Help me define sexual immorality? I had a discussion with some young adults about sexual immorality. I have added a few scriptures and named some sexually immoral things. Are there more?
Colossians 3:5 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 10:8 - We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did — and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
Jude 7 - In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
Define the following from Scripture:
Adultery
Fornication
Homosexuality
Pornography
Lust
Name and define some more
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
14 comments:
Pastor Ray,
Does the Bible say anything about masturbation?
Although the term is not used, one can imply that lust or the sexual thought, which would be most prevalent in masturbation, is sinful.
Matthew 5:28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who has looked a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
One could ask the question the other way as well. Does the Bible say anything good or acceptable about masturbation.
Another preacher once said in a sermon - if we get caught in asking "what does the Bible say" about this and that we will miss the point. The Bible is the basis of our belief system, but the better question might be, "what is the wise thing for me to do".
Again, although not named, masturbation might fall into the category of useless things.
Psalm 119:35-37 – “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statues and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
In vitro fertilization requires sperm from a man by masturbation. To check if a man's vasectomy has worked he is required to masturbate to check his sperm count. Would these acts be a sin?
I believe one of the most subtle ways that sexual immorality has crept into our lives is through the way we dress. Woman of all ages should be modest in their dress. Not that the Bible has a dress code but I think somewhere in Timothy of Peter it talks of modest dress. Unfortunately men are enticed into lust thoughts when they see women and young girls dress seductively. And it even happens in church.
Technology is amazing and vitro fertilization can and does help some couples to have children. But if sin (lust) is used to capture the seed, can it be good? Or are we deciding that sin is ok if it has a good result?
I agree that women should watch what they wear. But men should learn to control their imaginations and their thoughts as well.
Men should look at women as their sister or daughter.
Godly women should come along side of younger women and help them with their dress. Men should support one another with every man's battle.
Let us not point the finger but rather find a solution.
Pastor Ray,
You are not shy from staying on top of very real topics.
Thanks for "keeping it real".
I would like to add that both males and females play critical roles pros and cons when it comes to impurity issues. I feel too much blame is placed on males in this area. As males are more hard-wired to visuals, and need to control their thoughts, females do need to realize that their dress at "all times" further leads to male's natural visual wiring. We know the "world" (Dancing-w-the-stars, cheerleaders, models, etc, etc)naturally projects a very overly sexual overtune in all advertising, which adds to the weakness of the flesh in impurity issues.
The only thing the Bible indicates as sexual immorality is the action of sex outside of marriage (even then you must define "sex"), homosexuality, and lust.
This is tough for people (me including) as to what is prohibited to use in a relationship. Obviously, the actual act of sex (genitals) is wrong and sinful, but there are many other actions that Christian people do that are not considered sex (genitals) yet is severely intimate - I do not know if I am allowed to list them because they are graphic.
I always thought God said do not have sex because he was related to Buzz Killington, but it was to protect us. God commanded us to wait until marriage because marriage is supposed to be that final decision, saying you will be with this person forever. Therefore you can put your full trust into someone and give the full emotion w/o fear of pain. Sex is the greatest emotional toll you could pay and if you pay it before you get married to someone you do not know you will be with forever then that is a lot of pain.
This is something I figured out with my last relationship. I did not have sex with the girl but it still kills me to this day (over a year now) because I put so much emotion into the relationship; I could not imagine if we had sex! I would be in so much more pain and the way I felt was a feeling I did not think could get any worse. The point is every intimate action you act on is a little emotional toll you are paying, and over time adds up to be a lot, and if you lose that person, that is CRAP LOAD of pain you will face. A lot of Christians will say "I know I will be with this person forever so its ok," but that's what I thought and I am a miserable lonely man right now. You don't know jack! The person you are in love with now could leave you in 5 minutes (especially if they are a woman; they are prone to ripping hearts out and eating them in front of you then dating another guy).
So it is up to you how much emotion you want to give or take in a relationship, but know that you are paying a very big price for something that may not last.
I'm glad that we can communicate about real topics that impact our daily lives from a Biblical point of view.
Hard subjects are the ones that we need the most answers to and the ones that many shy away from or won't talk about at all.
This is one way we can address them and not feel ashamed. Look for the next tough question coming out this next week.
I think masturbation is mentioned in the old testament, but I could be wrong.
Onan is thought to have masturbated by some but if you read the story - found in Genesis 38 - you will see differently.
The passage that some call masturbation is found in Genesis 38:9 "But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so whenever he lay with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from producing offspring for his brother."
What really happened here is not self induced gratification but rather, he was laying with his brother's wife, which in those days was acceptable to produce offspring for the family. He didn't want to have children that were not his and so he would spill his seed at the appropriate moment. He was having the pleasure of his brother's wife without fulfilling the family duty. This was seen as sinful by God.
For this his life was taken - Genesis 38:10 "What he did was wicked in the Lord's sight; so he put him to death also."
I hope this helps.
Pastor Ray,the passage above has sparked a question for me... Is it sinful for a married couple to be intimate with each other, but then for the husband to spill his seed at the appropriate time outside of his wife's body if they are trying to avoid pregnancy? I am not trying to spark a heated discussion or offend anyone, I am just wondering if this act would be sinful. Thank you
That is a good question Anonymous 9:29 pm. The question of contraceptives also comes into play. I believe the circumstance you describe is not that same as the passage I quoted about Onan. Onan had a responsibility to father a child for his brother in that culture. He was given the pleasure of his brother's wife in order to fulfill that responsibility and instead of fulfilling it, deceived his brother by spilling his seed.
For years this was seen as a scripture against masturbation, but instead I see it as a passage against deception. The passages against masturbation usually deal with lust and the thought life that usually accompany masturbation.
Sorry if I didn't answer your question. How about some thoughts concerning contraceptives?
Dear Friend,
Genesis 38:9 is a good study about sexual immorality for young adults. The following topics can be discussed.
Contraception - How and if this verse relates to different types of contraception?
Masturbation - How and if this verse relates to masturbation?
Levirate marriage - Define and discuss the motives for Onan's actions.
Onanism - Define and discuss its origin.
Keep up the good work.
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