The Impact of Fornication in Our Culture

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2. A Biblical Study Of Fornication

3. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • If society wasn’t so “sensual,” concern over this sin wouldn’t seem as prevalent • Any sin is bad Ù separates us from God • We don’t seem to be as concerned with gambling, theft, etc. as we appear to be with unlawful sexual activity

4. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • If society wasn’t so “sensual,” concern over this sin wouldn’t seem as prevalent • Any sin is bad Ù separates us from God • We don’t seem to be as concerned with gambling, theft, etc. as we appear to be with unlawful sexual activity Basic definition

5. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 1st Century Culture • Wrought with hedonism (pursuit of pleasure) • Yet, ordinary people heard the gospel call and came out of that lifestyle; lived holy • Can we not see their challenge to refrain from that which they had practiced for years?

6. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 1st Century Culture • Thus, inspired writers constantly warned re: returning to “their former lusts” • Major cities were grossly immoral [Corinth] • In Roman times, a place known for wealth and indulgence Ù“To Live As A Corinthian…”

7. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 1st Century Culture • Major cities were grossly immoral [Corinth] • As “modern” a city as NY City or L.A. today • Home to Temple of Aphrodite (Venus)… goddess of beauty • 1,000 “priestesses” who were nothing more than prostitutes offering sex as “worship”

9. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 21st Century Culture • Though more advanced, we are no better… maybe even worse • We’ve invented more ways to promote lust and pleasure • Fornication has become as commonplace as marriage

10. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 21st Century Culture • Indicators of fornication’s general acceptance • High # of multiple marriages w/o thought of being guilty of being adulterous • Most remarriages = not “lawful” (not for the cause of fornication as taught by Jesus) • Millions cohabit (live together w/o marriage)

11. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • 21st Century Culture • Indicators of fornication’s general acceptance • Public schools with condom machines for our children certainly encourage fornication (the assumption is teenagers are already engaging in pre-marital sex) • The rejection of teaching abstinence

12. What Our Culture Promotes & Practices • This is our “world” • We cannot escape the strong influence of sensuality (emphasis on physical pleasure) • Fornication has been somewhat “legitimized” • 1st century Ù Aphrodite’s “priestesses” • 21st century Ù overall acceptance

13. What The Scripture Proclaims • The N.T. word = “porneia” (pornography) • 39 references • Consider the writings of Paul • He wrote 7 “lists” of sins Rom 1 1 Cor 5 1 Cor 6 Gal 5 Eph 5 Col 3 1 Tim 1 • Fornication listed in 6 of these 7

14. What The Scripture Proclaims • The N.T. word = “porneia” (pornography) • 39 references • Consider the writings of Paul • He wrote 7 “lists” of sins Rom 1 1 Cor 5 1 Cor 6 Gal 5 Eph 5 Col 3 1 Tim 1 • Fornication listed in 6 of these 7 • Where it is listed, listed 1st in 5 of the 7

15. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is behavior that carries eternal consequences 1 Cor 6:9-10 Gal 5:19-21 • Referring to fornication not repented of (impenitent fornicator won’t see heaven) • Paul’s words to the Corinthians points to the change they made in this conduct

16. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is behavior that God will “avenge” 1 Thess 4:1-8 • Saints are to abstain from fornication v. 3 • Each one is to possess his “vessel” (body) in sanctification & honor v. 4 • Saints are not to live as the Gentiles (lost) do in “lustful passions” v. 5

17. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is behavior that God will “avenge” 1 Thess 4:1-8 • We must not “transgress” or “defraud” our brother in this regard v. 6a Ex 20:17 • God will “avenge” the one defrauded v. 6b • God has not called us to impurity v. 7 • To reject this = to reject God v. 8

18. What The Scripture Proclaims • God provides the way to avoid it 1 Cor 7 • “To avoid fornication…” v. 2a[KJV] • “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality…” v. 2a[ESV] • God ordained marriage to be where sexual appetites can be legitimately fulfilled v. 2b Heb 13:4

19. What The Scripture Proclaims • God provides the way to avoid it 1 Cor 7 • This must be honored to prevent unlawful sex (fornication)vv. 3-5 • There is affection (sex) “due” each spouse • Conclusion Ù it is sinful for one spouse to withhold this from his/her mate

20. What The Scripture Proclaims • God provides the way to avoid it 1 Cor 7 • The unmarried must restrain the desire to be sexually active…if they cannot, they need to marry vv. 8-9 • Though fornication is not mentioned here, it is obviously the implied danger to avoid

21. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is the only reason to put a spouse away in divorce Mt 19 • The “rule” Ù man is not to divorce vv. 3-8 • It is something God hates Mal 2:16 • Yet, He also recognizes the heartache caused by 1 spouse’s unfaithfulness

22. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is the only reason to put a spouse away in divorce Mt 19 • For that reason, He allows an “exception” to His “rule”…a divorce for the cause of fornication v. 9 • He knows the wounds caused may be too much to force the couple to stay married

23. What The Scripture Proclaims • It is the only reason to put a spouse away in divorce Mt 19 • Important to remember… • God does not “command” a divorce • It is only in His mercy toward the faithful spouse that He allows an exception on the grounds of previous fornication

24. Closing Thoughts… • Most saddening…more & more brethren are becoming guilty of this sin • “Intellectual sins” must be guarded against Prov 6:17 Rom 12:3, 16 1 Pet 5:5 • “Fleshly sins” may be harder to conquer • They appeal to lust, excitement, pleasure

25. Closing Thoughts… • The N.T. Christian must understand… • …the violation of trust if he/she is married and commits this sin • …the “cheapening” of one’s self if he/she is unmarried and commits this sin

26. Closing Thoughts… • How can N.T. Christians avoid this sin? • Arm ourselves with the mind of Christ 1 Pet 4:1-5 • Fornication = lasciviousness gone too far • Consciously choose the “will of God” over the “lusts of men” • Remember God will judge the guilty

27. Closing Thoughts… • How can N.T. Christians avoid this sin? • Avoid situations that will lead to fornication 1 Cor 6:18 2 Tim 2:22 • Joseph comes to mind Gen 39:7-12 • Be diligent to… • …remaining sexually pure for marriage • …making your marriage “fornication-proof”

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