Std Series

B. Dealing with Sexual Immorality (v. 17-20)

1. In the rest of these verses, Paul gives one main instruction on dealing with sexual immorality, and three truths to bolster that command. There is a link in scripture b/t overcoming sin and knowledge of God. So he begins with more “do you not know” statements. 1) Know that you are in a special union with Christ. Believers are one with Christ like a husband is one with his wife. There is a special bond, He’s in you, and you’re in Him, “the hope of glory.” 2) Know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. God dwells within you. It is His home, therefore it is holy ground. Temple desecration was one of the highest blasphemies to the Jews. And this Spirit was given you by God wholly by His grace. 3) Know that you don’t own you. You were purchased by God at a very high price. The precious blood of Jesus was spilt for the ransom of your soul. Herein lies the gospel. 4) Therefore Paul says, “FLEE” from sexual immorality. It means to run away quickly or escape because of danger or fear. Paul’s message is that there is great danger in sexual immorality. It is present tense noting the continuing need to keep fleeing.

2. Ezek 16:8, Gen 39:12, 2 Tim 2:22, 1 Thess 4:3-5,

3. Illustration: David Brainerd notes in his diary the “special seasons of sweetness” in His personal time with Christ, experiencing this union, Antiochus Epiphanies in order the infuriate the Jews and demonstrate his dominance of them and their God, sacrificed a pig on the altar of the Temple, and became the example for Jesus to say, “when you see the Abomination of Desolation,” "But you promised..." cried the youth. "You knew what I was when you picked me up." said the snake as it slithered away." You didn’t accept how He feels about your body as a temple of God. Just what did you accept about Christ?"

4. Some of the best weaponry for combating this kind of thing is to read deeply theological material. Study the person and attribute of God. 1) Christ has loved you, covered you with His wing, and betrothed you to Himself. Remind yourself constantly of His love for you and the covenant between the two of you. Enjoy His presence with you. Seek those times of sweetness with Him. 2) Put up signs in your mind, and in your home and office if necessary, that you are not to destroy the Spirit’s house. To take the Spirit’s temple through sexual immorality is to spit in the face of the God of grace. 3) You may have rights granted by the USA, but not by God. He has sole, absolute authority in your life. But that authority is sweet to you, because you know that He is good, loving, wise, and kind toward His children. Fight sin in your life with the gospel! Claim the blood of Christ and the freedom from sin’s bondage. But remember, you have to ask permission of the owner before you do anything to the house. Ask Him if it’s OK to view pornography, to be sexually active with your boyfriend, to fantasize about a coworker? 4) We don’t usually take the drastic steps like Jesus mentioned, but if ever there was a time for it, this sin demands it. Do not toy with this sin; be deathly afraid of it. It will take you down, and leave lasting scars. It will mess up your thoughts, your finances, your relationships, your priorities, your marriages, your testimony, your conscience, and most importantly your relationship with Christ. It also runs the gamut of the patience of God to the point where He may turn you over to your own lusts. Memorize scripture, put up filters on your computer, get accountability, read Every Man’s Battle.