“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”
Flee sexual immorality.
When it comes to temptation regarding a sex sin – flee it. The Greek indicates immediate and decisive disassociation from sexual sin. The Greek word is the word from which we get the English word “fugitive.” “Become a fugitive from sexual sins.” There is an internal injury with sexual sins, so it is not something we debate or discourse about.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
Every sin that a man does is outside the body,
Other sins such as thievery and lying do not affect the body, but the body itself is the instrument of sin in immorality.
but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
Fornication violates the body, and the body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Immorality, like no other sin, is internal and desecrates the temple of the Lord.
PRINCIPLE:
We do not debate sexual sins but deal with them decisively.
APPLICATION:
There is a consistent counsel from the Word of God when it comes to sex sins – “flee.” Don’t think about it. Don’t go for counseling about it. Don’t debate it. Don’t even fight it. Flee it. That is what Joseph did when he fled from Potiphar’s wife (Ge 39).
There is a constructive side to dealing with the sin of immorality – “pursue.” After a believer flees sexual sin, he is to pursue what he puts into his mind aggressively.
2 Timothy 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Love this site! Thank you for sharing your insights on the Scriptures.
I pastor the Harrellsville Baptist Church in Harrellsville, NC a small rural Baptist Church with loving people and they love good solid preaching and study! THANK YOU again for sharing. Blessings on you and your ministry!
Thank you Dr Jeff for the encouraging words.
Wow, great way of clarification and solid analysis.
but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
How? What does that look like? What happens in the actual body?
Annie,
This is a sin against the body because it becomes the instrument of sexual sin. That sin becomes incompatible with God’s purpose for the creation of the body. Thus, this sin works havoc on the person. Additionally, it assaults the believer’s oneness with Christ, with which body the Holy Spirit indwells permanently. Admittedly, this is a very difficult passage to interpret, but this interpretation is most likely because of the reference to the Holy Spirit in the next verse.