" SEXUAL IMMORALITY "

My very best to you, I feel that it's my duty to have this chat with you today. It's my prayer that you will have ears to hear. Outside of marriage, sex destroys relationships. Within marriage, if approached with the right attitude, it can be a relationship builder. God frequently had to warn people against the practice of extramarital sex. Today we still need to hear his warnings; young people need to be reminded about premarital sex, and adults need to be reminded about sexual fidelity. Sexual sin is devastating because it's consequences are so far reaching. We are to resist sin.

Potiphar's wife failed to seduce Joseph, who resisted this temptation by saying that it would be a sin against God. Now, Joseph didn't say, " I'd be hurting you, " or " I'd be sinning against Potiphar " or " I'd be sinning against myself. " Under pressure, such excuses are easily rationalized away. Remember that sexual sin is just not between two consenting adults. It is an act of disobedience against God. Now please hang in with me, this list of commands against sexual sins includes extremely harsh punishments. Why? God had no tolerance for such acts for the following reasons: (1) They shatter the mutual commitment of marriage partners; (2) they destroy the sanctity of the family. (3) They twist people's mental well-being; and (4) they spread disease.

Sexual Sin has always been widely available. But the glorification of sex between people who are not married to each other often hides deep tragedy and hurt behind the scenes. When society portrays sexual sins as attractive, it is easy to forget the dark side. God had good reasons for prohibiting sexual sins: He loves us and wants the very best for us. OK put your thinking cap on. Why did God include so many laws about sexual sin? Instructions about sexual behavior is vital to our well being. As Christians we must realize the importance of strong rules about sex for believers because sexual sins have the power to disrupt and destroy. Sins involving sex are not innocent dabbling's in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down down the climate of respect, trust and credibility so essential for marriages and secure children.

LAST POINT: The " Wrath Of God " refers to God's judgment on these kinds of behavior, culminating with with future and final punishment of evil. When tempted to sin, remember that you must one day stand before God. We should consider ourselves dead and unresponsive to sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desires, and greed. Just like diseased limbs of a tree, these practices must be cut off before they destroy us. We must make a conscious, daily decision to remove anything that supports or feeds these desires and to rely on the Holy Spirit's power. Sexual Immorality has tremendous power to destroy families, churches, and communities because it destroys the integrity on which these relationships are built. God wants to protect us from hurting ourselves and others; thus we are to have no part in sexual immorality, even if our culture accepts it.

Until Next Time...
Jim