Sexual Contact With Sexually Immoral People Makes You One Of Them
According to the Bible, sleeping with another person while in a committed marriage isnt the only action considered as sexual immorality. When two people commit a sexual act, within or outside marriage, the Lord considers them as one flesh. The Bible tells us not to associate with anyone who is sexually immoral. This is because we may be tempted and become sexually immoral as well . The punishment for sexual immortality wont be greater nor lesser for either but will be equal.
1 Corinthians 6:15-16 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, The two will become one flesh.
This is why God gave us the gift of marriage for us to avoid worldly temptations. In other words, having a wife should prevent a man from sleeping with another woman having a husband should prevent a woman from sleeping with another man. Being husband and wife through love and marriage frees Christians from sexually immoral acts.
1 Corinthians 7:1-2Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
Sex Outside Of Marriage Is Considered A Sin
You likely already knew that “You shall not commit adultery,” is one of the Ten Commandments. But the Bible has many, many more verses about adultery.
Hebrews 13:4 reads “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Within a marriage, partners are meant to be faithful to God and each other.
“The sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 also notes that to commit adultery is to sin not only against God, but against oneself. “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body,” reads this verse. “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” If a person physically cheats on their spouse, they aren’t only dishonoring their marriage, they’re dishonoring God.
The Best 40 Bible Verses About Sexual Immorality
Modified: Apr 22, 2020
Everywhere we turn today, we see the words sex, fornication, adultery, and cheating. Sexual immorality is not only blatant, but it is also subtle. Sexual immorality has been around since The Fall of Man. Although usage of this term has been changed throughout the years, how the Bible defines it will never change. Through this article, you can find Bible verses and learn what the Bible says about sexual immorality.
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The Bible Says God Intended Sex To Be Breathtakingly Good
I know we often think of all of the donts listed in the Bible when it comes to sex, but lets start off with the dos. In his perfect wisdom God put a whole book full of love-making dos right near the front of his holy book. Chances are you havent read Song of Songs recently, so let me refresh your memory.
The book is a playful back and forth between a husband and wife. The man and woman are both feeling the heat of the moment as they call back and forth to one another. And they leave no detail out when describing their love and longing for one another.
From the man to the woman:
You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride,a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.Song of Songs 4:12
And from the woman to the man:Like the finest apple tree in the orchardis my lover among other young men.I sit in his delightful shadeand taste his delicious fruit.Song of Songs 2:3
Nothing about Song of Solomon is G rated. Why does God include such a provocative poem in the Bible? Simply put, its because sex is good. And if we read this book correctly, we really cant even say it so plainly when God describes it so gloriously. God intends marital sex to be overwhelmingly good, full of passion and truly satisfying.
Single people, read this truth but dont dwell on it or let it awaken anything in you that God has not yet activated in your life. Throughout Song of Songs, the woman is constantly reminding us, I charge you, do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time .
God Designed Sex For Marriage
Genesis 2:24 – That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-6 – Havent you read, he replied, that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 – But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wifes sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husbands needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
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Bible Verses About Sexual Immorality
Acts 15:29“You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
1 Corinthians 5:15It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:911I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people — not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler — not even to eat with such a one.
1 Corinthians 10:8We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
So Does The Bible Really Say Its Wrong
Before you book a hotel room and call up your girlfriend with the good news, please keep reading! Yes, the Bible does say that all forms of sex outside of marriage are wrong. Heres how.
The early chapters of Genesis give a basic blueprint for marriage, and even though it never says Thou shall not have sex before marriage, it certainly suggests that sex outside of marriage flows against Gods design. Gods command to be fruitful and multiply is joyfully heeded by Adam and Eve after they are joined in marriage . The same goes for their descendants. Noah, Shem, Abram and others all have sex and therefore have children within the confines of a marriage covenant.
When they turn to other women, such as Abrahams sexual relations with Hagar , the act was not considered an affair. Hagar was more like a modern day surrogate mother who bears a child in the place of an infertile wife. Nevertheless, these acts dont appear to be sanctioned by God, even though they were widely accepted in Israels culture.
Throughout the Old Testament, its assumed that God designed sex for marriage. Deuteronomy condemns a soon to be wife who has had sex before marriage , and the love poetry contained in the Song of Songs delights in the joys of sex but reserves it for a husband and wife. Extra-marital sex is never looked upon with divine approval in the Old Testament, no matter how bright the love-flame burns.
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What Is A Christian Couple Allowed To Do In Sex
God designed your body for sexual pleasure, and He wants married couples to enjoy a thriving sex life. A couple engaged in sexual intimacy honor each other and God.
The Bible does not address sexual positions, but theres no reason not to explore what brings you the most pleasure. In fact, some positions can be helpful for women who may experience discomfort during sex such as side by side or with the wife above. As a couple, find what works best!
What about oral sex? First, the Bible does not forbid it. Secondly, some passages in the Song of Solomon seem to be euphemisms for oral sex between a husband and his bride.
You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain. Your thighs shelter a paradise of pomegranates with rare spices.
: Awake, north wind! Rise up, south wind! Blow on my garden and spread its fragrance all around. Come into your garden, my love taste its finest fruits.
I would give you spiced wine to drink, my sweet pomegranate wine.
Like the finest apple tree in the orchard is my lover among other young men. I sit in his delightful shade and taste his delicious fruit.
The important thing is to respect and honor your spouses feelings about oral sex. They may not feel comfortable with this sort of foreplay so dont pressure them. But if its something the two of you want to explore and enjoy doing thats okay!
How Can I Overcome Sexual Temptation
Overcoming sexual temptation whether married or unmarried involves being intentional about protecting yourself from situations where temptation might be overwhelming like heavy petting when dating. But even married people might find themselves drawn to someone other than their spouse.
Remember just because feelings of lust pop up, you dont have to give in to them. Sin is not your master. You can resist the devil, and he will flee from you. You have power over your desires exercise that power! How? Keep yourself out of situations that might lead you to sexual immorality. If youre dating, curb physical affection and avoid being alone together too much.
If youre married, guard against getting too close emotionally to someone. Many adulterous affairs begin with a close emotional connection, so be careful that no one supplants your emotional relationship with your spouse.
Where are your eyes drifting? Set a guard over your eyes. Exercise great caution with your computer, phone, and TV.
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.
Anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Above all, nurture your marriage! Work at keeping bonded emotionally. Carve out time to have fun together, find ways to reignite sexual excitement and emotional connection. Schedule date nights, remember to engage in thoughtful behaviors throughout the day, and sit down for some passionate kissing.
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Sex Positions Outside The Bedroom
The book of Song of Solomon reveals that God approves of sexual activity between a husband and wife. It is a positive statement of what is permissible. Consequently Song of Solomon 7:10-11 reveals that God approves of sexual activity that occurs in other places than at home on the marriage bed. In the following passage notice that the wife is planning to take a trip and spend a night at some distant village and then in the morning go out into the vineyard and engage in lovemaking or foreplay and sexual intercourse.
I am my beloveds,And his desire is for me.Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country,Let us spend the night in the villages.Let us rise early and go to the vineyards Let us see whether the vine has buddedAnd its blossoms have opened,And whether the pomegranates have bloomed.There I will give you my love.Song of Solomon 7:10-11
This reveals that God has a positive view of such activity between a husband and a wife. The descriptions of vineyards, blossoms and pomegranates are highly suggestive.
Genesis 26:8 also reveals that Isaac and Rebekah were engaged in lovemaking outside. The passage seems to indicate that King Ablimelech was looking outside from his palace window when Isaac and Rebekah were engaged in lovemaking outside the house in the backyard or on the roof top.
God Can Read Our Hearts And Minds
Through our hearts and minds, we can commit sin. Our thoughts are the beginning of our every action. We must be very careful about what we think as God considers lustful and worldly thoughts as sexually immoral.
He went on: What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a persons heart, that evil thoughts comesexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.
We should think in-line with whats stated in the Bible and according to Christs teachings. This is because God holds us accountable for our thoughts . As much as adultery is punishable by Gods law, so as thinking about it. Desiring or sexually thinking of anyone who is not your other half can also be considered as adultery.
Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
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And Finally A Few Thoughts From Me:
- If trust has been broken between you and your wife through any sexual indiscretions, it takes a great deal of time to rebuild. You cannot rush your wifes responses. Prayer and time may be your best friend here. And dont do it alone.
- Showing that you value your wife as a whole person is the best way to become irresistable to her. That means wanting HER, not just her body.
- Learning your wifes love needs may change things between you significantly. Its worth your effort to do so.
- Remember that Jesus was a man, and understands exactly the difficulties and frustrations you face. He will provide the wisdom and strength you need.
Now, a few resources where you can hear from other men struggling with these same issues:
- Every Mans Battle: workshops and community to help men win the war on sexual temptation and live a life of sexual integrity
- Ransomed Heart: resources and community designed to help people, especially men, recovery the heart of the gospel.
- Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secrets of a Mans Soul, by John Eldredge
My prayers are with you as you become the man God created you to be!
Your Turn: What do you believe the Bible has to say to a man who is sexually frustrated in his marriage? Leave a comment below.
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- The Bible has a lot to say to a man whose wife does not or cannot respond sexually. Tweet that.
Married Couples Should Have It Often
Queen Victoria famously instructed the Christian ladies in her realm to Lie back and think of the Empire a view of sex that seems pessimistic and pragmatic in the extreme. Thankfully the Bible presents a very different view. In addition to the goodness, generosity, and reciprocity mentioned above, the Scriptures also recommend a level of frequency that many modern Bible readers find quite surprising.
The Apostle Paul told his people:
Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
At most, married couples could set aside a few days for dedicated prayer and spiritual observance only if both parties were in agreement but then they must come together quickly lest they be tempted to sexual immorality.
As in the Old Testament, so in the New, frequent marital intercourse is prescribed as a guard against a wandering eye and a lustful heart. The assumption is that if we drink deeply from our own cisterns we will be less tempted to draw from our neighbours well. There is great wisdom and great joy in following this inspired instruction.
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What Can You Consider As Sexual Immorality
Sexual immorality means having sexual relations or committing sexual acts that go against what was written in the Bible.
Homosexuality is sexual immorality. Time has changed, and so have the peoples adherence to Gods word. More and more people have been desensitized with sin, and instead of correcting it, they justified it instead.
Christian communities stand on the belief that the union between people of the same gender is a sin. No matter what the LGBTQ community claims, the Bible says otherwise. For example, the LGBTQ community claims that their relationships are as normal as any heterogenous relationship.
The LGBTQ++ community, as they call themselves, argues that being attracted to the same gender is not something they choose, rather its a natural feeling of love, and love is made by God.
The LGBTQ community uses certain Bible verses to argue that everyone heterosexual or homosexual should respect all people. They point out that everyone has sinned so no one has the right to judge anyone. However, verses that they usually site are taken out of context. There is no verse in the Bible that claims God makes mistakes in giving us our specific gender and sexuality. He created each person perfect the way we are when we were born .
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female