FLEE FORNICATION!
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1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I’d like us to begin this topic by reading a passage written by the Apostle Paul to the church at Corinth.
“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral [porneos – fornicators] people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world [unbelievers], or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go OUT of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to EAT with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders [unbelievers]? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”
What was going on in the church at Corinth? There was a man who was having sexual relations with his father’s wife. The Church knew of this perpetual sin and it got back to Paul. This was not a matter to merely be swept under the blood of Jesus and therefore, tolerated.
Before we go any further, please note the underlined portions above. These sections deal with the unsaved world; those who do NOT claim to be “brothers” in the Lord. The bolded sections deal with those who DO claim to be “brothers” in the Lord! Do you see the difference in judgment? Paul is saying believers have to be among unbelievers because we can’t just merely leave this world. We are called to witness to them, with and without words. We must understand that those outside the faith are under God’s divine judgment even now. On the other hand, Paul is rebuking/judging those who call themselves “Christians”, yet practice fornication (and/or the other sins mentioned). 1 Cor 6:18 clearly commands believers to “FLEE FORNICATION”!
Christians do not practice fornication, which is the subject of this exhortation. Fornication includes sex outside of marriage, even if you're 'single', fornicating with the spouse of someone else (Heb 13:4), the viewing of pornography (Mat 5:28) and most abominably, homosexuality (Rom 1). One is not genuinely SAVED if there’s been no repentance and submission to a regenerated life. You might think you’re saved, but be warned: Jude 1:4 clearly states, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Do you know what licentiousness is? Do you see the root of 'license' in there? The passage goes on about how the angels fornicated with women in the days of Noah! This is specifically speaking about sexual freedom.
Well, what about the account of the woman caught in adultery in John 8? “Since no man could condemn her, no man can condemn me either! Since Jesus let her go; He’ll let me go, too!” Did you notice what Jesus said to the woman after He saved her life? He told her to “Go and sin no more”! Did He mean what He said? If He told her to do that, He also gave her the power to keep His commandment. Repent! Don’t be deceived into thinking fornication is okay, while you call yourself a “Christian”. It’s not okay!
Do Not Even EAT With Such A One
We read in 1 Cor 5:11 that believers are not to associate or even eat with a “so-called brother” that practices fornication (and/or the other sins mentioned). Paul also wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians in 6:14-15, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”
But, “I’m a believer”, you say! Look at Heb 10:26 “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.” Do you get that? If you turn the grace of our God into sexual freedom, you are “ungodly” and “deny our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”! Stop this! God tells you to REPENT. You will die in your sin and its consequence, if you don’t repent. Is this true? Read on.
Let’s just look at what the Apostle Paul instructed the church in Corinth to do, regarding this fornicator: “I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” If this man was already saved (he was in church, after all), his spirit wouldn’t need to yet be saved. Paul isn’t turning this one over to the discipline of God, but the judgment of God that abides on unbelievers! This man is likened to the one sitting at the wedding feast without the bridal clothes! (Mat 22:11). What did God do to that one who sat among the saints as though he were one of them? Verse 13 tells us clearly: “Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'”
May we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). We were bought with a price (1 Cor 6:18-20). I had my years of fornication, so I’m not speaking as one who has no compassion; and I am forever grateful my life was not required of me at that time. God nearly turned me over to a reprobate mind (Rom 1). Satan loves to remind me of my past sin, but the thing about true repentance is, GOD REMEMBERS OUR SIN NO MORE! (Ps 103:12; Heb 8:12). The Bible says so! He wills for us NOT to walk in fornication, and instructs the saints to remove themselves from associating with ‘so-called brothers’ who do!
There is hope for those enslaved to fornication. 1 John 5:14 states, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us!” While the Bible also says that God doesn’t hear sinners (John 9:31), He will hear a repentant heart and is willing to deliver and save those who cry out to Him. Wide is the path that leads to destruction and that end is imminent for fornicators. This night, their souls may be required of them (Luke 12:20)! Flee fornication! Once the Lord saves your life, He will then say to you, “Go and sin no more.” And with that command, know that He will grace you with the power to accomplish it. He did it for me; He’ll do it for you!!
- Walk of Shame and Forgiveness
Like Adam and Eve, I chose to hide from God in my own way. When I fell hard years ago, after walking in His Light for so long, I still could hear the sound of Him calling to me. In spite of my walk of shame, I knew He was pleading for me to return ho
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Hello, HOO ~ Luke 17:35 won't wreck the head when studied inductively (using the original language). I researched this and it means two people sitting on a reclining couch [Greek: kline - a small couch]. The original Greek does not include the word "men". If two men (homosexuals) were laying in one bed (fornicating), both face immenent destruction.
Good hub, hard to hear but good nevertheless. When I was in sin I chose to separate myself from Believers not wanting to cause anyone else to sin. The flesh profits nothing.
Inductive study (original language) opens doors most never see after reading some watered down versions. Great hub and one which has been bookmarked here on this end for further study.
