In 1 Corinthians 6:12-14, Paul brings up two common phrases that the Corinthians used to justify their sexual immorality and why the phrases don’t apply in this case. The phrases are “All things are lawful for me” and “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food.” The meaning of “All things are lawful for me” is that Christ has set us free from the Old Testament law as a means of earning salvation. Paired with Acts 10, which is Peter’s vision where God tells him that all food is now clean, believers are now free to eat all foods. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” is talking about how the Corinthians want to satisfy their appetite with food. In the case of food, this is not a problem, but when it comes to sexual immorality and having sexual relations outside of marriage, it becomes a huge issue. Food may be meant for the stomach and the stomach for food, but Paul is very clear in telling us that the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but it is only for God, and God is for our body. I don’t know how the food situation will be in heaven, but Paul is telling us that food and our stomachs will be destroyed. However, he also says that our bodies will be raised up by God’s power. It is clear that our actions pertaining to our bodies are much more important than our eating habits.
Paul then relates this to a church setting in verses 15-17. It is said that two people who are married are joined together in one flesh; however, this also applies to a man and a prostitute if he is joined to her. There are unintended consequences to sexually immoral actions. Paul says that the bodies of Christians are members of Christ, so if one part of the body is unholy in this way, then the whole body will suffer because it is disgracefully connected to the prostitute. If a prostitute gives her life to Jesus and becomes a changed person in Christ, then praise be to God, but this is not what we are talking about here. This is sexual immorality that we need to avoid. One reason why people seek out prostitutes may be because they seek love and acceptance, but a person will never be able to fulfill these desires fully. Paul says that he who is joined to God becomes one spirit with Him. God is the only one who can satisfy the emptiness in our hearts when no other human can.
Verses 18-20 show us why it is so important to flee from sexual immorality. It’s interesting how Paul tells us to flee instead of fight. Take Joseph for example. When he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he didn’t stay; he ran off and left his clothes behind. It’s not like he could have harmed Potiphar’s wife because Joseph probably would have been punished severely for that as well. There was no fight or flight; it was only flight. Sexual immorality doesn’t only refer to having sex outside of marriage. There are so many other sins in that category that are not talked about because of the shame that comes along with it, but it is important that we reflect on our lives and know exactly what we are struggling with. Sexual immorality is the only sin that we commit against our own bodies as well as against God. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell with us and in us. God literally lives in us! Also, God gave us these bodies as gifts, so we should cherish them and not sin against them. Our bodies are not our own; they belong to God. We should glorify God with our bodies instead of committing sexual immorality with our bodies.
What does this mean today? I think many teens know what I’m getting at when I talk about sexual immorality. There are many issues and things that are normalized in this day and age that are sinful, and there is no pushback on sexual immorality. When teens keep everything a secret due to shame, it can be hard to let go of sin. However, the opposite is true as well. When we trust others with our sins and we get accountability partners who encourage us to give up sins, it is much easier to overcome these sins through God. Self control is one of the hardest things in this generation, but it is one of the Fruit of the Spirit, so we must practice self control as much as we can when it comes to fleeing from sins. I encourage everyone to flee while we can.
Thankfulness:
• Studying
• Calling my friend
• Discipleship last night
• Time with God this morning
• Getting good sleep!
Paul then relates this to a church setting in verses 15-17. It is said that two people who are married are joined together in one flesh; however, this also applies to a man and a prostitute if he is joined to her. There are unintended consequences to sexually immoral actions. Paul says that the bodies of Christians are members of Christ, so if one part of the body is unholy in this way, then the whole body will suffer because it is disgracefully connected to the prostitute. If a prostitute gives her life to Jesus and becomes a changed person in Christ, then praise be to God, but this is not what we are talking about here. This is sexual immorality that we need to avoid. One reason why people seek out prostitutes may be because they seek love and acceptance, but a person will never be able to fulfill these desires fully. Paul says that he who is joined to God becomes one spirit with Him. God is the only one who can satisfy the emptiness in our hearts when no other human can.
Verses 18-20 show us why it is so important to flee from sexual immorality. It’s interesting how Paul tells us to flee instead of fight. Take Joseph for example. When he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he didn’t stay; he ran off and left his clothes behind. It’s not like he could have harmed Potiphar’s wife because Joseph probably would have been punished severely for that as well. There was no fight or flight; it was only flight. Sexual immorality doesn’t only refer to having sex outside of marriage. There are so many other sins in that category that are not talked about because of the shame that comes along with it, but it is important that we reflect on our lives and know exactly what we are struggling with. Sexual immorality is the only sin that we commit against our own bodies as well as against God. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell with us and in us. God literally lives in us! Also, God gave us these bodies as gifts, so we should cherish them and not sin against them. Our bodies are not our own; they belong to God. We should glorify God with our bodies instead of committing sexual immorality with our bodies.
What does this mean today? I think many teens know what I’m getting at when I talk about sexual immorality. There are many issues and things that are normalized in this day and age that are sinful, and there is no pushback on sexual immorality. When teens keep everything a secret due to shame, it can be hard to let go of sin. However, the opposite is true as well. When we trust others with our sins and we get accountability partners who encourage us to give up sins, it is much easier to overcome these sins through God. Self control is one of the hardest things in this generation, but it is one of the Fruit of the Spirit, so we must practice self control as much as we can when it comes to fleeing from sins. I encourage everyone to flee while we can.
Thankfulness:
• Studying
• Calling my friend
• Discipleship last night
• Time with God this morning
• Getting good sleep!
Love