Sexual Immorality

25 Jun

We live in a world of subtle sexual innuendoes - like subliminal advertising that feeds false information into our sub-conscience. Billboards advertising sin-filled sex shops, and programs that promote adultery and promiscuity. They are all part of a system that is designed to first get us to accept the unacceptable, then to normalise it, then to celebrate it - to the point where we are all living in sexual immorality that we can’t even recognize. The Ephesians faced the same challenges, if not worse. The temple of Artemis promoted temple prostitution, drunken orgies in the streets, and pornographic art that was built into every aspect of society. In this morning’s scripture, Paul is addressing the dire concern of sexual immorality with the Ephesians and gives them some guidelines to overcome it. Through this scripture, we can overcome our own challenges with sexual immorality.

Scripture

Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (4) Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Bible Study Questions

Sexual immorality, impurity, and greed

Paul doesn’t mince his words, he comes right out with it and tells us in Ephesians 5:3 that sexual immorality, impurity, and greed must be put away from us. What is your understanding of these three words, and what they mean together?

Ephesians 5:3 ESV But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ezekiel 16:26 ESV You also played the whore with the Egyptians, your lustful neighbors, multiplying your whoring, to provoke me to anger.

Romans 1:24-27 ESV Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, (25) because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (26) For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; (27) and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Colossians 3:5-7 ESV Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. (6) On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (7) In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

I’m okay, I don’t do that stuff

When we consider some of the Bible’s harsh teachings on sexual immorality and impurity, it’s easy to think that because we don’t do the really bad stuff, we’re okay. Right? No, not really. Anything that you seek after that results in sexual arousal is sexual immorality. When last did you become aroused by a movie, TV show, magazine, sports star, or social media post?

Matthew 5:28 ESV But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

God hates sexual immorality

God hates sexual immorality. When God’s people broke the first of the ten commandments and worshipped other gods, He uses sexual terminology to describe their apostasy. Why do you think God hates sexual immorality?

Leviticus 17:7 ESV So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

Matthew 19:4-6 ESV He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, (5) and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? (6) So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Isaiah 5:20 ESV Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

No place for the saints

Paul warns us that sexual immorality of any kind is not acceptable for Christians. Why?

Ephesians 5:3 ESV But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 1:4-6 ESV even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (5) he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, (6) to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Filth, foolish talk, and crude jokes

In verse 4, Paul explains that out of the heart of the sexually impure comes filth, foolish talk and crude jokes. These show disdain for the purpose for which God created sex, a gift between husband and wife. What is your understanding, and to what extent are you exposed to, or indulging in filth, foolish talk, or crude jokes?

Ephesians 5:4 ESV Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

James 1:21 ESV Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Titus 3:9 ESV But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

Ecclesiastes 10:13 ESV The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

The antidote

Paul closes this morning’s scripture by saying that these things should be replaced with thanksgiving. It might seem strange and out of place on our first read-through. But really, thanksgiving is the antidote to sexual immorality. How do you think this works?

Ephesians 5:4 ESV Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Philippians 4:6 ESV do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Colossians 3:17 ESV And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The good news applied to you

The cure for sexual immorality is a life lived in gratitude. Gratitude for your earthly blessings, but more importantly that you have been given the gift of salvation, that you can return to your Father in Heaven if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. When we realise this, we are filled with the greatest of gratitude. Take time to be grateful, and start living a life of thankfulness, so that you can flee sexual immorality.

Martin Lamberti