Sex in the church...

From the beginning of the Christian faith, sex has been a major issue in the church.  Many either fail to, or refuse to, recognize that this uncomfortable subject has great consequences when it comes to our faith and our effectiveness with the gospel.  In the history of the church there have been several major world wide church councils.  The council of Jerusalem which met around 50 AD was forced to deal with the issue of sex because sexual immorality had become an issue for the believers of the early church. While this was not the main focus of the council of Jerusalem they did say the following.

Acts 15:20 NIV Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

Sexual immorality like it or not has been a part of the church since it's origin.  This constant battle rages in the flesh of both men and women who must "learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable" (1 Thessalonians 4:4 NIV).  When we pretend that sexual sins are not a temptation that the devil uses against Christians, we open ourselves and our churches to an even grater extent and become more vulnerable to such attacks.  However, when we deal with the issue openly, biblically, and honestly, we find freedom, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and hope of a better future in the arms of our loving savior.  May God give each believer and each church the boldness necessary to confront the sexual sins of our day as the Apostles did in theirs. Below are some verses that show not only how prevalent sexual immorality was in the early church, but also how boldly the Apostles confronted such sin.

Some people like to squelch the debate by saying "all the church does is judge me! :-("   Rest assured this debate has never been about personal judgment against individuals.  Instead it is about the judgment that comes with all sin. We must speak the truth in love, in our efforts to help one another become all that God has created us to be.  While sexual sin is listed in all of the scriptures below, note that many other sins are as well.  Furthermore, all sins carry the same punishment of death according to God's word (Romans 6:23).  Sexual sins are not any worse than any other.  The problem is many today preach against deceit, hatred, idolatry, rage, drunkenness, and greed.  Far fewer however are willing to stand against sexual immorality.  While this is an uncomfortable subject it is necessary that we stand together and defeat this evil once and for all. If you struggle with this issue and would like to receive accountability and help to defeat this issue in your life please email us.  Of course your confidentiality will be respected.    

Ephesians 5:3–20 NIV   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. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:19–26 NIV the acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1 Corinthians 5:1–5 NIV It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:9–20 NIV 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 adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. 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. 12 “Everything is permissible for me” — but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” — but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food” — but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.