Fornication: Sin Against The Body And Soul

The Bible states that fornication is a sin against one's own body. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul tells the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality. He argues that sexual immorality is a sin against one's body because it defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit, which resides within us. Sex outside of marriage is considered a sin as it creates an unholy bond between two people, and God intended sex to be between a husband and wife. This act can also lead to various consequences such as STDs, unplanned pregnancies, and abortion. Therefore, it is important to teach young people about the importance of chastity and purity before marriage to avoid these consequences and to honour God's commands.

The body is a temple

This verse emphasizes the sanctity and importance of the physical body. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, is reminding them that their bodies are not just physical vessels, but sacred spaces where the Holy Spirit dwells. The use of the word "temple" here is significant, as it refers to the inner sanctuary of a temple, the most sacred part where the deity would reside. By calling the body a temple, Paul elevates the physical body to a place of divine residence, underscoring its holiness and the need for purity.

The Holy Spirit, being the third person of the Trinity, indwells believers. This indwelling signifies a profound relationship between the believer and God, transforming the believer's body into a sacred space. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a testament to the believer's sanctification and calling to live a life that honours God. It is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is not distant but resides within each believer, providing guidance, comfort, and empowerment for holy living.

Furthermore, the statement, "You are not your own", is a powerful declaration of ownership and identity. It signifies that believers belong to God and have been bought with a price, as elaborated in the following verse, "You were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:20). This verse underscores the grace of God in providing His Spirit to dwell within us and calls believers to live their lives in a way that reflects their status as God's possession, dedicated to His service and glory.

The body is the Lord's, and it should be used for His glory. This is the essence of the statement, "The body is a temple". It is a reminder that our physical bodies are not just our own, but they are meant to glorify God and be used for His purposes. This concept has profound implications for how we view and treat our bodies, encouraging us to honour God with our physical beings and live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In conclusion, the statement, "The body is a temple", is a powerful reminder of the sacred nature of our physical bodies and the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. It calls us to live our lives in a way that honours God and recognises that our bodies are not our own, but belong to Him and should be used for His glory.

Sex creates a bond

The Bible teaches that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's spirit lives in us. When we have sex with someone, we become one with that person, and this is something God intended for marriage only.

In 1 Corinthians 6:16, Paul writes:

> "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.'"

This is also referenced in Genesis 2:24:

> "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

God always intended sex to be between a husband and wife, so anything outside of that is not from God.

When we have sex with someone, we form a bond with them. This is because sex is more than a physical act; it is a spiritual mystery. It is written in Scripture, "The two become one."

As we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us lonelier than before. Sex that cannot "become one" is a sin against your own body.

Our bodies are sacred places, the place of the Holy Spirit. We cannot live however we please, squandering what God has paid such a high price for.

The physical part of us is not separate from the spiritual part. God owns the whole of us.

Therefore, we must let people see God in and through our bodies.

Sex outside of marriage breaks a covenant

The Bible teaches that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and God's spirit lives in us. When we have sexual intercourse with someone, we become one with that person. God intended sex to be between a husband and wife, so anything outside of that is not from God.

When we fornicate, we defile the temple of the Holy Spirit. In other words, we sin against our own body. Our bodies have been bought by the Lord at a high price and should be treated that way, so flee sexual immorality.

The Bible says, "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18). Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, is addressing the issue of sexual immorality and building an argument that goes beyond legalities. He asks, "Is this beneficial to myself and others?" and "Will this liberty eventually master me, leading to a place of bondage and addiction?"

Paul also addresses the Corinthian view of the body in 1 Corinthians 6:13, where he says, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food." In other words, "I have an appetite, and it's not wrong to satisfy it." However, Paul responds by saying that both the appetite and the food will be destroyed one day. He contrasts this with sexual immorality, stating that the body was not designed for immorality in the same way that the stomach was designed for food. Sex is more than just a desire to be satisfied; it is a sacred act that creates a spiritual union.

Sexual immorality is a sin that corrupts and ensnares, often leading to physical diseases. It breaks the covenant of the one-flesh marriage, even before marriage, and is a sin against one's body.

It can lead to physical diseases

The Bible states that fornication is a sin against one's own body. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul tells the Corinthians to "flee from sexual immorality". He argues that sexual immorality is a sin that corrupts and ensnares like no other, and it often leads to physical diseases.

Fornication, or sexual intercourse outside of marriage, can expose individuals to various venereal diseases, also known as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These infections can have devastating physical and mental health consequences, particularly for women. For example, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and other STIs can lead to hysterectomies, insanity, blindness, brain and liver damage, sterility, and even death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned about the global rise of STIs, noting their severe impact on public health. The Bible's instruction to "flee from fornication" is thus not just a moral guideline but also a practical measure to protect one's physical health and well-being.

Additionally, the Bible's condemnation of fornication also considers the potential harm caused to others, such as loved ones and any children resulting from the sexual union. The stability of the family unit and the emotional, intellectual, and moral development of children are vital factors to consider when engaging in sexual activity.

In summary, the Bible's stance on fornication as a sin against one's body is underscored by the physical diseases and other detrimental consequences that can arise from sexual immorality.

It can lead to infertility

Fornication is a sin against the body, and one of its consequences is that it can lead to infertility. Infertility is a condition where one cannot get pregnant after a year of trying to conceive. It affects men and women equally, and its risk increases with age.

For women, infertility is commonly caused by problems with ovulation, the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries. Some issues prevent an egg from being released at all, while others cause an egg to be released during some cycles but not others. Ovulation problems can be a result of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, premature ovarian failure, scarring from surgery, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cervical mucus problems, fibroids in or around the womb, endometriosis, and more. PID, for example, is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and can damage and scar the fallopian tubes, making it nearly impossible for an egg to travel down into the womb.

Infertility in men is often caused by poor-quality semen, the fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated during sex. This can be due to a lack of sperm, sperm that are not moving properly, or abnormally shaped sperm, making it harder for them to move and fertilize an egg. Other causes of male infertility include enlarged veins in the scrotum, high heat exposure to the testicles, injury to the testicles, low testosterone, misuse of anabolic steroids, sexual dysfunction, and more.

Both men and women can also experience infertility as a side effect of certain medications and illegal drugs, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, chemotherapy drugs, antipsychotic medicines, marijuana, and cocaine.

While there are many causes of infertility, one in four couples struggling with infertility cannot identify a clear reason.

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