“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)
Just because I can doesn’t mean I should! Just because I can doesn’t mean it’s good for me (1 Corinthians 6:12). Our bodies were made for the Lord, and not simply to fulfill our desires. And He knows what is best for us!
We are told to run from sexual sin because it clearly affects our body negatively! A Cambridge study (obviously not from a Christian world view) revealed negative effects of sexual sin. It reduces brain function. Creates addiction. Decreases pleasure. Erodes attachment. Increases loneliness. Destroys marriages. And promotes aggressions! Sexual immorality is indeed, a sin against our own body!
1 Corinthians 7:2 goes on to reveal that intimacy requires exclusivity. It’s between one man and one woman for life! Sex is actually a threat to intimacy when not in boundaries. Psychology Today (again, not from a Christian source) says that cohabitation today is not beneficial. It hurts future marriage relations. If you’re willing to have sex with someone not your spouse now, what is going to keep you from having sex with someone not your spouse after you’re married? The bottom line is, radical exclusivity fosters intimacy!
You were made for the Lord and He cares about your body! His guidelines are not repressive but are for your freedom and fulfillment!
Pray for the truth of this message to be heard and grasped, starting in the Church, your church. Pray for marriages and sexual purity at your church. Pray for your pastor and his marriage. Pray that he would have wisdom, courage and sensitivity to speak the truth about Biblical marriage between one man and one woman for life! Pray for those trapped in sexual sin, at any level, to be set free!
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Btw, these are just some notes from the message by Joel Thomas in a series called Intimate Encounters at Athens Church. You can hear this message at https://athenschurch.com/watch?sapurl=Lys1ODAwL2xiL21pLyt3YzM3anEzP2F1dG9wbGF5PXRydWUmYnJhbmRpbmc9dHJ1ZSZlbWJlZD10cnVlJnJlY2VudFJvdXRlPWFwcC53ZWItYXBwLmxpYnJhcnkubGlzdCZyZWNlbnRSb3V0ZVNsdWc9JTJCc2gyNzZjdw==. You can catch the next one this coming Sunday (June 11) at Athens Church at either the 9:15 or 11am service, or you can check their website soon after.
