Sins of Society (4) Sexual Sins

Sensual overtones are portrayed everywhere Sexual Sins Today, what the Bible calls fornication is an accepted and even encouraged behavior. Sensual overtones are portrayed everywhere Even our government is seeking to force us to accept sinful relationships and behavior.

Sexual Sins A CDC report from 2013 on youth risk behaviors, note - 46.8% of students (teens) have reported sexual relations in their life. 34% said they were active (within the last 30 days). More than half of adults cohabit before marrying. This also increases the likelihood of divorce if they marry. (www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/ss/ss6304.pdf)

Churches have divided over this as well Sexual Sins Sexual sins have done their damage – STDs, unstable homes, unwanted pregnancies and abortions, welfare dependency, damaged marriages, reputation, etc. Churches have divided over this as well

Fornication πορνεία (porneia), “illicit sexual intercourse” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary) Describes any unlawful sexual relations (“sexual immorality”) Includes homosexuality, bestiality, pre-married or unmarried relations, prostitution, incest, extra- marital sexual relations (adultery), etc.

Fornication “Sexual intercourse performed outside of the bonds of marriage, considered an immoral work of the flesh.” (Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary)

Fornication It is a sin! 1 Corinthians 6:9 Galatians 5:19-21 Ephesians 5:3 Colossians 3:5 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 Revelation 21:8

Fornication It is against God’s intent for fulfilling our desires God instituted marriage (between a man and a woman) to satisfy our sexual desires Genesis 2:18, 21-24 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 cf. 1 Cor. 6:12-20 Hebrews 13:4

Fornication Fornication originates in the heart – Matthew 15:19 Described as a sin against one’s own body – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, (12ff) Once committed, purity cannot be reclaimed. It is taking a sacred act of love & bonding and turning it into an act of undisciplined lust (Romans 1:24, 1 Thess. 4:4)

It can be resisted - 1 Corinthians 6:18, Genesis 39:12-13 Fornication Fornication is a sin against God – Genesis 39:9, 2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 51:4 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 It can be resisted - 1 Corinthians 6:18, Genesis 39:12-13 It can be forgiven – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

If you are involved in this, you ARE influencing others! Fornication If you are involved in this, you ARE influencing others! It is a sin that involves others 1 Corinthians 5:1 Your moral influence is damaged

Fornication Some reason that as long as the act is consensual and/or in a loving relationship it is acceptable This IS what is being advocated and implied in society It STILL violates the intent of the marriage bed (Heb. 13:4) 1 Corinthians 7:2, 8-9, confines this to marriage.

Adultery Illicit sexual relations with one other than their spouse Sometimes distinguished from fornication – Matt. 19:9, 1 Corinthians 7:2, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9, etc. Adultery is a type of fornication! Receives special attention because of the sacredness of marriage vows, etc.

Adultery Under the Old Law, adultery was punishable by death – Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22. One of the 10 commandments – Exodus 20:14 Adultery used to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to God – Jeremiah 3:8

Adultery Adultery gives cause for the innocent party to divorce and remarry – Matthew 5:32, 19:8-9 To divorce and remarry for any OTHER cause is adultery. It is NOT recognized by God and must be ended! (Matthew 19:4-6) MARRIAGE IS FOR LIFE! Adultery damages marriages!

Where fornication and adultery begin! Lust in the heart Where fornication and adultery begin! Galatians 5:19, Colossians 3:5, Ephesians 5:3 – Uncleanness, lewdness, passion. Defined as moral impurity, unrestrained lustful conduct, “filthiness”, etc.

Lust in the heart Pornography, is a scourge on society. It provokes lustful thoughts and often portrays unrealistic expectations of what sexual relations is about. Matthew 5:27-30 2 Peter 2:14, “eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sin…”

Christians are to live lives of purity! We are to be holy! Lust in the heart Christians are to live lives of purity! We are to be holy! Matthew 5:8, the pure in heart shall see God. 1 Peter 1:15-16, “be holy as God is holy! Job 31:1, make a covenant with your eyes!

Conclusion: We should be concerned about ALL sin and how we influence others by our decisions Just because society says it is acceptable does NOT make it so! (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25) Let us choose to be lights for Christ and not beacons of darkness for Satan!

How brightly is your light shining?