July 31
12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 NKJV
This portion of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians provides valuable insight on why sexual sin is so destructive to us. When we ask Jesus into our lives, God sends the Holy Spirit to live “in” us (19). The Holy Spirit seals God’s ownership of our body, soul and spirit.
Our body is literally a temple for the Holy Spirit. Temples are used for worship, so our bodies ought to be dedicated to worshipping God. Sexual sin brings rebellion right into the temple before God. It corrupts the temple and damages our bodies. Paul mentioned in verse 18 that sex sin is sin against our bodies. The consequences of this can include alienation from God, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, curses, spiritual confusion, soul ties and footholds for future sexual sin (see consequences page).
Defiled temples can be cleansed and rededicated to the Lord. If you have sinned sexually in thought or action, you can turn from your sin, repent and re-dedicate your body to Him. You may not escape the consequences of your previous actions, but you can start reaping God’s blessings for deciding to honor him with your body now.
Questions for further thought:
What was the “price” that we were bought for by God? (20)
What does it mean to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits? (20)
How does a sinful sexual union affect our ability to glorify God in body and spirit?
Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, I desire to rededicate myself as a temple for your purposes. Please forgive me for any sin that I have practiced in thought or deed. Please cleanse me with the blood of Jesus and purify this temple. Lord, please sever any unhealthy soul ties that I have made through sexual sin and restore me and the person(s) I sinned with to wholeness. Please heal me from any negative physical effects or diseases that I may have contracted because of my sin. Thank for your forgiveness and healing, Lord. I desire to worship you in spirit and in truth from today forward. Please lead me by the Holy Spirit and show me the path of righteousness each day. Thank You, Father! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”