Not Even a Hint Among You
Not Even a Hint Among You
This is not a comfortable topic but we must deal with the text at hand. Did you hear of a disheartening statistics of Christian singles and sex? According to authors, Pastors Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas, 80% of Christian singles ages 18 to 29 are having sex. It is called the “hookup culture”. Of those surveyed, 75% of those having sex outside of marriage said it is wrong but they are still doing it. The authors wrote a book titled Sex, Dating and Relationships – A Fresh Approach. They claimed that the above national statistics is actually higher when they independently survey their own churches.
I do not know what to make of the statistics but God does through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The devil is liar. He encourages the unmarried to defile themselves and discourages the married from enjoying their union with one another. The marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Let’s say no to Satan’s two lies.
In today’s study, Apostle Paul addresses this issue head on while writing the Ephesian church. Ephesians 5: 1- 7:
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them”.
The command sounds pretty plain until the hormones kick in. What is going on we may ask? Certainly the “god” of this world which has blinded the minds of people is active everywhere and in every age. Yes, our society is gone crazy about sex and nothing sales without it. I submit to you that it did not start today. Satan did not fall from grace today and he has been busy ever since. He robbed Adam and Eve the intimacy they had with God and with one another. He has messed up what God designed to reflect the highest expression of oneness with Him and with couples in marriage – Christ and His Church the bride. Sex results to oneness and that is a reflection of the Gospel –oneness of every believer with Christ. This is why God says no to sexual immorality; it distorts the gospel.
Paul was writing in an Ephesian culture of sexual immorality that resembles today’s “hookup culture”. This is a command to cease and desist. Who am I to say so? After all you never out-grow sexual temptations even after marriage. But I thank God that He is able to keep those who put their trust in Him and cry out for help. Like Joseph of the Bible, there is only one sure solution, run and flee from sexual temptations by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph said to Potiphar wife’s seduction, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Are you struggling to control yourself in this area of sexual purity? Then ask God for help. The word used in the text is not just fornication but also all forms of sexual immorality such as pornography, adultery, homosexuality, steamy novels for our women and all other forms of sexual expression that are meant for marriage. Some of these problems may require help from Christian counselors and treatment for addictions. Let’s seek help if we are caught in these lifestyles. True love will not entice another into sexual sin and immorality. “2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us”.
May God heal us of past sexual sins and immorality. May He grant us a new beginning and the desire to live righteously in holiness (set apart for God only). “6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:6-8. You may have to break up that relationship (outside of marriage) that is making you to grieve the Holy Spirit through sexual sin. Oh Yes! The Lord means it.
Looking for God’s will – single or married? Here it is: “ 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. Amen, with God’s help let’s say now to all forms of sexual immorality and covetousness (greedily wanting more of what God has not permitted for us). Let’s honor God and allow the life of Christ to be lived through us.
This is not a comfortable topic but we must deal with the text at hand. Did you hear of a disheartening statistics of Christian singles and sex? According to authors, Pastors Gerald Hiestand and Jay Thomas, 80% of Christian singles ages 18 to 29 are having sex. It is called the “hookup culture”. Of those surveyed, 75% of those having sex outside of marriage said it is wrong but they are still doing it. The authors wrote a book titled Sex, Dating and Relationships – A Fresh Approach. They claimed that the above national statistics is actually higher when they independently survey their own churches.
I do not know what to make of the statistics but God does through His Word and the Holy Spirit. The devil is liar. He encourages the unmarried to defile themselves and discourages the married from enjoying their union with one another. The marriage bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). Let’s say no to Satan’s two lies.
In today’s study, Apostle Paul addresses this issue head on while writing the Ephesian church. Ephesians 5: 1- 7:
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know,[a] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them”.
The command sounds pretty plain until the hormones kick in. What is going on we may ask? Certainly the “god” of this world which has blinded the minds of people is active everywhere and in every age. Yes, our society is gone crazy about sex and nothing sales without it. I submit to you that it did not start today. Satan did not fall from grace today and he has been busy ever since. He robbed Adam and Eve the intimacy they had with God and with one another. He has messed up what God designed to reflect the highest expression of oneness with Him and with couples in marriage – Christ and His Church the bride. Sex results to oneness and that is a reflection of the Gospel –oneness of every believer with Christ. This is why God says no to sexual immorality; it distorts the gospel.
Paul was writing in an Ephesian culture of sexual immorality that resembles today’s “hookup culture”. This is a command to cease and desist. Who am I to say so? After all you never out-grow sexual temptations even after marriage. But I thank God that He is able to keep those who put their trust in Him and cry out for help. Like Joseph of the Bible, there is only one sure solution, run and flee from sexual temptations by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph said to Potiphar wife’s seduction, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Genesis 39. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Are you struggling to control yourself in this area of sexual purity? Then ask God for help. The word used in the text is not just fornication but also all forms of sexual immorality such as pornography, adultery, homosexuality, steamy novels for our women and all other forms of sexual expression that are meant for marriage. Some of these problems may require help from Christian counselors and treatment for addictions. Let’s seek help if we are caught in these lifestyles. True love will not entice another into sexual sin and immorality. “2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us”.
May God heal us of past sexual sins and immorality. May He grant us a new beginning and the desire to live righteously in holiness (set apart for God only). “6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. 1 John 1:6-8. You may have to break up that relationship (outside of marriage) that is making you to grieve the Holy Spirit through sexual sin. Oh Yes! The Lord means it.
Looking for God’s will – single or married? Here it is: “ 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. Amen, with God’s help let’s say now to all forms of sexual immorality and covetousness (greedily wanting more of what God has not permitted for us). Let’s honor God and allow the life of Christ to be lived through us.
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