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. 6:18-19 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. 39:9).
In 2 Samuel 11 we read of David’s sin with Bathsheba. In chapter 12 David repents and is pardoned. (Psalm 51 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. 12:15-19). While God promises to forgive sin that is truly confessed to Him (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 1:6, “David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias.”
In Galatians 2:20 we read, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Do we believe this? Paul wrote, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). We are the bride of Christ! Someday soon we will be united with Him at “the marriage of the Lamb.” In that day we will be “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white” (Rev. 19:7-8). Will we keep ourselves pure for Him now, in view of that wonderful coming time?
“This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication” (1 Thess. 4:3). “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20). 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. 6:16). The reference here takes us back to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 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 14:15).
K. Heslop