November 24
November 24
The allure of sexual immorality seems to be everywhere in this world. How are we to deal with this temptation?
Paul directly addresses our struggle with sexual purity in 1 Corinthians 6:
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:12–20)
Few topics are more relevant for every Christian than sexual temptation. We live in a deeply sexualized culture, where every biblical sexual norm has been rejected. It is nearly impossible to look at your phone or your favorite streaming service without being assaulted by illicit sexuality. What God says is ugly and wrong is pushed at us as being beautiful and right. So this ancient passage is timely.
Paul lays out four principles to guide us in the area of our sexuality. These principles are God’s guardrails, designed to keep us on God’s path of righteousness and safety.
1. The principle of mastery. Paul argues that, even if all things were lawful (they’re not), we must still be aware of the addictive nature of sin, and must determine to be mastered by Christ alone.
2. The principle of eternity. We must approach everything with eternity in view. This life is not about getting all the pleasure you can but rather about preparing for the glorious pleasures to come.
3. The principle of unity. By amazing grace, we are eternally united to Christ. This means that we drag him with us into whatever sexual sin we pursue.
4. The principle of ownership. Since we are children of God, the members of our bodies no longer belong to us to use as we will. By grace, we now live under divine ownership.
These principles are gifts of God’s grace. With them, he is wrapping his arms around you and drawing you close, so that you might be free from the moral dangers all around you. Thank him for his restraining grace.