Sexual purity encompasses abstinence from all sexual perversions, intimacy outside marriage, deliberate sensual arousals, impure thoughts and gratification of the desire for intimacy with the opposite sex. The Bible is very explicit and unequivocal about the need for single people to stay sexually pure at all times. However, in contemporary times, many deny the sanctity of sex and rebel against God’s established order of marriage as the only institution within which such intimacy must occur.
This deviation is often driven by worldviews that influence the thought processes of a particular generation or dispensation. Currently, postmodern theories such as hedonism encourage the pursuit of pleasure as the ultimate in life without reference to God’s standards, societal rules and culture. It is sad to note that, some youth have been carried away by this ungodly wave of sexual misconduct. However, this is not a new phenomenon. In the New Testament, Apostle Paul had to address similar issues of sexual perversion and permissive culture in some of the cities he had planted churches.
In the Corinthian church, the Apostle Paul had to orient them towards proper sexual conduct due to the syncretic outlook of some of the members on issues regarding proper sexual conduct. The city of Corinth was notorious for sexual immorality. Pornea translated as sexual immorality was not frowned upon in Corinth. Issues of consensual sexual relations, prostitution and homosexuality were common and therefore, did not constitute a big deal for the people of Corinth. There were temples for false gods which housed prostitutes where all kinds of idolatry and sexual misconduct occurred. Thus, to Corinthianise had become the proverbial expression of a sexually immoral life.
Having been born again, some within the Corinthian church wanted to still persist in this act without qualms. They considered freedom in Christ as a leeway to unbridled sexual expression with their bodies once they were not under the obligation of the law. In dealing with this deception, Paul quoted popular sayings within their society that expressed their worldview about sexual purity. One of them was everything is permissible. To correct this worldview, Paul emphasized that though everything was permissible, all things were not expedient for the new creation and therefore, the need to ensure that their freedom in Christ would not make them slaves to sin.
Another saying among the Corinthians which reinforced their sexually immoral culture, was food for the stomach and stomach for food. This saying projected the idea that, desire for sex is part of nature’s instincts and thus, no different from appetite for food. In other words, shouldn’t we treat sexual desire the same way and seek to be satisfied, just as we eat when we are hungry? Paul in his defense of sexual purity rejected and condemned these comparisons.
Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. “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 – 1 Corinthians 12-13
Furthermore, Paul indicated that though the stomach was meant for food, the body was much more than the stomach. He exhorted them not to reduce the body to a tool for sensual gratification because the body was not created for the purpose of sexual immorality. Rather, they were to see their bodies as instruments of glory and the temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Being a temple of the Holy Spirit meant, that, the body was to be kept holy without any form of uncleanliness. Finally, Paul intimated that sexual sin was no ordinary transgression to toy with. He pointed to them that he who sins sexually does not only commit a transgression but sins against their own body.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body – 1 Corinthians 6:18
Much of what is going on today is akin to what pertained in Corinth. The environment and popular culture of today seem to be accepting of sexual immorality and all forms of perversions. When a man cheats on his wife, people say it is the nature of men to have extra marital affairs. Also, some people in premarital relationships rationalize sex as essential for young adults committed to each other. Some go ahead to advocate that premarital sex is necessary to ascertain sexual compatibility of both parties before marriage. When young people are disciplined for engaging in premarital sex, the decision is considered draconian by some people because to them they just had sex as adults. Also, the virtue of chastity is widely ignored while those who choose to remain chaste are mocked. All these constitute subtle pressure to force the Christian youth to bow to the image of sexual perversity. The question is, SHALL WE BOW TO THIS PRESSURE?
God’s word about fornication and sexual perversion has not changed. His standards are still same irrespective of one’s culture, age or generation. In view of this, sexual purity must be upheld by all Christians. Refusing to bow may come with threats of punishment, feelings of being odd, mockery and sometimes moments of physical distress. However, like, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, the Christian youth must be bold and refrain from bowing to any form of pressure to be sexually immoral irrespective of the consequences. There is no shame in staying pure. You are not alone. There are thousands of youth who have not bowed to Baal. If you choose to remain chaste, you are in good company and the power of God is available to help you. WE SHALL NOT BOW.
Written by Pastor Joseph Owusu-Boateng (PENSA Traveling Secretary – Sunyani Sector)
