17th Jun 26 | 05:17
Studies by Book
Abstain from sexual immorality
📖 Acts 15:19-21
Acts 15 - Series 1/Episode 70 - Wed, 01st Apr 2026 - Abstain from sexual immorality - Acts 15:01-21 - THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL - Galatians 05:19-21
Acts 15:19-21 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, (20) but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood. (21) For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
...abstain from ... sexual immorality...
How is sexual immorality a matter that is against faith in Christ Jesus?
The body is not for sexual immorality, but our bodies belong to the Lord. _I Corinthians 6:13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body._
We therefore must honour God with our bodies. _I Corinthians 6:15-20 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! (16) Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "THE TWO," He says, "SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." (17) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (18) Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
We are married to Christ, and we belong entirely to Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (26) *that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word*, (27) that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
As we understand sexual immorality, we are dealing with the covenant relationship of marriage, which is built on sexual faithfulness. Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. (31) "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." (32) This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Marriage between a man and his wife, who is a woman, is a covenant relationship that represents the covenant marriage relationship of God with His people. Isaiah 54:5-6 For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth. (6) For the LORD has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God. / Hosea 2:16 "And it shall be, in that day," Says the LORD, "That you will call Me 'My Husband,' And no longer call Me 'My Master,' / Hosea 2:19-20 "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; (20) *I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness*, And you shall know the LORD.
Abstaining from sexual immorality is the heart of the covenant relationship of marriage we have with Christ as our Husband. Sexual faithfulness in our marriages represents our faithfulness to God, who is our Husband. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Sexual immorality is the practise of idolatry. I Thessalonians 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; (4) that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, (5) not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; / Colossians 3:5-7 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (6) Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (7) in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Paul dedicates the entire chapter of I Corinthians 5 to the matter of holiness in the church. He speaks strongly, addressing the matter of sexual immorality within the church. I Corinthians 5:6-7 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (7) Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. The Gentiles turning to Christ needed to know that they were now part of a new, set-apart and transformed community in Christ.
Sexual immorality affects our identity in Christ. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, (21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Community Feedback
Reviews for Abstain from sexual immorality
☆☆☆☆☆
0 reviews
Leave a Review
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.