"Keep Thyself Pure"

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 7
The world in which we live makes immorality appear normal and acceptable. And, sadly, even some Christians treat this sin lightly. But it is a solemn act of sin before God and may leave lifelong scars.
In 1 Cor. 6:18-1918Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:18‑19) we read, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” Sexual immorality (fornication) is a sin against the temple of the Holy Spirit! Joseph understood the seriousness of this when tempted by Potiphar’s wife. “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:99There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? (Genesis 39:9)).
In 2 Samuel 11 we read of David’s sin with Bathsheba. In chapter 12 David repents and is pardoned. (Psalm 519Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. (Psalm 51:9) is David’s expression of repentance.) But was that the end? Sadly no, for we read that God allowed the son born to them as a result of this sin to die (2 Sam. 12:15-1915And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? 19But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. (2 Samuel 12:15‑19)). While God promises to forgive sin that is truly confessed to Him (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)), our ways bring upon us His governmental dealings. Their sin was not forgotten, for we read in the lineage of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:66And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; (Matthew 1:6), “David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.”
“This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thess. 4:33For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: (1 Thessalonians 4:3)). “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:2020For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)). It is the will of the One to whom we belong that we abstain from fornication. Don’t let the abominable morals of this “present evil world” harden your hearts to His Word!
Consider the result of fornication. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body? for two, saith He, shall be one flesh” (1 Cor. 6:1616What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. (1 Corinthians 6:16)). The reference here takes us back to Adam and Eve in Genesis 216And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (Genesis 2:16). “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:2424Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)). The intimate physical relationship between a husband and his wife is one of the natural joys of marriage. Those who indulge in this relationship outside of marriage still become one flesh.
Dear young believer, fornication is not some passing pleasure, but a sin which can bring a lifetime reproach! Keep yourself pure, beloved young Christian. Our blessed Lord and Saviour loves you, and He deserves your love and fidelity. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:1515If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)).
K. Heslop