Fornication (Part 1 of 3) - an article by Dan Richardson
In such a promiscuous age, we need to be often reminded of what God's word says about fornication. This isn't a word that flows freely in the language of 21st century man, but its practice has permeated our society, and no doubt, many will spend eternity in hell because of it. Many have become so hardened by sin that they no longer feel shame for immoral behavior. Our "politically correct" age looks with disgust at any attempt to teach restraint of any human impulse. Atheistic/humanistic thinking has prevailed to convince many that looseness of morals is merely a mark of progress and freedom from the shackles of Victorian thinking.
What Is "Fornication"?
Defined, "fornication" is illicit sexual activity, a general term which includes various forms of deviant sexual behavior such as "adultery" (sexual immorality between married persons), "homosexuality" (sexual immorality between those of the same sex), and bestiality (sexual immorality with animals). It is "illicit", that is, prohibited by law - God's, not man's. Only within the sacred bond of marriage, as ordained by God, may sexual activity exist and be pleasing to God (Romans 7:2-3; Hebrews 13:4). Husband and wife are "bound" by the law of God in marriage (Romans 7:2). It is, therefore, God's terms, not man's, that determines whether a man and woman are bound as husband and wife, or whether one is discharged from God's marriage law by a divorce (Romans 7:3; Matthew 19:9). Here we often see a conflict with what the laws of government allow and what God allows. Because fornication is such a heinous transgression in God's sight, as well as that of God-fearing people, such gives emphasis to how important marriage is.
In seeking to comprehend this subject, don't be deceived by the so-called explanations of human wisdom given to describe and/or justify fornication. Understanding what fornication is not will assist in our viewing it properly. Consider the following carefully.
First, fornication is not "love". One of Satan's lies is to convince people that they can engage in sexual immorality and then justify it on the basis of love. The "if you really love me" line is just a ploy for the gratification of carnal lusts. However, scripture instructs us of our duty to love our neighbor - a love not defined in terms of personal gratification, not working ill to one's neighbor, not behaving itself unseemly, nor rejoicing in unrighteousness, but treating others as God demands, in all dignity and purity (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 13:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6).
Second, fornication is not "freedom". Our society loves the phrase, "freedom of _expression", which is used by many to warrant any kind of deviant behavior one desires to engage in. However, God teaches us that such will only make them slaves to sin (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). Scripture speaks of those "entice in the lusts of the flesh by lasciviousness... promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage" (2 Peter 2:18-19).
Third, fornication is not a sign of "progress". With the close of the last century, I heard different people, who were seeking to rationalize fornication, say something like, "But it's the '90's." This was to suggest that by the advancements of modern man, he somehow has outgrown moral responsibility. God has never viewed an immoral people as making progress, but to the contrary, as depraved: "Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34).
A Heart Problem
"For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, railings: these are the things which defile the man..." (Matthew 15:19-20).
The "heart" of man, as taught in the Bible, has reference to one's intellect, will, and emotions - the inner man which determines outward conduct, and for which we are responsible to cultivate and control under the direction of God's word: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). Man's heart can become corrupt by his carelessness.
Those whose consciences are tuned toward God will consider their ways and diligently keep their hearts by a resolute study of God's word (Psalm 119:11, 104), fervent prayer to the throne of grace (Matthew 6:13; Hebrews 4:16), continual meditation of truth (Psalm 1:2; Philippians 4:8), and putting into action what they learn in their quest to live pure and holy lives (James 1:21-27).
Your Environment
Joseph's wisdom regarding his environment is seen in Genesis 39:10, "And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her." Joseph was cautious not to place himself in a compromising situation where immorality could easily occur. Similarly, we must be watchful and cautious with regard to our surroundings. This necessitates we know something about ourselves with regard to our peculiar weaknesses and problem-areas where we are particularly vulnerable and likely to sin: "When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently him that (ASV footnote, "what") is before thee; and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite" (Proverbs 23:1). In other words, by knowing ourselves and being observant of our surroundings, there are times when we ought to be afraid and, like Joseph, willing to literally flee from temptation (Genesis 39:12; compare also Paul's warning to "flee fornication" in 1 Corinthians 6:18).
Scripture abounds with warnings against carelessly placing ourselves in wicked surroundings: "abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22); "Be not deceived, evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33); "But put ye own the Lord Jesus Christ and make not prevision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). We must be watchful to avoid the influence of evil (Matthew 26:41).
Be Not Dismayed by Earl Kimbrough (earlkim@tampabay.rr.com)
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isa. 41:10).
The Lord addresses the words of Isaiah 41:8-20 to Israel as they
faced the time of Babylonian Captivity. But the promise he gave
in verse ten in essence was repeated many times to his people
in old times. It remains as comforting and reassuring to Christians
today as it was to the faithful in the time of Moses, Samuel,
and Isaiah. The Lord said:
1. "Fear not, for I am with you." Fear is a common emotion
of mankind. Many things can cause us to be afraid-violent weather,
crime, war, critical sickness, brushes with death, economic depression,
and tragic accidents, to name a few. Christians face the same
dangers that cause the rest of humanity to fear, plus the persecution
and affliction they may suffer as Christians. But Christians have
less reason to fear these things than others. They hear the tender
voice of God saying, "fear not" while giving them the
greatest reason not to: "for I am with you."
2. "Be not dismayed, for I am your God." Dismay is a
kind of fear that results in anxiety, discouragement, and apprehension.
It indicates a loss of faith and courage in facing some difficulty,
real or supposed, with which one does not know how to deal. We
sometimes find ourselves facing such things with such depressing
uneasiness that we hardly known what to pray for in regard to
it. But here again, the words of God speak softly to our hearts
saying there is no reason to be dismayed "for I am your God."
We may not see the end but God does. We do not need to know the
solution to our problems beforehand. It is enough to simply know
that the Lord is our God (cf. Psa. 23). That says it all!
3. "I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you." The
Lord does not promise to deliver us from the things that may cause
fear or dismay, but he removes fear by promising the strength
to deal with the problems. He also promises in his providence
to help us. We are encouraged to come boldly to the throne of
grace that we may "obtain mercy and find grace in time of
need" (Heb. 4:16).
If we surrender our lives to the Lord without fear or dismay,
trusting him for the promised strength and aid, then he says:
"I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." With
the assurance God gives in these words, what cause to we have
to be fear or be dismayed?
Among those who classify themselves as "born again Christians:"
- 25% believe that Jesus committed sins whiile on the earth.
- 50% believe that Satan and the Holy Spiriit are symbols, not
living beings.
- 30% believe Jesus was not physically resuurrected.
- via Boiling Point, by George Barna & Mark Hatch
2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among
the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who
privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord
that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
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This Months Bible Reading: 1 and 2 Samuel.
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