Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas
Explore the consequences of succumbing to worldly desires, particularly unmature sex, and emphasizes the importance of choosing to listen to God's guidance over worldly temptations.
Good morning, family! Today, we delve into a topic that might ruffle a few feathers, but it's essential we have this conversation. We're talking about the consequences of unmature sex, the wages of the flesh, and the power of sin and death. These are not easy issues to navigate, but they are crucial to our understanding of God's rules for our lives.
In 1 John 2:16, the scripture tells us,
"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world."
What does this mean for us in our daily walk with Christ? How does it impact our relationships and our personal growth?
Before we dive in, let's meditate on these words from Peter Nii Korley: "The only literal enemy in our Christian life is the flesh."
Let us pray.
Dear Lord, we ask for your guidance today as we explore these challenging topics. Open our hearts and minds, Lord, to your word and your teachings. Help us to understand the consequences of our actions and to choose wisely in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's dive into our discussion.
The consequences of unmature sex are far-reaching and profound, affecting not just the individuals involved, but also their families, communities, and even their relationship with God.
Definition: The term "unmature sex" refers to sexual activity that occurs outside the boundaries of a committed, marital relationship. This includes premarital sex, adultery, and sexual immorality of all kinds.
What the Bible says: The Bible is clear in its teachings about sexual purity. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul writes, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This scripture highlights the spiritual implications of sexual immorality. When we engage in unmature sex, we are not just sinning against our bodies, but also against the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
A physical level: Unmature sex can lead to a host of negative consequences, including unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional trauma. These outcomes can have a lasting impact on an individual's life, affecting their physical health, emotional wellbeing, and future relationships.
Unwanted pregnancies and STDs: This can lead to difficult decisions about abortion, adoption, or raising a child outside of a stable, two-parent family. These decisions can be emotionally taxing and can lead to a lifetime of regret and guilt. Sexually transmitted diseases, on the other hand, can cause serious health problems and can even be life-threatening.
An emotional level: Unmature sex can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. These feelings can be difficult to overcome and can affect an individual's self-esteem and mental health. They can also affect future relationships, as individuals may struggle to form healthy, trusting relationships after experiencing the emotional trauma of unmature sex.
Spiritual consequences: As believers, we are called to honor God with our bodies. When we engage in sexual immorality, we are not just sinning against ourselves, but also against God. This can lead to a sense of spiritual emptiness and a feeling of separation from God. It can also affect our relationship with the church community, as we may feel judged or ostracized because of our actions.
Continuous sin: Unmature sex can lead to a cycle of sin and repentance that can be difficult to break. The momentary pleasure of sexual immorality can be addictive, leading individuals to repeat the same sinful behavior over and over again. This can lead to a sense of hopelessness and despair, as individuals struggle to break free from the cycle of sin.
As believers, we are called to honor God with our bodies and to flee from sexual immorality.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about sexual immorality with in your own life or someone you know/knew. How did this affect your/their faith and life?
The wages of the flesh refers to the consequences of yielding to the desires of the flesh, which are often contrary to the will of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO