The Importance of Sexual Purity

“Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But this I say by way of concession, not of command. Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

The writing of First Corinthians was a painful process for the apostle Paul. Never before had he been called by God to pen such a heavy handed letter. But then the problems in Corinth were nothing to wink at.

A question had been raised concerning marriage and singleness. The real issue, however, was sexual purity. The Corinthians complained they had needs - needs that were once met by temple prostitutes and homosexual encounters. Now that they were Christians, they were burned with desires they found hard to control.

Somehow this story line has a familiar twenty-first century feel to it. There is never a time when impurity is acceptable before God. If you are married, your passion must be turned toward your mate. If you are single, God calls you to live a life of celibacy.

When we allow Satan to darken our view, purity is no longer the norm. Yet in God’s eyes it remains the most honored of all states. Before you yield to sexual temptation, consider the costs - broken marriages, shattered hopes, damaged lives, and greater still, altered fellowship with God.

If temptation is begging for your attention, turn away and run to Jesus. He understands your deepest needs and promises to provide for your every care.

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20