(Ephesians 5:3)
Fornication is an Old Testament word that means sex outside
the bounds of marriage. If you are having sex and it is with someone other
than the person you are married to, it is fornication. It is clearly
defined as sin in the Bible. To see how God feels about this issue, you
should get a Bible concordance, look up the word "fornication", and read
the various scriptures in God's Word that address this issue. Also, let me
say this in advance of the questions I know many are already getting ready
to ask. Jesus said if you lust in your heart, you have committed the act of
adultery. That may seem like a very high example to live up to. But that
is what God expects of us. If you remember, in past Devotionals I have
talked about sin and how it starts in the heart, then moves to the head,
and is ultimately consummated in the act itself. Jesus was talking about
killing sin where it is born, in the heart.
I get emails daily from people, young and old, asking how "far" they can go
with a boyfriend or girlfriend. I often remind them how the Bible says we
are to run from temptation. Listen, if you are trying to find "the line",
you have already crossed it. You are only playing mind-games with yourself.
It is like the moth that flies near the light. Ultimately, the moth gets
too close and is killed. You have to stop sin at its root, in the heart.
Once you let it go from your heart to your head, it is already too late.
Once you let it leave your head and actually start to act out the sin, your
are done.
Let me explain why fornication is wrong in very real, practical terms.
First, it is a perversion of God's plan for sex between a man and woman.
God's plan was for one man, one woman, for one lifetime. Sex is part of that
relationship between a man and woman. When you have sex outside of that
special union, you are opening up very special, intimate emotions that just
don't work outside of marriage. It is a very special part of the marriage
experience, and by perverting that plan, you cheapen it and compromise it,
and it is never as special as God intended it to be. Of course, in addition
to that side of the fornication issue, is the reality of sexually-
transmitted disease. That is a very real by-product or consequence of this
sinful activity. Then you always have the possibility of the woman getting
pregnant. Again, this opens the door to a plethora of consequences from
abortion, to having a child out of wedlock, to two people who God never
intended to be married getting married for all the wrong reasons, which
almost always ends badly for both people, to any number of other
consequences that can dramatically change your life. THERE ARE
ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS...CONSEQUENCES FOR SINFUL ACTIVITY. At some level
you will have to deal with the consequences, if you choose to be involved in
fornication.
This issue perfectly illustrates the choices we have. If we choose to do it
our way, give in to our physical urges and engage in this sinful activity,
not only do we pay a very high price for choosing to rebel against God's
plan, but the fact is, what we get for that choice is very little. I can
personally attest that it is not in any way, shape or form worth the price
you have to pay. However, if we obey God and do it His way, this can be one of
life's great blessings. Sex is NOT bad. God created it. Enjoyed in the
context God created it to be experienced, it is wonderful. You see my
friend, God gave us each free will. We can choose to do it our way and deal
with the consequences of our rebellion, or do it God's way and know the
blessings of obeying Him. Often, the blessings we seek in this life are
there for us if we will simply be faithful and obedient. We hold the key
to many of our blessings by simply being obedient and doing it God's way,
instead of rebelling and trying to do it our way.
I love you, and care about you very much. I know this is a difficult issue
for many of you, and many are in the midst of struggling with it right now.
God's timing is always perfect, and it is NO ACCIDENT you are reading these
words today. God is clearly speaking to you. Again, it is your choice. I
can assure you that as long as you live in disobedience, in rebellion, and
continue to sin in this area, you will continue to struggle, have to deal
with the various consequences of this sinful activity, and it will keep you
from the close, intimate daily relationship with Christ that He wants to have
with you. For those in this battle with fornication today, this is for you:
"You are in a battle. To win a battle, you must have a battle plan. Pray,
sit down, and let God give you a plan you can faithfully work at each day.
Then you need someone you can be accountable to on a daily basis. You
can't win this fight alone. You need someone to stand with you and to hold
you accountable. Lastly, you need the strength you can only get from God.
That comes from your daily relationship through prayer and the Word, and from
being in church and finding ways to serve the Lord. All of this working
together will help you overcome this battle and see victory. I will stand
with you and be praying. He is able!!!
I will be praying for you today. I know for many this is a major bondage in
your life. With the strength God can provide and making it a priority, you
can overcome it and see victory. From my own life I can tell you this. If
you listen to God and do it His way, it not only works, but it is incredible.
Why settle for the scraps this world offers, when we can enjoy the feast our
God has prepared for us. I will be praying.
