Avoiding Sexual Sin

[Christ4Ever]

Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 NLT

Paul had just finished speaking against sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7), and he knew that some people would argue with him. Indeed, some Christians of Corinth claimed that believers were free to sleep with shrine prostitutes (see 1 Corinthians 6:13-18). So Paul stated that he wasn't speaking by human authority, but by the Spirit. Whoever resisted what Paul said was rejecting God's Law.

However, within a generation, doctrines proclaiming that believers were free to indulge in sexual licentiousness were a major problem in the Church, causing, John, Peter, and Jude to speak out against them (2 Peter 2:13-14; Jude 1:4; Revelation 2:14, 20-23).

Doctrines of sexual permissiveness are rampant in several of today's churches as well, resulting in fornication and adultery among once-faithful believers. The pleasures of the flesh are very enticing and "convincing," but you must trust God when He declares that such things are sin.

How can you avoid them? The patriarch Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman" (Job 31:1 NLT). You must trust that God knows what He's talking about and refuse to indulge even in a lustful look.

Prayer: God, please help me to be strong in sexual areas and not to give in to temptation. In Jesus' name, I pray.

 

[Dave M]

especially in a culture that breeds on sex, its a lifestyle in this culture, most have no idea its against Gods law when not married.

 

[Christ4Ever]

especially in a culture that breeds on sex, its a lifestyle in this culture, most have no idea its against Gods law when not married.

Dear Brother Dave,
That was also the case during the time of Paul, as the devotional makes mention of. Humanity has not changed in that respect. The difference probably is in the accessibility of it through the technology we use. It can be kept private, and because of this we must be reminded of what our Lord did say that whatever is done in darkness will one day come to the light of day (Luke 8:17).

That is why adages are always created in the world to reflect the ability to get away with things i.e. "Out of sight out of mind", "What happen in Vegas stays in Vegas". Not just promoting lasciviousness but a lifestyle that is very reflective of times when Christianity did not exist. Christianity gave the world a standard by which morality could be viewed, that was previously only identifiable through the Commandments given to Israeli. However those laws belonged to them, while other cultures had their own beliefs of right and wrong. So, as Israeli was hated, so are we as Christians and so others sayings like "You Christians think you're so perfect.", will continue to resound against those who are faithful. We need to continue to stand tall in the faith and be reflective of our Lord, even when we think no one is looking.

So, for as bad as it is in these days, there is still hope for those who do not know Christ, and for us in fellowship/assembly in reminding each other the need to be pure and holy vessels of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Thanks for your thoughts brother.
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBID
Nick
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