Christians are to ‘flee from sexual immorality’. When we sense temptation, we are to do what’s necessary to get out of the situation.
‘Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.’ (1 Corinthian 6:18)
Later in this book, Paul writes,
‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
Sexual sin is attractive. It promises pleasure and delivers pleasure in many ways. Sam Storms wrote,
‘We sin because we enjoy the pleasure it brings. We sin because it feels good. We sin because it brings a thrill to our bodies, fleeting satisfaction to our souls and excitement to the banality and boredom of our everyday lives. We sin because we believe the lie that the pleasure it brings, though passing, is more satisfying than the pleasure obedience brings. Thus the power of temptation is the false promise that sin will make me happier than God can.’
FLEE AWAY FROM ARROGANCE
We are all vulnerable to this. we are warned that ‘If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!’ Arrogance is the first step toward falling and so fleeing sexual immorality begins with running toward humility.
FLEE AT THE FIRST SPARK
A fire starts with the first spark. It’s easy to put out a fire at first, but, if left, will become an uncontainable inferno. Likewise, flee at the first whiff of the smoke of sexual provocation.
FLEE TOWARD FELLOWSHIP
Unfortunately, the people who most need to heed today’s warning are not reading this and are not listening to biblical teaching regularly! Fellowship is protective. We can encourage and warn one another when we are in church community. Fleeing requires that we flee toward our church family.
OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE
I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s important that you engage with the Bible yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of this text.
‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)
I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).
1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?
2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?
3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?
4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
Have you ever done something that you didn't want to do and yet found it to be rewarding?
3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday, we continued with our series 'Becoming Love' from the book of 1 Corinthians. This church has been infected by false teachers who are teaching that sexual sin is okay. Love for God and others requires that we pursue godly sexual relationships.
i) THE CORINTHIAN ATTITUDE
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.' (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)
Some were teaching that they are free to do whatever they liked sexually. Paul is correcting their attitude to sexual freedom. Freedom is using our body as the Lord intended.
ii) MEMBERS OF CHRIST
'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 whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.' (1 Corinthians 6:14-17)
Paul reminds them that their bodies are important to God. God will raise them and renew them. They are also united to Jesus by the Spirit and so it is anathema to unite our bodies with the Lord and with a prostitute or anyone else in sexual sin.
iii) FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY
'Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples 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 honour God with your bodies.' (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
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