Blessings and Hugs
Amen, Brie. I knew this would be a "hard-hitter", but God moved me to write it and I am obedient to do so. It's probably God's hand that would move one in sin to avoid believers, in order to not cause them to stumble. For me, I had a myriad of "so-called brothers", just like me, that claimed to be in Christ and just counted it as a 'rebellious streak' or 'weakness' ~ "Surely, if I die today, God's grace will cover me." What a lie from the pit of hell. God is shining His Light into the darkness. Those enslaved to fornication are loving the darkness more than His Light. John 3:19 states, "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." Check-up time; repentence time; the LORD is coming soon! He's reaching out agressively to deliver those who are called this day!! Be blessed, sister! He delivered you as He delivered me; Praise God! Thank YOU, JESUS!!!!!
Good hub Judah's Daughter. If we are able to contract natural sexual diseases due to such practices as fornication, then it seems plausible that we can contract spiritual disease and problems as well. Good reminder to abstain from such practices.
Hi brother Quill and sister Debradoo! The Lord continues to flood my spirit with more. I will share it in my comment here for all who read. This has to do with pastors who are ensnared in fornication: 1 Tim 5:22 "Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." This applies also to the body of Christ, which confirms sister Debradoo's comment: look at verses 6-8 of 1 Cor 5 (while I started in verse 9 in this hub): "Do you not know that a little leaven [sinful 'believers'] leavens [corrupts] the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened [true believers]. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast [spiritually], not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." AMEN.
This was a great hub, thank you for taking a stand with me. We must as Christians stand for something, and it has to be a heart felt stand for the Word of God. I am seeing so much in the news and often I wonder, in amazement sometimes. However, it is our fault if people do not know Jesus Chris only if we are not willing to stand for Jesus. True repentance is a change life, a desire to want to walk with God and not live a life outside of God. Thank you again for taking a stand in the Lord Jesus for Holiness standards.
You know, sister Royal ~ I thought about Jonah this afternoon...how afraid he was to go to Nineveh by himself and stand there before these dangerous, powerful, wicked people and tell them to REPENT! Couldn't he just write a hub? Write a letter? O, how terrified he was! See, God had to show him that whatever he does in obedience to God, the LORD goes before him and is his mighty fortress! Those who are made ready to repent will repent; praise God! Nineveh repented!!! Hallelujah!
I am just an obedient servant, and I thank God I can just write a hub...for it's hard, even to tell another face-to-face s/he must repent of the sin of fornication or face condemnation. I trust in the Lord, my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. His death on that cross was not in vain and is the power of salvation to everyone who believes and lives according to the Spirit of life freely given to them.
I love you in the love of our Lord, sister. God bless you mightily!!
My Sister that I long to walk the streets of Gold with. Many many people men and woman are bound by the Spirit of Fornication. I was and I am thankful to my Lord for delivering me from this Bondage. He is so Gracious and Merciful. But people need to be careful who they are yoked with. Unequally Yoked is not just for marriage. But also people we hang out with. A number of times in the Bible righteousness people were vexed in there Spirit by being around the wrong people and hearing and seeing things. This is a great hub and many things today are out of control. Porn is one that helps breed fornication and the U.S.A. alone has over 95% of the porn sites in the whole world. That means the rest of the world splits up the other 5%. What does that say about where this country is heading. God Bless you and May His Peace be upon you My Sister.
I am so glad you shared what you did, brother Leroy ~ I am greatly humbled before God as just today I saw another Spirit-filled believer publish on this very same topic ~ same scripture ~ same word...I knew that I knew that the Holy Spirit indeed brought this message forth at His perfect time.
You talk about the feeling of vexation in spirit when we are near someone who is harboring sin...oh boy, do I know what you mean. There's been times the Lord just shut off my desire to associate with someone any further. It's truly not of me because I, in my flesh, liked them and on the surface I could enjoy their company. But, God knows the rest of what's going on. When I try to worship next to someone like this, it feels like having a stranger in your house while you're trying to love on your Spouse (the LORD). All I know is I'm UNCOMFORTABLE.
I wanted to go into the stats of pornography in America, such as you just did (thank you, brother and praise God!) That would take a hub all its own. Don't even get me started. There are obviously more people that love porn than hate it. More people engaged in sexual sin than not. God sees the abomination of this corruption all over the world, and if it makes me sick I can only imagine how sick He is over it. May we remember Sodom and Gomorrah, for it will be as it was in those days when our Lord returns...and His return is very near.
The Lord is saying now, as He did in Ezekiel 33:11, "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'" He's speaking to His beloved!!
Great exhortation. I heard someone say that the church seems a mile wide and an inch deep. And I think part of it is because of sin tolerance that doesn't just include sexual sin but other forms of self and feeling worship (our biggest idols).
I spent a portion of my Christian journey attempting to eat at both tables. I also spent a good long time in deep conviction and Holy confrontation over it. Hebrews 6 and 10 were apart of that conviction.
From this I have come to understand that we forfeit much personally in living this way and as stated in the verse quoted above we risk that when that time comes He may not know us. How awful to risk our eternal fellowship with Him by flirting with the things of this world.
We also put the church community at risk by living in sin in that we give the impression that God doesn't mind these things.
And worst of all put His name to shame before a watching world.
It isn't about being critical or judgmental or trying to appear better or more holy than anyone. It's about an eternal life at risk. And such a matter requires a strong exhortation as yours.
Great scripture back up.
