Sexual Sins
Sexual sins are as old as the Bible, but today’s glorification of sex hides the tragedy and deep hurt behind these sins. And this is because today’s culture exalts sexual immorality, so people continue to spiral down into sexual perversion of all kinds.
But pull back the deceptive curtain, and you will see the misery and devastating consequences of sexual sins. And this includes not only broken families but thousands of victims of sexual abuse. Sadly, God never intended those He created to live like this, but too many reject Him. So, instead of pleasing God, they live for themselves and their own set of rules, which are always arbitrary.
But God is still on the throne, and as our Creator, He gets to set the moral laws for the universe that never change. So, in the beginning, God created sex for marriage between a man and a woman. And because God is good and He loves us, His way is always best for us. Therefore, when we dismiss the will of God, we only hurt ourselves and others.
Jesus taught: “At the beginning, the Creator made them male and female,” and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave His father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6
The Consequences of Sexual Sins
What benefits have people received by dismissing God’s will for marriage? Sadly, as you will see, nothing good comes from sinning against God.
Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise! For example, the American Sexual Health Association estimates that over 14 million people acquire HPV each year. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. In addition, every year, there are almost 3 million new cases of Chlamydia, many of which are in adolescents and young adults.
Pornography encourages sexual sins because it objectifies women and men and tears apart married relationships. And because the sexual desires of those who view pornography are insatiable and unrealistic, more perverted acts are needed, such as using children. As a result, sex trafficking has increased so dramatically that at least 20.9 million adults and children are bought and sold worldwide for sexual exploitation.
Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17
The World Applauds the Sin God Hates
Adultery, sexual intercourse with a person, not their spouse, shatters the mutual commitment of married partners, and as a result, families are destroyed. Likewise, fornication, sexual intercourse between people not married, will never fulfill a person’s deepest need to be accepted and genuinely loved.
So, because of sexual sins, not only adults but our children have reaped the whirlwind of our permissive attitudes. Consequently, now children are sexting, and the U.S. has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies. Therefore, everyone loses when sexual immorality is accepted.
Although they knew God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve those who practice them. Romans 1:32
The Sexual Sin of Adultery
The Bible is the Word of God written to you. And in its pages, God reveals who He is and what His will is so that you can follow Him by faith. For example, John 8 tells us about Jesus and a woman caught in the act of adultery by some religious leaders. Can you even imagine the scene?
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now, what do you say?” John 8:3-5
Jesus did not answer right away, but then He said:
“If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7
The men were cut to the quick by the truth of Jesus’ words. And we, too, feel the men’s uncomfortable silence as they search their sinful hearts. And then the grip on their stones began to loosen. At last, the men walked away one by one until only Jesus was left standing with the woman.
Accordingly, we, too, must feel the conviction of God’s Word so we can confess our sins and receive God’s forgiveness in Christ.
Jesus said, Go and Sin No More
Jesus asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said, “Then neither do I condemn you.” Jesus declared. John 8:10-11
Jesus brought life to the poor woman’s soul by covering her guilt and shame with His love and compassion. And don’t we love this about Jesus? Unfortunately, the storyline often ends here, but it is not the whole story. Therefore, many who hear it do not know that Jesus also loved the woman enough to tell her the truth.
Jesus declared to the woman: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:11
Some versions say: “Go and sin no more.” So then, Jesus never told the woman that her sin was okay. And this is because the woman did sin by breaking one of God’s Ten Commandments not to commit adultery. But Jesus came to save her from her sins, not condemn her. However, when Jesus comes again, He will judge all who refused to believe in Him and receive His salvation.
All Have Sinned Against God
Those who only emphasize the love of Jesus leave out the rest of what He said, “Go and sin no more.” And why is this? Because if someone only highlights Jesus’ love, then there is no accountability for sin, and they can live however they want. But both the woman and the men sinned against God.
The woman sinned against God by committing adultery (Exodus 20:14). And the men broke God’s law that required the stoning of both parties to adultery, not just the woman (Leviticus 20:10). In addition, self-righteous pride filled the men’s hearts. But Jesus saw into their mind, soul, and spirit, and He sees into ours as well.
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1
The Bible says that all have sinned. Therefore, we are never so ugly as when we judge the sins of others yet refuse to see our sins.
The World Hates God’s Truth about Sin
Jesus taught: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28
Parents discipline their children because they know that what is wrong will hurt them. Likewise, God gave His righteous laws to the Jews because He loved them, but they rebelled against Him instead. Then, Jesus came and said that God condemns even the sins of the heart. And in response, the religious leaders plotted His death.
Jesus said: The world hates me because I testify that what it does is evil. John 7:7
In the Bible, God describes Himself as both love and truth. So then, the most significant error in Christendom today is to tell others that God is love only. Yet, Jesus loved the adulterous woman enough to tell her the truth: She had sinned against God. And He told her the truth so she might repent and believe in Him as her Savior and Lord. Only God has the power to forgive sin.
No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or knows Him. 1 John 3:6
“Go and sin no more” is seldom taught or preached, but if there is no sin, there is no need for Christ’s death or salvation. So, by faith, faithful followers of Jesus Christ continually confess their sins and live to please Him.
Flee from Sexual Sins
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
God’s love never winks at sin in our lives or evil in the world because God cannot act in a way contrary to His holy character.
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3
All disobedience to God’s Word is sin, and the penalty for sin is death. So, Jesus, who was sinless, willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, and then God raised Him from the dead. Furthermore, when you acknowledge that you have sinned against God and receive Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins, the Holy Spirit indwells you. And as you rely on Him by faith, you can then be obedient to God’s commands.
