DEVOTION – DAY 124

1 Cor.6:18 “Flee!”

 

1 Cor.6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

 

The above verse was written by the apostle Paul to warn the Christians in the city of Corinth. At that time, Corinth was a city that was deep in the worship of the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite. There was the use of prostitution in the name of religion. It was common practice to use temple prostitutes. But sexual immorality corrupts both body and soul of people. God created us to be sexually pure. Sex was to be enjoyed between a husband and wife only. Sex committed outside of marriage was a sin in the eyes of God. Paul also pointed out in this verse that sexual immorality was a sin against the body. This was because a Christian’s physical body is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit that lives inside all Christians. When a Christian engages in sexual immorality, he or she is bringing dishonour to his or her own body. They have sinned against their own body because the body has been defiled. Before that happens, Paul warns us to flee from sexual immorality.

The advice is as relevant today as it was in Paul’s day. There was a shocking revelation recently on the Internet that a famous Christian speaker with the initials RZ was found to have been involved in sexual immorality for many years. He had done this quietly thinking no one would know. The revelations about his sexual misconduct only came to light after his death in May 2020. It shocked many people when the revelations came out causing many to think that if a spiritual “giant” like RZ could commit sexual immorality, so can anyone. This is true and that is why the apostle tells us to flee from sexual immorality. At the first sign of being tempted, we are to turn and run away in the opposite direction. Paul did not tell us to stay and pray. Or stay and fight the temptation and with God’s help, to triumph over the sin of sexual immorality. The Lord knows that we cannot resist the powerful lure of sexual temptation. Our pride may fool us to think we can handle it when we cannot. That is why the Bible repeatedly tells us to flee from sexual immorality.

What does fleeing mean? It means that we take steps never to be alone with someone of the opposite sex unless it is in a public place. It is preferred that in meeting with someone of the opposite sex, it is best to see that person with a chaperone or our spouse. It means turning down any invitation that might cause us to be in a compromising position or may jeopardize our position.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we know our bodies are weak and prone to sin. Please help us to flee from every temptation so that we can be fitting vessels to serve you and give you praise. In the name of the Lord Jesus we humbly ask. Amen. 

 

Questions

  1. What examples of sexual immorality do you see in our society today? What harmful results do you see as a result of such moral decay? Discuss.
  2. Is it possible for you to fall into this sin of sexual immorality? Discuss.
  3. What does fleeing from the sin of sexual immorality mean to you? What practical steps can you take to flee and be accountable to your spouse?