Powerful word! It seems so harmless at it's roots. First a glance, then a stare. First a flirty remark, then a full on proposition. First a foot hold then a stronghold. This is why we must be dilligent in guarding our hearts. Give no footing to the enemy. He is subtle in his ways. He's been at this since the beginning of time. He is very adept at turning foot holds into strong holds. This is always a timely message. The dangers facing the church today are the same dangers the church has always been faced with. You would think we would learn from the mistakes of others throughout time. It show the frailty of men and our propensity towards sin. Praise be to God that He has provided a way out!
Sister Tamarajo, you know you speak the truth. Many can relate to your testimony; amen! While the church is to welcome sinners (unbelievers) in order to give them the gospel and, once saved, offer a supportive family to them (away from the world and its ways), the line that should be clearly drawn has become blurred. One can't tell the difference between an unbeliever and a believer anymore.
God knows the motive of the 'tolerant' church organization ~ is it numbers? Is it money? They water down the gospel to increase both. Some churches have gone so far as to ordain homosexual clergy, thereby increasing both numbers and income by attracting that community other churches reject. Funny how churches won't condone homosexuals, but will turn a blind eye to heterosexual fornicators?
Truly, all have sinned; all will struggle with sin. Struggle with sin is the key; not condoning/regarding sin. Any and all sin will be present in an organized church; but the message in the church needs to be, 'REPENT'!
I so appreciate you coming by and sharing your testimony. The Lord is using you mightily here on HubPages. Keep on shining His Light! God bless you!
Brother fred allen, you've hit a very important point ~ see, this is not just about keeping the physical "law", but understanding this from a spiritual perspective. When 'so-called brothers' practice the sin of fornication, they are defiling God's Holy Spirit! 1 Cor 6 goes on to say in verses 15-18: "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, 'THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.' But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body."
Believers need to quit 'flirting with Satan', which gives him that 'foot hold' that will become a 'strong hold', which leads to death. We are either one with God or one with Satan. The latter is spiritual fornication! Praise God for His word. The whole chapter needs to be read daily by those who wish to keep themselves from both physical and spiritual fornication, for both are connected. Be blessed, brother.
Inspiring! Sent it to some I know.
Judah's Daughter, how timely that you would write on this topic. Just yesterday, the Holy Spirit pressed on my heart how abominable this sin is. I am very very new in my walk with the Lord, newly understanding and newly repentant.
So many of us are taught the Word of God without understanding the weight and gravity of it. If we knew how painful and distressing our sin is to the Lord, we would be ever so much more mindful and guarded of our actions.
The same is true for the evil we call upon ourselves. Many of us don't realize the activity of demons and the domino effect of WILLFUL sin. It's not limited to the sinful activity itself.
I'm just learning all of this myself. Many of those who call themselves Christians are drunk off the wine of the Babylon church (watered down gospel). So many of us are asleep. I know I certainly was. We think we're golden because of Jesus, but we can't continue to sin!
The light just FULLY came on for me a couple of weeks ago, and I am thankful.
JD, a few of your hubs have been helpful in slapping me out of my stupor. I am thankful the Spirit of the Lord is using you as a light in all this darkness.
atienza, all I can say is WOW. I stand in AWE of our God! Simply, AWE!! I've seen times He's moved me to write on a particular subject, whether of LOVE or JUDGMENT (harder to write on the latter) and there is a sense of urgency, timeliness about it. I've seen readers confirm that they either asked God a question and He answered promptly through the reading of my latest hub, or now, even your testimony!
And...what you've said confirms what is in the other message that I spoke of in my comment to brother Leroy above...about being drunk off the wine of Babylon! The Lord speaks!
He's crying out to His people to 'Come out of her', and this is the last season of Babylon the Great. May those who've ever accepted Jesus Christ as Lord listen, repent and turn from fornication in the flesh and spirit! I praise God He's done this for you!!
Thank you for coming to read, and for sharing your powerful testimony. God is with us ~ stand firm!!
JD,
Thanks for sounding the trumpet on this important topic. I would expect immoral behavior from the world, but I'm utterly amazed at the immorality in some church houses that is allowed to remain. Things haven't changed much since Paul's day.
Great Message,borders clealry define, topic clearly explained the message speaks volume and therefore must be received with a greatfull heart. May we give thanks for His grace that we are able to move from death into life through the blood of Christ
Brother lifegate, very good and truthful statement! See, when I was living 'in the world', if I ever stepped foot in a church I cried all the way through. I remembered the love I once had with the Lord and I felt so unworthy of forgiveness. I was grieving. But, at one service, I bawled again; no, I didn't walk the aisle, but I didn't realize God did something in me that day, for I was never the same. The first thing He completely took away was the sin of fornication. I had no desire, but to love God.
God is in the business of loving and healing, setting the captive free, and the new heart He puts in us empowers us to put our hand to the plow and never look back. This is the power of God! Many have the 'form of godliness', but deny its power! (2 Tim 3:5)
We've all heard that saying, 'Go to church on Sunday, maybe even a weekly service, and live like the devil the rest of the time', as if going to church and/or doing good deeds makes up for the sin? If we could pay for our sin, we wouldn't have needed the blood of Jesus. Trample the blood of Jesus and think we can make up for it by doing 'good works'? Hello? The blood of Christ was the highest price to pay for us. What price are we paying in thanksgiving? A tithe? I'm sure you see where I'm going with this. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22), whether it be the sacrifices in the temple, money, whatever 'good work' we can muster.
Not committing fornication is not just a 'good work'; it's adultery against the Holy Spirit, if we continue in this sin. It's far greater than people have reaized, according to the Word of God.
When I did my study on LOVE, agape love is of the mind. It's a decision to love. When we make the decision to trust Christ, HE will bring the change in us. We make the decision to follow Him and HE will lead us! May we fear turning back to our old ways. Walk in life!!
Kenny MG, yes and amen! The reason I study is to get that Seed of truth embedded in my heart, that I might not sin against Him. This is exactly how David felt in Ps 119:11 "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." The Word is the power of God when we believe. It is what we use and claim against the temptations and wiles of the devil, who seeks to steal from God what belongs to Him. He's a thief, a murderer and a destroyer. Satan makes it feel so 'right' and defiles the Word of God in our minds to 'justify' our behavior. The only justification we have is in Christ Jesus. He both loves and judges. Satan wants us to pervert the love of God and minimize His judgment. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Pet 4:7), for they commit a greater abomination than those who are of the 'world' that do the same things.
Heb 6:4-6 tell us why: "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame."
We enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts, and into His courts with praise (Ps 100:4) ~ let us enter into the holy of holies and worship Him with our very lives. He gave us more than we could ever give, and keeps on giving, exceedingly above what we could ask or think (Eph 3:20). God bless you, brother!
You know, it is a hard message for some to accept, but the truth should not be a burden. There is freedom and liberty in Christ to do all things - but those "all things" are righteous things - not carnal things, not an occasion to the flesh, not a cloak for malicious behavior. Making mistakes in judgment, sinning as an error is one thing. Living a certain lifestyle, committing ungodly actions repeatedly without repentance and a desire to change is wholly another thing. A needful and forceful message here. Peace.
Hi Judah's Daughter,
Very good hub. As always you get into the thick of things. :) Keep it up.
Hi brother Wehzo! What a wonderful blessing to see your smiling face :-) Thank you for the word of encouragement. May you also be encouraged and blessed as we fight the good fight of faith until He comes!
JD, this is a wonderful hub about a truth that is often glossed over in the church. I recall a recent incident in Florida, where a female member of a church was disciplined by the church she was attending for living with a man who was not her husband. To avoid this discipline, she attempted to renounce her membership saying that the church had no right to get involved in her private life. The church she had been attending excommunicated her from their fellowship and published this disciplinary action in the local paper. She tried to sue them for slander but the judge, being a Christian himself, dismissed the case with prejudice. I applaud this church, as well as you, for naming sin a sin and calling it evil. Our churches need to be more proactive in calling sin exactly what it is, and putting it out of our places of worship. Great Job!!!
I totally stand behind you on writing this hub. Well done,and scriptualPeople should get a better understanding of grace. It is not permission to wantonly and without fear wallow in sin saying that we have God's grace. If that was so John the Revelator would not have written the words concerning being lukewarm. God will spue thoseout of His mouth.He'd rather have one cold and searching for Him than have a complacent, sinful,uncaring, person hoping for the best because of grace. Additionally, isn't is pathetic that not much in this world today is even labeled sin?
Brother David, praise God! Wow, the church even went so far as to publish the excommuniation? I tell you, God's had me removing myself from friendships I've had since I was in the world. I've been growing more in love with the Lord, and they are still practicing the same sin(s) they (and I) used to. It was time. And, I can tell you the hostility is just as present. Rather than hate the sin, hate the messenger.
And, the amazing thing is, after confronting one, that friend told me s/he was going to be in 'deep prayer' about me, and even went on to tell me s/he's going to a Bible study with another person this week. Sounds great, except my friend forgot that s/he just told me last week that this 'other person' lives in fornication. When are people going to WAKE UP? Lord, help us. I'm not naming names, and my comment will no doubt fuel that person's anger as hot as it gets, but this sin needs to be brought into the Light...I'm not out to harm the person, but to address the sin. My prayer is God will heal people and bring them to repentance before it's too late!
Why confront the 'so-called brothers' who are sinning? If we don't, their blood in on our hands when we stand before God!
Sister bayoulady, amen!!! The 'grace' excuse is a biggie! Boy, was I counting on grace, should my life have been required of me when I was fornicating. Other times, I would say to my lover, "If I die tonight, I'm going...(and I'd point to the ground)". I KNEW what I was doing was wrong. And what was even more sickening is both of us claimed to be Christians!
I don't care what excuse people come up with. The FIRST THING TO GO WAS FORNICATION when God called me to come home to Him and I turned to my Lord...and there is no turning back!
I don't pride myself in being pure in this way, for as Paul would say, he was the 'chief of all sinners'. He knew what it meant to walk in the fear of God, knowing the great grace that had already been bestowed upon him to save him!! He even feared that after having preached to others, he himself might be cast away. That's the attitude we are to have; the attitude we are to walk in. Reverence and prayer that we don't turn back. As David felt in his heart and wrote in the Psalms, "Take not Your Holy Spirit from me", so is my heart and the heart of those who love God.
May we walk in His power and be thankful for the grace He gave us when He saved us from death. To turn back and claim grace is a fatal mentality.
Good hub. A definite topic Christians have seemed to shy away from...probably numerous reasons would be given. However, there should be no excuse or apologies for speaking the truth of God's Word. Keep it up!
His Daughter ~ my sister! Since we know that "all have sinned" and "none is righteous, no not one", should God use no man to preach His word? Our righteousness is in Christ ~ God uses whom He chooses; amen!
The main thing about sharing God's Word of judgment is that, if we are going to be His vessel, we are not to be walking in hypocricy in regard to what is being preached.
Consider Rom 2:1-3 "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; FOR YOU WHO JUDGE PRACTICE THE SAME THINGS." People often cut off the last part of this verse, when they wish to defend themselves against the right of anyone to speak out against their sin. Let's go on to verse 2: "And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things." Verse three again states, "But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things AND DO THE SAME YOURSELF, that you will escape the judgment of God?"
Unbelievers don't believe in "sin" (for they have no Godly "law"); and the word of exhortation in this hub is only addressing those who call themselves 'brothers' and 'sisters' in Christ. Unbelievers are frolicking in the judgment of God, livin' it up in this life (hardly seems like judgment), but their time is up as soon as they take that last breath, which could be any minute of any day.
God bless you, sister. Thank you for your support and sharing.
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. 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.
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
I quoted this passage from the King James Version because of the clarity of the word picture Paul paints for us here. This is, in my honest opinion, the single most important verse in the Bible regarding a holy and sanctified life. I simply states how we are to live, and tells us where the power to live such a life comes from.
When I posted my first comment I thought about being a funny guy and saying something inane like; "I don't want to flee fornication. Its too much fun." But the truth be told, that is how many, many people truly believe; including believers. And I also believe that is why it is so little talked about in our churches. Honestly, when was the last time any of us heard a preacher condemening this sin from the pulpit?
Thanks again, JD, for providing us with such a strong spiritual meal. It was so good, I came back for seconds.
And I'm glad you came back for seconds and brought a dish with you, brother David! God surely knows the motives behind preachers not preaching about this topic, let alone casting out members for practicing this sin. One: they don't want to lose members with money and/or Two: they are fornicating themselves. Why in the world the Catholic church doesn't cast out priests that have committed the abomination of child molestation is beyond me! Of course, I heard in the history of the RCC salvation could be bought, also. The love of money is the root of all evil.
One of the criticisms I received in a comment from a hubber that felt fornication had only to do with a woman losing her virginity, was that this hub wasn't very long. I posted his comment temporarily, just to show his perverted mind, and will say that the sin going on in the church at Corinth had nothing to do with a virgin. Secondly, it's the commenters here that are building the message of the foundational 'seed' of this hub. The Spirit of God is speaking through all the saints here.
Praise God and bless you, bless you!!
A M Werner, I just realized I missed responding to your comment! I'm so sorry. Your point is absolutely right on. I was just thinking this morning about how it is not a burden, when one is saved, to forsake sin; rather it is a burden to continue in sin because of the heavy conviction that comes with it. Why do we feel conviction? Because God's Spirit is still striving with us. Once we lose that conviction (by rejecting the truth over and over again), we've lost the Spirit of God and have been handed over to His judgment (Rom 1).
Blessings to you!!
:) No problem - Peace.
You got it right Judah's daughter. God's word says that these things should'nt even be named among us!
Amen, ladyt11! Eph 5:3-4 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."
Obviously, there were what today's world calls 'carnal Christians' even then. Rev 3:16 tells us how God feels about "lukewarm Laodicea"! Walk in the Spirit, which we cannot do, if the Spirit of God is not in us. If He is in us, He will convict us and empower us to walk in Him. Praise God! God bless you, sister :-)
This question just came up last week, about not eating with an unbeliever? What about your loved ones, and others? The person I brought this up too, believed the scripture was addressing believers that were not strong in the Lord...for they would stumble? What would you do at a family gathering, or a potluck at work? Just curious to see, what you might say or others about this? Some would say, how are we to be a light, if we do not step foot into the darkened world?
Hi heart4theword! It's good you brought this up, if this topic needs futher clarification. First, let me say there is a difference between an unbeliever and one who calls themselves, as this passage states, a 'so-called brother' (Christian). The unbeliever is expected to behave in these ways, while a believer shames the name of Christ when walking in these ways. This is why we see passages such as 1 Tim 5:8 "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." How can one be 'worse than an unbeliever'? Because he KNOWS better and has a higher accountability to God and the saints.
Jesus ate with unbelievers. The Jews had their Law, which forbade them to eat with Gentiles (unbelievers), yet in Christ we even see the apostles eating with unbelievers. Of course, Peter teetered when he was called to preach the gospel to the Jews and ended up being pulled back into not eating with Gentiles (Gal 2:12). Paul 'withstood him to the face' about this.
Christians are in this world, but not of it. In John 15:19 Jesus said, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." Furthermore, look what we're called in James 4:4 when we become a 'friend' to this world: "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." Adulteresses.
In summary, we have to live in this world, as Paul said; otherwise, we'd have to go out of this world. His rebuke here has to do with those who call themselves 'brothers' and practice fornication, shaming the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, not only publicly, but to His face. With these we are not even to eat,
Blessings to you.
Im so glad. Ur contributions are inspiring. Tanks for building my faith in christ. Pls pray for his grace to see me through my trying times.
Aggrey blessing, the Lord is Lord of those trying times, given you as an exercise of the faith He's bestowed upon you!! His grace is sufficient to strengthen the heart that loves Him and desires His will. He would never ask of you what is impossible to accomplish. With God ALL things are possible, when He does it in you and through you because you are yielded to His Spirit.
"Lord Jesus, we lift up Aggrey blessing to You. We thank You for Your Word that came to earth in the flesh and dwelt among us. We thank You that You overcame every temptation and trial perfectly so we can call upon You to Shepherd us through, believing that whatever we ask according to Your will is heard (1 John 5:14). We ask that You Shepherd Aggrey blessing into Your good and perfect will, that Aggrey blessing will be transformed into Your image and bring glory to Your holy Name. In the power of Your Name, Lord Jesus, we pray; Amen."
the ladies are tempting but you can stay pure with Jesus the lords hrlp
You know, Xavier Angel, I was listing to Pastor Hahn of Bridgeway Christian Church the other morning. He said, "A fat fish doesn't take the bait", meaning that when we are full of Christ and His Word, we won't desire to take the bait that will trap, ensnare and even kill us. A passage that is really good to ponder, when struggling with temptation is found in James 1:14 "But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust." This puts the responsibility on each of us, rather than "the Devil made me do it". Amen, and glory to God. God bless you!!
Great message and Fornication is an ambomintaion in the sight of God. It's defilement of the our temple that God should dwell in. May God gave us strenght to keep his words
Amen, ladyjojo. When people practice fornication they are fully walking (and more) in the flesh ~ the total opposite of the Spirit. Satan loves to keep us addicted to pleasure ~ thus, the scriptures such as 2 Thes 2:12 "in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness."
With God's Spirit in us, latching onto His love, receiving His love within, we CAN overcome the flesh. He will do it, for He hates fornication ~ when we love God we hate what He hates and love what He loves. And...He loves us! Fornication isn't 'love'; it's 'pleasure'. Love is commitment to another; fornication is commitment to self.
God bless you, sister. Thank you so much for your comment.
Educational, And Wonderful. GBY.
Thank you, stars439! I know this is a tough subject to write about; yet, those who love the Lord will embrace it and trust Him to keep them in this way ~ pure. We are married to Christ and may we be faithful as He is faithful. God bless you, too!!
Well, I don’t know much about fornication. And dogs don’t bark.
I will admit that I am going to rape a woman this weekend. You see, I am playing someone named Linette in fantasy football. I suppress my sexual urges and fantasies by substituting football fantasies. Hey, whatever works. It beats becoming a eunuch.
Questions, I have questions. Many questions on this subject. Many, many.
Let’s start with this. Is anything that goes on in the bedroom of a married couple acceptable, biblicly speaking? I’m talking just between the two of them, which both are receptive if not even enthusiastic about, and feel no guilt or shame about doing what they do. Obviously if they introduce a boy named Sue into their marital sexual activity, this is wrong. A girl named Sue may be okay?
Now, the answers you get on this range from what the ladies at christiannymphos.org say to what a Baptist preacher told me. Well, he didn’t just say it to me, he said it to a mixed group of a couple dozen people in a Bible study I attended. He said that anything but sexual intercourse missionary style is a sin. He wife was also there. I glanced at her to read her expression. Totally blank. No cringing, no rolling her eyes, no nodding her head yes or no, no nothing. They have 4 children. I bet that was fun.
I will most certainly address your question as to the marriage bed, BLACKANDGOLDJACK ~ There is one verse found in Heb 13:4 which states, "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." This verse interprets itself. A married couple isn't fornicating or committing adultery within the marriage bed. Therefore, the marriage bed is not defiled. And check out the cross-references here: http://bible.cc/hebrews/13-4.htm
Now, if one were, instead, to cross-reference this with the 144,000 chosen in Rev 14:4 that are supposedly 'virgin' males, 'undefiled' with 'women', the interpretation would insinuate that sexual relations is defilement, but that's NOT what this means.
'defiled' is the Greek word 'molýn?' used of "moral soil (smut)" that defouls and besmirches the soul.
'chaste' is the Greek word 'parthénos' - (figuratively) believers when they are pure (chaste), i.e. faithful to Christ their heavenly Bridegroom (specifically used for 2 Cor 11:2 and Rev 14:4). If being faithful to Christ meant we were never to marry or bear children...well, what did 1 Tim 4:1-3 say again?
So, in plain English, the chosen of Revelation are those who may or may not be married and do not partake in fornication (porn, adultery, etc.). They keep themselves pure in following the Lord's will.
Now, back to Heb 13:4 The proper interpretation is that one does not commit adultery when married (or view porn, etc. - fornicate). I have not found scriptural evidence that there are do's and don't's when it comes to the pleasure of the marriage bed (married couple). The Law of Moses did address what some consider to be 'taboo' in Lev 15:25-28, yet the 'cleansing' period (of time, that is) is given (so it's not a mortal sin).
Sounds like that pastor felt variations of sexual pleasure with his wife was 'dirty', which is another definition of 'defilement'. We must keep in mind that 'sex is dirty' has been a cultural and traditional teaching that simply is not biblical.
That's my two cents...
Well, Judah’s Daughter, your two cents certainly makes sense to me. It’s more like a nickel, and not a plug one.
Now you mention porn. Is watching porn on occasion a sin? Or is it the addiction to porn that is the sin?
Let’s say we have a young couple who are virgins and they get married. How do they learn . . . of course there is always practice. What if they watch some porn for uh . . . educational purposes? Now if the husband becomes so fond of porn to the extent that it adversely affects the marital relationship, that would not be a good thing.
And what about the consequences of the sin of fornication? This is touched upon in the comments with the mention of sexually transmitted diseases. We know about David and Bathsheba and the consequences of fornication. Seems to me that God in those verses really pounded home the point, with a sledge hammer, that there will be consequences for this sin in those verses.
I see so much evidence in my own personal life of the consequences of the sin of fornication. First of all, let me state absolutely that I have been no angel regarding my own past behavior. Unless it’s a fallen angel. But like you, I finally woke the bleep up.
I have a 17 year old daughter who make the decision to live with me, rather than her mother, about a year and a half ago. Several things contributed to that happening, one of which I believe was God was not too pleased with my ex-wife’s behavior. In fact, I think God was really ticked off.
When my daughter was 15, my ex-wife had been taking in foster children for a few years. At that time they had another 15 year old girl living with them. So my ex hooks up with this guy whose license was suspended due to DUIs. He lives about 30 miles away, so she picked him up to stay at her house on weekends. What kind of moral message is that to send to two 15 year old girls? Among other things. What was she thinking? Sure I confronted her about it, and she gave me some story about he sleeps down in the basement and not in her bedroom. Well, this sordid relationship ended when another one began. And it was even worse. You are not going to believe the rest of the story. Well, you’ll have to, because I can prove it. And my ex is what I would refer to as a holler roller. Talk about hypocrisy.
God will not be mocked with respect to fornication.
Hi BLACKANDGOLDJACK, whenever I observe those practicing fornication/adultery, I remember my own sin. I am more grieved than outraged. I know it was only God who could change me and He mercifully did. I had a very good friend (also of Catholic background) that had been my friend all along the road as dating singles. She went to the church service with me and heard the very same message I did. I came home a repentant, changed person and didn't look back. She continued in the same lifestyle. After awhile of witnessing the change in me, sharing the things I was learning in the Word (she would read my hubs, etc.), I saw she had no intent of repenting and continued fornicating. God eventually shut my heart off in that 'friendship'. I only got a blink of what God sees in those who call themselves by His name and continue in this lifestyle. He is long-suffering toward us, and how He is grieved! It's no wonder He will eventually turn those who practice such things over to a reprobate mind, sending them a strong delusion, sealing their final fate. I believe you stated you read my hub on homosexuality, which goes more into this point.
The Greek word for 'fornicate' is 'porneia' - fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. To learn the 'how to' from those who fornicate and commit abominations is to displease the LORD, and open oneself up to demonic influence and control. Ted Bundy has a powerful testimony about how porn played a big part in transforming him into a serial killer. I highly recommend a hub by Tamarajo: http://tamarajo.hubpages.com/_ui1xcnn62gpk/hub/the
I believe as a Christian that once you are saved you are always saved. Chistians still sin as non Christians do. Thanks for helping spread the word of God and I look forward to reading more of your hubs. God bless you.
Hi zzron ~ The question is, how does one know s/he is truly saved? I think Jesus said, "You will know them by their fruit" (Mat 7:16-20). The difference between non-Christians who sin and Christians who sin is the element of conviction/conscience (Rom 7:15-8:1; 1 Tim 4:2). Wouldn't you agree? God will discipline those He loves (Heb 12:10), when they choose to rebel, striving with them unto repentance and enabling them to escape the snares of the devil (Gen 6:3; 1 Cor 10:13). At some point, should a 'so-called brother' (1 Cor 5;11), as Paul calls them, refuse to repent, God may just hand them over to reprobation and judgment (Rom 1:28; 2 Thes 2:11). May we choose to walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh (Rom 8:1-4). Thanks for reading and commenting. God bless you.
Well, God did not send Christ upon the condition that you always act a certain way. Christ died for our sin. If we at times, we get off the path, I believe God will convict us into the place we need to be in with Him. The Bible states that all we have to do for salvation is to believe, not always living up to a certain standard. (John 3:16) We are known by our fruits, but God knows exactly when and where we are able to produce that fruit. We as Christians do falter at times, but we are still believers.
Jude 1:6 “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” We don't have a license to live in sin based on God's great grace. If we ever lose our conviction (guilt) and conscience (right and wrong), we are in trouble and on the wrong path. God knows our hearts and Rom 7:15-8:1 shows the Christian's struggle with sin. If you have the attitude that you can fornicate once a day, even seven times a day ~ or even seventy times seven in a day and feel entitled to God's forgiveness, that's mocking God.
I read on your profile you are of the Baptist doctrine. When you were baptized, what man died and what man was resurrected? Are you a new creation? Or is the old man still living? Who is Lord of you? That's what 'believing' (entrusting one's spiritual well-being to Christ) is all about, amen?