God’s Will for You is Moral Purity
God makes His will very clear to people who read the Bible. So then, will you believe and obey what He says?
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the unbeliever, who does not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.
The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call you to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
God is holy and entirely without sin. Therefore, He calls His followers to walk by faith in Jesus to put away sin and do what is right.
As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16
Sexual Purity Is Possible
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:26-27
Unbelievers desperately need to see God’s Word lived out by faithful followers of Jesus who believe in God’s mighty power to deliver them from sin.
We have an obligation, but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14
Sexual temptation outside of marriage is powerful, but the power of the Holy Spirit is greater!
Speaking of Jesus: Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
Through faith in Jesus Christ alone, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to put away sin and live for God.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Those Who Love God Hate Sin
Let those who love the Lord hate evil. Psalm 97:10
Beloved of God do not believe the lie that God forgives sin, so He does not care how you live. Because if that were true, then Christ died needlessly.
The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13
Regardless of what the world tells you, sexual sins do hurt others and violate God’s command to love God and love one another. So then, fulfilling sexual gratification outside of marriage is not love! And besides physical consequences, there are also spiritual consequences to sin.
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
There is a remedy for all who want deliverance from their sins. And that is to repent of your sins against Holy God and believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
Jesus is Our Only Savior from Sin
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Only God’s Word tells us that every person born has broken God’s laws and is guilty before Holy God. Perhaps you haven’t sinned like the adulterous woman, but God says there is no one righteous, no not one. Therefore, if you count on being good enough to get into heaven, you are deceived.
God gave His laws to show you your sin, but they have no power to conquer evil. Therefore, every person born needs a Savior, so God provided His only son, Jesus Christ. And because only Jesus fulfilled all of God’s laws, He alone can save you and bring you into a relationship with God. Do You Believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
God’s Love: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son,
God’s Truth: that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (No universal salvation)
God’s Love: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through HimWhoever believes in Him is not condemned,
God’s Truth: But whoever does not believe is condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (Jesus) John 3:16-18
Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
Jesus Forgives Sexual Sins and All Sin
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
The Bible does not say, but I think the adulterous woman became a follower of Jesus. And this is because the Bible says that the kindness of God leads us to repentance. Indeed, it was while this woman was steeped in shame that she experienced the love and forgiveness of Jesus. So, how about you? Have you confessed your sins and received God’s forgiveness in Christ Jesus?
Repent and Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus taught: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19
Neither human effort nor willpower will ever deliver you from your sins. Therefore, only by believing in Jesus Christ alone can you be released from the power and penalty of sin.
Jesus taught: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31-32
So then, if the Spirit of God has convicted you of your sins, don’t ignore Him. Rather, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
God in heaven, I know that I have sinned against you, but I want to make a clean break with sin. And I believe that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead. So, I repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Thank you, heavenly Father, that you receive my prayer of faith and forgive all my sins in Jesus’ name. And in exchange for my sins, you give me eternal life. So, it is in Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
In Christ, You Become a New Creation
And some of you were sexually immoral, adulterers, homosexual offenders, and prostitutes…But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 11
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Bible study for “Sexual Sins”
Week 1: Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:1-30; 20:7-24; Psalm 1:1-1-6; 97:10; Proverbs 5:1-23; 6:20-35; 14:2; Jeremiah 8:12; 9:3; 32:17, 26-27; Matthew 4:17; 5:17-20, 27-28; 31-32; 15:19; 19:4-6, 16-30
Week 2: Mark 7:20-23; Luke 5:31-32; John 1:10-13; 3:16-21; 6:28-29, 40; 7:7; 8:1-11; 14:23-26; 15:5, 18-23; Acts 2:36-41; 16:31; Romans 1:18–32; 2:1-11; 3:9-31; 6:1-2, 9-18, 23; 7:7; 8:1-14; 10:3-4, 8-13; 13:12-14
Week 3: 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, 9-13; 6:9-11, 13-20; 7:1-9; 10:6-13; 2 Corinthians 5:7-10 15, 17, 20-21; Galatians 5:13-21; 6:7-8; Ephesians 4:17-24; 5:3-12; Colossians 3:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Week 4: Hebrews 2:18; 13:4-6; James 1:21-22; 4: 4-5,12, 17; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 2:11-12; 4:1-6; 2 Peter 2:4-10, 3:9-13, 17-18; 1 John 1:8-10; 3:4-10; Jude 1:7; Revelation 9:20-21; 21:5-8; 22:12-15, 17
This is a great teaching. Thank you. The sex thing is always difficult for lots of people in their 30s, like me…it’s always great to hear from the word, specific food for our single and often lonely souls so that we can walk away from sin and temptations…God help us
The only part that I found a bit inaccurate – and thanks to reading blogs and sermons – is the John 3:16 reference. The true Bible says Jesus is God’s Begotten Son, and that’s not the only son. Begotten has more to do with the fact that Jesus is God, and He was God in word before he became flesh… It is not accurate to say Jesus is the only son of God. We are God’s sons and daughters, and co-heirs with Christ. We are God’s children. Jesus is God’s Begotten son…i learned English as an adult. I believe there’s no dictionary that says begotten and only mean the same thing.
I hope you receive it well…and loads of prayer support would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Thank you, Lumkae, for your comment and your question. The John 3:16 verse is quoted directly from the Bible: Jesus is God’s one and only Son. You are correct: Jesus is God and we are not. Jesus has always existed with the Father; we have not. Jesus left heaven to be born as a baby; we did not. Jesus is the Savior of all mankind; we are not. We are God’s children only through faith in Jesus Christ. I hope this helps and I do appreciate your prayers. Suzanne