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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

1 Thessalonians 4:3 12/5/2023*

“It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;  and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”

We like to say we are searching for God’s will… but it’s not hidden. His Will is our sanctification. Sanctification means “to be set apart” and sexual sin “de-sanctifies” us. 

That’s a problem because our culture promotes it. We have invented ways to degrade ourselves which has produced innumerable perversions. It’s no longer possible to shock us with depravity. It has become commonplace.  

The Bible gives two reasons that this needs to change:

1. 1 Corinthians says “… the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” Your body is the temple of God… Sexual sin blasphemes that temple. This sin is distinctive because it violates your body which houses the Holy Spirit. If you want to know Jesus’ opinion of defiling the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, just read about His Clearing of the Temple with a bullwhip.

2. Sexual sin hurts people. God created sex to produce life, and to allow a husband and wife to become one … any other practice harms us. Every deviation ends in destruction. Look around at the demolished families, broken people, and the “spiritual roadkill” of ministries that have imploded because of this sin.  Like a disease immorality is malignant and progressive. Pornography is often the starting point and believing porn is victimless, will make you a victim.   

So, sexual sin degrades God’s Temple, and hurts His children. The Bible commands that we love God …and love our neighbor. This sin violates both elements of that commandment. You cannot ignore God’s law. If you plant immorality, you will harvest devastation.

Even though the consequences are obvious and irrefutable, our culture refuses to tolerate restraints on our sexuality … Truth is considered hateful, and facts about its harmfulness are disregarded. So don’t expect applause, you will be mocked and canceled... But God is clear on the topic, this sin is lethal, and you would be wise to avoid it, because it destroys everything it touches.

“Purity is to live according to original design.” - Josh McDowell


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