The Spiritual Battle - 66 Fornication - A Sin Against Your Own Body

“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, KJV).
Introduction
Loved ones, in our Soiritual Battle with the evil one, it doesn't take a prophet to look around and see a great nation heading for destruction. Solomon wrote, "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The principle set forth here has application for every generation. Sin has always been, and will always be, the most destructive element in a nation of people.
Notice the conditions of Judah, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 6:15). Our nation and much of the world are in the same condition today!
The present society has devolved to the point that sin is rampant and people in general have little respect for the word of God. In a world filled with temptations and shifting moral standards, the Bible stands firm as our guide for holy living.
Over and over God has stated the punishment for presumption and rebellion, yet many are openly living in those sins. One of the clearest commands from God concerns sexual purity – fornication.
Our text warns the believer to “flee fornication (sexual immorality).” Why? Because our bodies belong to God – purchased by the blood of Christ. Fornication, which is sexual relations outside of marriage, dishonors God, harms us, and invites judgment. But God calls us to a higher path of holiness.
Let us explore what the Scriptures teach about this sin, its consequences, and the way to victory through Christ.
Bible Teachings On Fornication
First, we must understand what the Bible means by fornication. The Greek word translated as fornication or sexual immorality is "porneia," which covers all forms of unlawful sexual activity, including premarital sex, adultery, lesbianism, and other impure acts.
God designed sexual relations for the marriage bond between one man and one woman. As Hebrews 13:4 states, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." This verse honors marriage as God's plan and warns that those who violate it face divine judgment.
From the beginning, God established marriage as a sacred union. In Genesis 2:24, we read, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Fornication breaks this one-flesh bond and goes against God's creation order.
The New Testament repeatedly lists fornication among sins that keep people from inheriting the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul warns, "9 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God." Notice how fornication heads this list of sexual sins.
Similarly, in Galatians 5:19-21, Paul describes the works of the flesh: “19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:3-5 echoes this warning: “3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” This passage links fornication to idolatry, showing that it places something else, like lust, above God. We should focus on thankfulness and purity.
In Colossians 3:5-6, we are commanded: “5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.” Here, fornication is something we must actively put to death by crucifying our sinful desires.
God's wrath comes on those who disobey, but believers are called to a new life in Christ, as verse 10 says, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
The Thessalonian church received clear instruction on this matter in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: “3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 that no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
Abstaining from fornication (sexual immorality) is God's will for our sanctification, setting us apart as holy. It involves self-control and honoring others, not using them for selfish pleasure. Rejecting this teaching means rejecting God Himself.
The book of Revelation reinforces the eternal consequences. In Revelation 21:8, John writes, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” The sexually immoral (whoremongers), including fornicators, face the second death in hell unless they repent.
Bible Examples Of Fornication
As we see above, fornication is grouped with other destructive behaviors that stem from living by fleshly desires rather than by the Spirit. God expects us to turn away from such sins and walk in the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
The Bible also provides examples to illustrate these truths. Consider Joseph in Genesis 39:7-12. When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, Joseph refused, saying, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v. 9). He fled from the temptation, showing us how to resist.
On the other hand, David's sin with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 led to adultery, murder, and great sorrow. Even though David repented (Psalm 51), the consequences affected his family for generations. This story teaches that fornication brings short-term pleasure but long-term pain, while purity brings God's blessing.
Homosexuality is pictured in God's word as a sin worthy of death. “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). But today people argue that it is only an “alternate lifestyle.” God said they were to be put to death! Who do we believe: God or man?
Satan does his best to convince humans that we are the ultimate authority – that there is no God and no absolute of right and wrong, good and evil. Yet, in the New Testament Paul wrote: “26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26-27). Notice God gave them up to await the final judgment.
Reports were publicized years ago which claimed that the homosexual has a brain difference from other men, so that he can’t help being what he is. But, by inspiration, Paul listed homosexuality as a sin and stated: “…11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified… (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). They changed! Their problem was not a brain disorder but a lustful desire that led them into this terrible sin.
The attitude of the majority towards such sins of immorality is that everyone has the right to live as he pleases and to do what he wishes, as long as he doesn’t hurt someone else.
The special laws that are being passed for the protection and elevation of this particular type of sinners have placed them in a privileged category. But we must be under no delusion, and we must make no mistake about it: this approval of evil will lead to the destruction of our nation.
Incorporated within the fabric of each type of sinful behavior is the destructive result. Yes, God’s judgment on that great day will carry eternal condemnation, but in this life – NOW – those who live by sin will suffer physical and emotional consequences. The majority will eventually die by their sin – whether it be from sexual promiscuity and immorality, or drunkenness, evil and covetous desires, or other violations of God’s law. The consequences cannot be escaped – all will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
How To Flee Fornication
It is God’s will that all people turn from sin and obey the gospel of Christ, so that His blood can wash away their past sins. Every soul is precious in God’s sight, but He cannot save anyone in sin. God wants all to be saved.
The Apostle Peter penned: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). God will forgive any and every sin, but repentance must come first. This means one must cease to commit the sin.
So, how do we flee fornication? Second Timothy 2:22 instructs, "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." We must run from temptation and chase after godly virtues with fellow believers. Surround yourself with those who encourage purity.
Guard your mind, as Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life." Avoid situations that lead to sin, like being alone with someone of the opposite sex outside of marriage, especially if you are married to someone else. Fill your life with prayer, Bible study, and service to God.
Conclusion
Fornication is a serious sin that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), but His Word calls us to purity and offers forgiveness through Jesus. Let us glorify God in our bodies, living holy lives that honor Him. As Paul urged in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Choose holiness today; it is worth every effort for the eternal reward.
Invitation
CHRISTIAN: If you are living in fornication or any sin, there is hope and forgiveness if you will only repent and walk in the light (1 John 1:7). First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God can restore and strengthen you.
If you have not yet become a Christian by obeying the gospel, then YOU MUST believe in Jesus as the Son of God: "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24).
YOU MUST repent of your sins. Jesus says you will perish if you don’t (Luke 13:3, 5). "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
YOU MUST confess your faith in Jesus as LORD: “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
And YOU MUST be baptized for the remission of sins: “38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Jesus declares, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Obey the gospel now and walk in purity with God.
The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have Bible questions or wish to comment on this post, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35). Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA.