Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Keeping Your Flesh Under Subjection (Ch 4 -excerpt)

"FORNICATION"

Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (I Corinthians 6:18)

Sex outside of marriage, whether you are in “love” or “like” is a sin in the eyes of God.  What is viewed to the world as intimacy between a man and a woman is viewed as morally wrong to God. When God created man, He decided to create woman for man, because He said that man should not be alone.  The concept of sex and intimacy was ordained and blessed by God between a husband and a wife.

            Out of all the characteristics of the lust of the flesh, “Fornication” is an area people shy away from.  Fornication (porneia) is noted as illicit (illegal or forbidden) sexual intercourse.  Fornication is considered as illicit, illegal or forbidden because it goes against what intimacy was created for.  God ordained sexual intercourse for a man and a woman as husband and wife (in marriage). 

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.  (Hebrews 13:4)

              As a single parent, fleeing fornication has been an important aspect of my life.  Many people are not educated in this particular subject.  The Bible tells us, over and over again to flee fornication.  Fornication is so important that it was viewed as whoredom in the Old Testament.  Penalties for fornication were in the form of payment, forced marriages, and even death.

To take this one step further, fornicators are placed in the same category with adulterers, idolaters, thieves, drunkards and so on, as noted in I Corinthians 6:9.  I don’t know about you, but I thank God we don’t live in the Bible days, because what we view as “a way of life” would have gotten us killed – saved and unsaved alike.

You may be saying, “What is the big deal?  It is your body and you can do what you want” or “If the truth be told, everyone is doing it and besides when you love someone you should be able to show them. Right?”. 

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.  (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

            Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the third part of the Trinity (God, the Father - God, the Son - God, the Holy Spirit)  You and I have the third part of the Trinity living on the inside of us.  Therefore, we must be mindful of how we keep our bodies and what we allow to be placed on the inside of them. 

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. (Romans 12:1)

It is important that we present, give, or even offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.  As a living sacrifice, you are surrendering your will to God’s will and your way to God’s way.  For God to do whatever He wants to do through you, for you and with you.  This is the least we can do, since God has done so much for us even when we didn’t deserve it.  Once again Saints, your body is not your own. 

            So ladies, let me add a little nugget here!  Stop selling yourself cheap for rent money, a car note or even you telephone bill.  Keep the CANDY STORE CLOSED!  CLOSE THE DOORS TO THE SUPPLY CABINET!!!  Now fellas, stop trying to prove your manhood by having sex with every woman you come in contact with.  You are still a man or a woman even if you are a virgin.  Remember that AIDS has no sexual preference. 

Test driving your relationship by fornicating and/or shacking up will not guarantee you a title or position as husband or wife.  Like our grandparents and great grandparents use to say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk free.”  Ouch!

Child of God, when you say “Yes” to God and submit your body to Him, God will make the provisions for you to flee or run away from fornication.  God has the power to do anything but fail.  All you have to do is surrender your body and mind to His authority, to His will and to His way.  God is able to keep you, if you want to be kept. 

For that which I do I allow not:  for what I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  For I know that in me (that is, my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:  for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do  (Romans –7:15-19)

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