Where in this scripture in Jude does it state that the people you are speaking of were ever saved in the first place? It speaks in Jude 1:5 that God destroyed the non-believers. These are lost souls who have never accepted Christ. It also speaks of angels, of which we are not. Everyone will be judged. Of course we are to abandon "willful sin". We are sinners and are not perfect. If you think there is a Christian out there who condones willful sin, then you know alot of other kinds of Christians than I do. Salvation is not a license to sin, but we are forgiven since we will never be totally without sin! Salvation is not earned, so once saved always saved regardless of our sin. The Bible states that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23, and please refer to Rom. 6:4 regarding baptism). This should make it clear that to all, believers or non-believers, you separate yourself from God through sin. That does not mean you lose your salvation, but you are surely looking to mess up your life and disappoint God when you chose sin over Him.
I find it interesting that Jude 1:5 mentions those who 'turn the grace of God' into something that it's not ~ a license to sin. If we look at the cross-reference, Titus 1:16, these are those who "profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed." Therefore, there are many who profess to be 'saved' and deceive themselves that they are thus 'always saved'. I am not their judge; the Word of the LORD will judge them on the last day, to tell whether they truly were saved or not. I believe many who call Him 'Lord, Lord' will be shocked that He doesn't even know them. Somber thought...
You get no argument from me that Christians battle/struggle with sin ~ some don't...and it's not because they have no sin. They are the ones that need a Tablespoon of Truth.
P.S. to my comment above
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jude 1:5: "We ought to contend earnestly for the faith, in opposition to those who would corrupt or deprave it; who creep in unawares; who glide in like serpents. And those are the worst of the ungodly, who take encouragement to sin boldly, because the grace of God has abounded, and still abounds so wonderfully, and who are hardened by the extent and fulness of gospel grace, the design of which is to deliver men from sin, and bring them unto God."
I was not referring to those who have not asked for sincere salvation. Those of us Christians such as you and I know we are. The fact is that nothing can take away your salvation if you are in earnest when you ask for it and accept Christ as Lord and Savior.
Phil 2:12-13 come to mind: "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
I think this tells us to continue to yield to the Holy Spirit's will and not to our fleshly, old man's will as we have received salvation and therefore, walk in it to the glory of the LORD.
This hub deals with the subject of a huge problem in the world, or should I say a huge attitude of taking advantage of God's 'grace'. God knows the hearts of man and knows the struggles of the saved. May we desire to be faithful to our Bridegroom and not commit adultery (for in Jewish custom, the betrothed is as good as married) by fornicating. Fornication can mean sexual sin, as well as getting sold out to other 'gods' (i.e. the love of money), etc.
There's only one biblical reason for divorce. It's not the faithful that divorced the covenant; it's the unfaithful. The root word in Greek for 'divorce' is the same as 'forgive', which means 'as though it never happened'. That's just something to think about. Be blesssed, zzron. Thank you for your contribution to the topic.
Zzron, what does “sincere salvation” mean? No doubt those who get all fired up by an altar call are sincere. At the moment. And then some do it again. And again.
You said we all sin. For sure. It seems to me that the issue is sincere repentance. And that means “sincerely” turning away from the sin.
Salvation is a 4 step process I do believe: Justification, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. Once you are born again, sanctification takes place. That individual, as led by the Holy Spirit, works out his/her own salvation with fear and trembling, studies to show him or herself approved by God, and sincerely repents for sins. Yeah, we all backslide, but if you are truly saved, you continuously move forward in your walk with the Lord, sometimes by inches, sometimes by miles.
What about a married woman who presents herself as a devout Christian, but then commits adultery? And over a period of years does it again? And again? Has she sincerely repented after the first incident?
It makes one wonder if she was truly saved in the first place, doesn’t it? But like Judah’s Daughter said, only God knows the heart and it is not for us to judge.
I agree with you blackandgold. I look forword to reading more of her hubs. Great discussion.
zzron and BLACKANDGOLDJACK, I appreciate both of you very much. By the way BLACKANDGOLDJACK, I did answer you on my Carrie Bradshaw profile! :-) Blessings to both of you and thank you again.
grave sin blinds one to the realities of his sin
love requires us to kindly confront the one blinded by grave sin
fornication alone is horrific... but combined with female chemical "contraception" *actually* relying on abortifacients
one is likely to have been briefly a parent
this is orders of magnitude more heinous than mere abortion
verizon-hurts-sip, regarding female contraception and 'mere abortion':
God designed unfertilized eggs to pass through monthly in a woman's cycle - is this considered an abortifacient? Only fertilized eggs will fix to the womb, at which time that egg has been 'conceived', and is a child. This happens even when the woman is using a contraceptive. I know, because two of my four children were conceived while using a contraceptive.
So, whatever method of contraception a woman uses not to have her eggs fertilized is not considered a grave sin. Abortion of a fertilized egg is a grave and horrific sin, not 'mere abortion', a side-effect of this nation's massive participation in fornication, no doubt. Abortion is murder. And think of how many children that one aborted may have parented in his/her lifetime? How many persons were actually murdered by killing one?
As fertile as some women are, it only takes one act of intimacy to conceive a child. In marriage, if no contraception was used, I and my husband would have only come together four times. If you think the 'rhythm' method works, we wouldn't see so many children born of Catholic parents (they do not believe in contraception, and are a proponent of the 'rhythm' method)...Statistics say Catholic women have an abortion rate 29% higher than Protestant women...
HOOWANTSTONO Level 3 Commenter 19 months ago
Hey JD, good hub agree with all.
what do you think of this ???
Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
I know it can wreck the head.
Peace