We are dealing with one of the most difficult topics. It is the one that falls under the Command … “You shall not commit adultery”. It’s difficult because almost every human being has sensual desires because God created us sexual beings. As good as this is, our problem lies in the distortion sin had introduced into what God gave as a beautiful gift to be used for His glory and the pleasure of a husband and wife within a monogamous union. There are a few issue to consider before returning to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5, where He says:
Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’”
6) Pornography.
1 Cor 5:5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
The phrase “no immoral” comes from the word “pornos” which is associated with “pornea” from which we get the word pornography. This industry is huge and thriving because they have, although sinfully, taped into man’s most vulnerable point. Many women participate too. The problem with pornography, apart from being sexual sin is that it is fantasy. It’s all in the imagination and very easy addictive. Once the addiction starts it is impossible for the participator to return to a normal Godly sexual life without Biblical counselling. Another problem with pornography is that the participator is encouraged to experience, although in the fantasy world, the degradation of sexual immorality of the most evil and wicked sorts.
7) Nudity and exposure.
(1) Many claim nudity needs to be seen as art.
(2) Many are angered when the Church requests women (and men) to dress modestly. Very few in our world understand what nudity and exposure does to men in particular. The male is crafted differently to the female. Where she is normally seduced through the ear gate and the sense of touch, the male is seduced through the eye gate. Many woman say it is their right to dress as they please … to dress in a way that is comfortable and also makes them feel good. The greatest problem is that generally women do not understand the sensual makeup of the man. He sees and this affects him sensually. We will return to what Jesus said … but consider these words for now:
Mt 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Looking at a woman who is either nude or dressed scantily or provocatively is very bad news for men. As an aside, rape often happens not because of what the man saw in the woman he raped but in the women whose dress initiated his hormones to kick in. This is not justification for rape. It is an observation. Too often women are the ones who provoke men to sexual sin!
8) One of the hottest topics in the world today regarding sexual activity is that of homosexuality!
(a) People might label homosexuality as “gay”. The Bible uses the word homosexual. It goes further though … homosexuality is not limited to men. It includes women. God does not recognize the word “lesbian”. It is male or female homosexuals.
(b) Although people attempt to talk away the homosexual activities in Genesis 19 … one cannot misunderstand God’s Word:
Gen 19:4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.” 6Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
Even a casual reading of this passage shows the reality of homosexuality and sadly of a father offering his virgin daughters for sexual purposes.
(c) Male and female homosexuality. Understand how much God detests this act:
Ro 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
(d) Will homosexuals get into God’s heaven?
1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
Only as they repent and believe will they go to heaven!
1Co 6:11 And that is what some of you were. 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.
7) Sexual sin is sin against the body. Few understand the impact of sexual immorality on their personal being!
1Co 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body.
Most don’t realize that sexual intimacy, in the most pure and reverent manner includes the Creator. The Spirit of God lives within the believer. This means that whatever you do with your sexuality, God is present. This is why He says “flee from sexual immorality” and “You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” You need to grasp that sexual sin affects you physically, emotionally, relationally … and especially spiritually. It’s no wonder that under inspiration Paul moves from this passage to deal with marriage and singleness in chapter 8!
8) Here’s a parting shot for today to think about and meditate upon … three verses in one book … why is God repetitive?
SS 2:7 Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
SS 3:5 Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
SS 8:4 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
O God, help me to be sexually pure and faithful. Amen.