Walking before the Lord in sexual purity is no easy work. We are constantly bombarded by sexual suggestions on a daily basis. On the walls of almost every barber shop, we see calendars with sexually provocative images vying for the attention of our eyes. We certainly don’t have to look very far to find sexual impurity nowadays.
In the midst of this sex crazed world, there are, however, many believers who are standing in purity and walking in a manner worthy of the Lord as it relates to sexual purity. In this blog-post, I want to share with you four reasons why every believer and (everyone for that matter) should say ‘NO’ to sexual sin. I have already defined sexual sin in another blog-post, so look here for more details, but let me quickly say again that, broadly speaking, sexual sin is anything sexual between unmarried couples.
So here are the four reasons for saying ‘No’ to sexual sin:
First reason - It is a WICKED THING in the eyes of the Lord
You might find this surprising, but sexual sin is seen in the Word of God as a wicked thing. We tend to have our own viewpoints of what we are likely to call ‘wicked’ and for most, sexual sin might not be one of those things. But before you think it’s just my view, let me show you quickly that God’s Word calls it ‘wicked’.
Do you remember the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery and ended up in Egypt. (The whole story is found in Genesis 39). Anyway, Jospeh was repeatedly asked for sex by Potiphar’s wife ..... and guess what? He consistently turned down her advances. He refused to commit sexual sin, but what is interesting is why Joseph said ‘No’.
In Genesis 39:9 Joseph explained that he wouldn’t be sleeping with her and said these words: “.... How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Emphasis mine).
Joseph saw adultery (sexual sin) as a wicked thing in the eyes of the Lord. He didn’t say ‘oh, I would love to but you’re not my type’, he made it abundantly clear that to sleep with her was a wicked thing in the eyes of the Lord.
Second reason - It destroys your body
Sexual sin has a damaging effect on the body. Most people might think that statement only alludes to sexually transmitted diseases, but not true. Although sexual sin does lead to sexually transmitted diseases, sexual sin also has an adverse effect on the psyche of a person. Studies show that sexual sin (of-course it is not referred to as ‘sin’ in academic circles), is responsible for guilty feelings, low self-esteem, anger issues, feelings of worthlessness, suicide and a host of other negatives.
Make no mistake about it, sexual sin is destructive. Look at how Proverbs 7 describes the life of a young man heading in sexual sin:
“He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life” (Proverbs 7:22-23).
This young man described above doesn’t realize the danger of sexual sin until he feels it's painful effect in his body (till an arrow pierces his liver).
Third reason - It Damages Family Relations
Sexual sin, many times has an adverse effect on the family structure. If there is one big negative of sexual sin is that it has the tendency to increase the chances of children being born out of wedlock.
Unfortunately, the norm in the world today is that many children are born into brokenness and what exacerbates the problem is that, in most cases, when the child is born, it is the mother who bears the brunt of the responsibility for the child or the grandparents (or grandparent).
The single parent home has hurt many a child in ways that are indeed far-reaching. The problems range from little attention to no attention or from little guidance to no guidance and the end result is that children end up raising themselves. This is certainly not God’s design.
God’s design of a family where mommy and daddy are married and operating under God’s Word is a bullet proof design for the child.
Sexual sin has unfortunately robbed many a child of the opportunity to grow up in a caring and loving family structure.
Fourth reason - It puts you in an Eternal Hell
The last reason is the most important reason to avoid sexual sin. Sexual sin can land one in an eternal hell house. That’s not my opinion, but Jesus’ truth.
Look at what Jesus said in relation to sexual sin:
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Mathew 5:28-29).
Look at what the Word of God says again:
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral,...... (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Look again at Ephesians 5:5:
“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5)
One very powerful reason to avoid sexual sin is because it can land one in hell. Jesus made it abundantly clear that sin leads to death, which means - separation from God for all eternity.
The very reason Jesus died on a cross was to save us from ever entering into this death hole. Only through faith in Jesus can one be saved and this salvation gives us a change of heart to towards sin ...... ALL SIN.
Sex is God’s idea, but sexual sin is the devils idea. Satan’s aim has always been to pervert the gifts of God and then tempt us to give in to his perversions so he can destroy us. God, on the other hand, has given us the beautiful gift of sex and He desires for us to enjoy his gift (sex) in the context for which it was created - Marriage.
Let us enjoy God’s gifts in the manner and context that God intended for us and say a resounding ‘No’ to the enemies attempts to entice us to give in to sexual sin.
If you are desirous of walking before the Lord in sexual purity and you need practical help, check out the biblically based devotional 21 Days To Sexual Purity. It has helped many individuals to develop a walk of sexual integrity and learn how to say ‘No’ in the face of sexual temptation.
