offer something of ourselves that has already been given to the Lord.  Another religion in Jesus' day said that the body was evil and the spirit was good.  The result was either they denied any pleasure altogether, or they indulged the body with any and every thing it wanted.  Since the body was different the spirit it didn't matter.  But Paul points out the fallacy in that kind of thinking.  Jesus redeemed both our souls and our bodies.  The ultimate proof that our bodies matter to God, is when He Jesus raised Jesus' body from the dead. Jesus appeared in bodily form to the disciples after God raised him from the dead.

When Paul uses the word "sexual immorality" he uses the word "porneia", which is related to our word "pornography".  

We are reminded Paul uses the Greek word porneia, which refers to a broad range of sexual sin. To flee sexual immorality means more than not having sexual intercourse with someone we are not married to.

i. It means to flee sexual gratification short of or apart from intercourse with someone we are not married to.

ii. It means to flee sexual gratification or thrills one might find from pornographic videos, movies, magazines, books, or Internet sites. (Guzik)

When Paul says to "flee sexual immorality", he means to take every effort to not put oneself in a compromising position.  Many people think they can toy with sexual immorality and can withstand the test, but this kind of thinking has left many with the consequences of sexual immorality including: unwanted pregnancy and sexual diseases, not to mention the guilt and shame and the effect it has on our relationship with God and others, especially if we are married. 

A final word.  We sometimes categorize giving into sexual immorality as a worse sin than others.  Although there is some uniqueness to sexual sin, sin is sin.  In verse 10 Paul lists several other sins including: greed, slander, pride, and idolatry. These typify the lifestyle of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (meaning unbelievers).  Jesus died for all of our sins on the cross.  If you struggle with sexual immorality realize that though it is wrong and affects your relationship with God,  Jesus still loves you and only wants the best for you.  Turn from what you know is wrong, so you can be freed from the bondage to sexual sin.  Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit will give you the power and self control to lead a life pleasing to God and worthy of the calling you have received from Christ? 

Do you see your body as belonging to the Lord?  When you think that your body is connected to Christ through the Holy Spirit does it make you think differently about how you treat your body and what you put into it?  Does this connection make you think about sexual immorality in a different light?  What are some practical ways you can flee from sexual immorality? If you are struggling with sexual immorality share it with another Christian and become accountable to them?  Oftentimes sexual sin is a very secret sin in the church and it doesn't need to be.  The devil wants to shame us and keep us in isolation which only makes things worse!

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