Honestly, I don’t think we quite understand the implications to sexual impurity. I hope you’ll take some time to read this post and then share it.

Why would I tackle such a controversial subject? Especially, when some might have harsh words in their disagreement. My answer has several reasons:

• There is an all-inclusive message the world is preaching and the church is adopting.
• The church is ignoring it.
• Believers (especially the next generation of church leaders) are confused.
• Many are faced with it and not sure what to think, believe, or do.

So, let me set the stage for my message. Here it is, plain and simple… God’s design for sex is between a man and woman inside the bounds of marriage. God said, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” (Genesis 2:24). God’s first institution was marriage. God alone can define the parameters for its use. And using sex outside its intended use is abuse. It’s SIN.

Adultery, premarital sex, pornography, and homosexual relations (and everything that includes) are OUTSIDE God’s design.

The misuse of sex can be traced all the way back to Genesis, when God destroyed the world with a flood (Genesis 6) and two cities with fire (Genesis 19) because of sexual depravity. The nation of Israel struggled with sexual impurity throughout the Old Testament as they consistently bowed to false gods. Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus condemned sexual immorality and Paul mentions it in Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. And then Jesus condemned the church at Thyatira for their sexual impurity in the revelation given to John (Revelation 2:18-29).

As you can see, the Bible has a lot to say about sexual impurity. So, why is it so bad? What effects does it have on us? Here are a few specific things…

Sexual impurity makes it impossible to maintain a healthy intimacy with God! Ephesians 4:17-19

The Greek word for impurity means, “defiled, foal, ceremonially unfit.” It connotes actions that render a person unfit to enter God’s presence. Those who persist in unrepentant immorality and impurity cannot come into the presence of God.

Sexual impurity defiles and dishonors your body! 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

The Bible tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The temple in the Old Testament was a sacred, holy place. A place where the children of Israel could come and worship God. When Jesus came through the temple courts just before Passover, He was angry because merchants were trading and selling. This was NOT the place for it. So, He overturned the tables and shooed them out. We are to keep our temples pure as well. Sexual impurity dishonors the temple that was created for holiness.

Sexual impurity cannot make us holy or righteous! 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

The phrase Kingdom of God in the above verses means, “righteousness.” Therefore, when we are actively engaged in sexual impurity, we cannot be righteous. And holiness is what we are to strive for as we wait for our Lord’s return.

Sexual impurity comes from our flesh and causes us to walk in the flesh! Galatians 5:16-19

Even if we long to walk by the Spirit, sexual impurity keeps us bound up in the flesh and it is impossible to walk by the Spirit. Nothing good ever comes from our flesh. Sexual impurity is selfish and prideful. It’s what we want (our lustful desires), not what God wants.

Here are some common thoughts among believers (the excuses they use for sexual impurity):

God loves and accepts everyone! To this I say, “Oh, yes He does.” But while He loves and accepts everyone, He does not accept their sin. Remember the woman caught in adultery (John 8) and the woman at the well (John 4)? God never gave them the permission to continue in their sin. He offered them a new way.

God believes in love! Again, I would say “Yes He does.” No one believes in love more than God. But He also set parameters to His design.

Times have changed and what was considered wrong in the Bible is no longer considered sin! Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” So while the culture changes, God’s Word (His precepts) never do.

I can still have a relationship with God because He understands! Listen to the words in Proverbs 28:9: “God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law.” God simply doesn’t hear the prayer of the one who is actively living in sexual impurity. But He does hear the repentant prayer (Acts 3:19): “Oh Lord! I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. Help me to overcome this.”

But I’m not doing it. I need to accept it so I don’t lose my loved one! James writes: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17). Accepting it is just as serious as engaging in it. We need to put truth above everything and everyone in our lives.

Sexual sin destroys families, relationships with people and with God, our self-worth, our integrity, and our reputation. It also destroys our joy and our peace. If we are living in sexual impurity, then we are not able to experience the rich life Jesus came to give us. 

Now, listen to the GOOD NEWS! God is a forgiving God and He gladly accepts our repentance. When we choose Him over our flesh, He will restore to us what’s been lost. But remember… sin has consequences and some things may never be like before. But when we repent of our sin, He wipes the slate clean and will never hold that sin against us.

Such good news, huh?

I only skimmed the surface today, but please share this message with others. Someone needs to hear it.

Blessings,

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