Culture Wars - Sexual Immorality
Sexual Immorality
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other
sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins
against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a
temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your
own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So,
glorify God in your body.
The
Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001
by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 1
Corinthians 6:18-20.
Sermon Recap
In 1 Corinthians 6:18–20, Paul addresses sexual immorality within the church in Corinth. While sexual sin was widespread in the culture, God’s design for sex is specific. While the culture says that Christians are legalistic about sex, God’s design is not about limiting joy — it is about protecting intimacy, preserving holiness, and reminding us of the one we belong to. Therefore, the life of the Christian should be marked by sexual purity.
We find three truths present in the text:
1. Flee Sexual Immorality - 1 Corinthians 6:18
Rather than flirting with sexual sin, Christians are called to flee from it. Flirting with sexual sin means we are intentionally giving space in our lives in order that the sinful desires of the flesh will be gratified. To flee from sexual sin means we are not only free from sin, but we flee towards the good and beautiful plans God has for us.
2. You are a Temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
Paul makes clear that sexual immorality has no place in the life of the Christian because the body of the believer is the very temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This means that both are body and our souls are being sanctified; this directly confronts the lies of our culture that argue bodily actions do not affect the soul. There is no such thing as casual or meaningless sexual activity, but rather sexual immorality has unique implications on the soul.
3. You Were Bought at a Price - 1 Corinthians 6:20
Because of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice, those in Christ have been ransomed from the bondage of sin into spiritual freedom. Christ paid the price for our sin with his own life and death; having been set free in Christ means that our chief aim should be to glorify and obey the one who has redeemed us. Because we have been freed from sin, we should no longer return to the sin that once held us in bondage but walk in the newness of life Christ has given us.
Discussion Questions
What is God’s design for sex? What
constitutes as “sexual immorality?”
Why does Paul connect sexual sin uniquely to
the body?
In what ways does culture promote the idea
that our bodies are our own?
How does remembering that you were “bought
with a price” change the way you think about sexual sin?
How can guilt distort obedience? How does
grace fuel obedience instead?
Closing Thoughts
In an ever-increasing hostile culture to
truth, we must be devoted to daily and weekly gospel community that studies the
Word of God together. The culture around us itches to hear only what it wants
to hear (2 Timothy 4:3), but we must proclaim truth to the world. This means
that we do not shy away from hard conversations but are bold to speak on the
things that God has clearly revealed.
END
