“Moral Issues Confronting Christians” What Many Accept As Authority In Morality: Feelings Conscience Friends Ministers Definition of Authority – Greek Work – Exousia (Power, Control, or one who possess Authority to strengthen. Definition of Morality – Principle of the ability to distinguish between that which is right or wrong. Values, Conduct, or Ethics.

Sexual Immorality 1 Thessalonians 4: 3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual immorality. – Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. The admonition to “Flee immorality” is needed because sexual immorality is rampant in our society today. Morality is being loosely defined and redefined encouraging many to engage in sinful behavior. Those who follow Christ (Christians) must have a clear understanding of sexual immorality and its dangers.

The Definition of Sexual Immorality The Greek word translated sexual immorality, fornication, is porneia. Used to refer to any sexual sin. Thus, it includes any form of illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals. It was such a problem in the 1st Century that the Apostle Paul wrote of the word (porneia) five times in his epistles. 1Corinthians 5: 9-13 1Corinthians 6: 9-10 Galatians 5: 19-22 Ephesians 5: 3-5 Colossians 3:5

The Devastation of Sexual Immorality Destroys The Body: Through bacterial (STD) (Chlamydia, Syphilis, Gonorrhea). Through Viral STDs (Genital Herpes, Hepatitis B, AIDS, which are incurable. Many people have learned the hard way, what Solomon warned his son” Proverb 5: 11-12 – “and thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and body are consumed, And say, how have I hated instructions, and my heart despised reproof. Demolish The Home: Marriages intended for life are broken, often beyond repair. Matthew 19: 4-6 – “And he answered and said unto them, have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female. And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall twain as one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God had joined together, let not man put asunder.

Children are devastated, with emotional effects lasting into adulthood. Malachi 2: 16 – “…..therefore take heed of your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” C. Desolated The Soul: If unrepented and unforgiven, “What We Sow We Will Reap” – Gal.6:7. Hebrew 13: 4 – “Marriage is Honorable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” 1st Cor. 6 9-10 – “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived neither fornicators, not idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, not abusers of themselves with mankind. Not thieves, not covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, not extortioners, shall inherit the king of God.” We can see why the Bible teaches “US” to “Flee sexual immorality” (1st Cor. 6: 18). It is not to be taken lightly

How To Avoid Sexual Immorality Have the Ability to discern between what is Right versus Wrong: Remember God’s Will for you. Joseph understood that sexual immorality was a sin against God – Genesis 39:9. 1 Thessalonian 4: 3, “ for this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication.” Remember God’s Will for Your Body: To control your body in holiness and honor – 1 Thess. 4: 4-8. To glorify God in your body, as a temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor. 6: 19- 20. To present your body as a living sacrifice, holy to God, Romans 12: 1-2.

Remember the Consequences: Self recrimination – Proverb 5: 12-13. Lost of friendships – Proverb 6: 30-35. Lost of body and soul – 1 Cor. 6: 9-10; Hebrew 13: 4. Remember David’s Sin with Bathsheba serves as a example or a lesson to learn from – 2 Samuel 11-12. 4. Find A Spiritual Suitable Wife: Marriage between Man & Woman is the appropriate remedy to destroy sexual immorality. 1st Cor. 7: 1-7 Hebrews 13: 4 Genesis 2: 18 Being Single is good, if one has self control, otherwise marriage is the oly option.

Forge Ahead With Strength From God: Unite With Christ in baptism, consider oneself dead to sin – Romans 6: 1-15. By the Spirit, put to death the sinful deeds of the body – Romans 8: 12- 13; Col. 3: 5-7. In Christ we can do all things that God desires of “US” – Phil. 4: 13; Ephesians 6: 10-13. Utilize the tool of prayer and the Word of God - Ephesians 3: 16

What Must I Do To Be Saved? Hear The Gospel – Romans 10: 17 “Faith Comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Believe The Gospel – Mark 16: 16 “ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned.” Repent of Sins – Luke 13: 3 “Repent or You will Perish” Confess Christ – Romans 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteous; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Be Baptized – Acts 2: 38 “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”