1 Corinthians 6:18(KJV)
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
The dictionary meaning of the word fornication means any unlawful sexual intercourse. The Greek definition of the word fornication means to commit illicit sexual intercourse. Fornication is always a mutual sin engaged in by two or more. It is sometimes called premarital sex. The Bible identifies it as a sin against oneself. The Holy Spirit hates fornication. It is because our body is the temple of God and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Fornication separates God from His Temple and keeps God outside His Throne in our hearts. We incur the wrath of God when we destroy His temple. Some people erroneously think that they can fornicate without affecting the presence of the Holy Spirit in them. No way! How can we expect the Holy Spirit, whose personality is defined by holiness, to dwell in a body yielded to filthiness? The Bible in James 4:4 says, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Fornication is not just tolerated in our society but is being encouraged. Fornication is being committed even among Christians, as many couples live together and have sex before marriage. As children of God, we are to flee fornication. In Genesis 39:7-15, when the wife of Potiphar tried to get Joseph to commit adultery with her, the Bible says that Joseph fled. Joseph knew that committing that sin would eventually finish his destiny. It is because we are literally naked and exposed, physically and spiritually at risk when we engage in fornication. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:” The Will of God for our lives is to abstain from fornication. The pursuits of sin can be temporarily thrilling, but the end result is death. Hebrews 11:25 reminds us that sin produces a moment of gratification and an eternity of remorse. Sex is NOT sinful, God created it, and it is to be practiced in the context God created it. We are free to do what we want, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. People today need to be taught to abstain from sexual intercourse and remain pure virgins before marriage. So many problems in marriages today stem from the fact that they are not virgins when they marry. Many are bringing wounded emotions and diseased bodies into their marriages because of prior licentious affairs. STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are so widespread that the statistics are shocking. Some of these diseases are incurable. What a tragic price to pay for sexual sins?
Beloved, fornication strips the glory of God away from you and clothes you in rags and shame. There is nothing glorious about sexual sin. It never adds anything to you, but it always takes away your prized possessions. Your life as a Christian is a living witness to others, and you cannot break the laws of God without hindering others from coming to Christ. You must live your life in purity before a sinful and wicked world, not according to their standards but according to God’s standard in the Bible. Repent and flee fornication daily! Whatever separates God from you is something to resist by all means! God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. Repent and call on Jesus today, and He will help you come out of any illicit relationship. He will heal you of all past hurts and even heal any disease that you may have contracted. If you obey the words of the Bible and flee fornication and glorify God in your body, the Lord will bless you beyond what you could believe. Never live together outside the bonds of marriage. Remember, flee fornication to escape destruction.
O Lord, help me flee fornication, I receive the grace to honor You daily with my body in Jesus’ Name.