Flee Fornication

UNION GROVE CHURCH OF CHRIST, CLEVELAND TN.

"FLEE FORNICATION" (1)

God’s charge to all Christians is, "Flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18). On the other hand, Satan says that it is alright to fornicate. You see, regardless of the topic, the devil’s advice and God’s are never the same.

Of the 27 books of the New Testament, fornication or fornicators are mentioned in 14 of them. That means that this topic is mentioned in more New Testament books than baptism is! Sounds important, does it not? Let us understand from the outset that in the Bible and in God’s sight there is no such thing as "good fornication." There are some Bible terms that mean something desirable in one context, but carry with them an undesirable meaning in others. But "fornication" is not such a term for in the Bible there is never anything good associated with it.

Just what does fornication mean? It is translated from the Greek word "porneia," which is defined as "illicit sexual intercourse in general" [Thayer, pages 532,533]. In the New King James version, this word is often translated as "sexual immorality." Notice that the basic definition speaks of "illicit" sexual activity. "Illicit" means unlawful, so fornication is sexual activity that is not permitted by the will or law of God.

Are there physical or sexual relations between human beings that God does approve? Hebrews 13:4 reads, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers [sexually immoral, NKJV] and adulterers God will judge." It is obvious from this statement that only in a marriage that is approved by the Lord do a man and woman have the right to have sexual relations with one another (see also 1 Corinthians 7:2-4). Any sexual relations between a person and someone who is not his true mate in the sight of God is fornication. That includes such physical relations that take place before marriage, after one is already married, adultery, homosexuality, and lesbianism.

Is a message about fornication popular today? Not with many people. Yet, it is a topic about which we must constantly teach. Why is that? Once again, look at the number of Bible warnings to the first century Christians about fornication! In today’s society we see or hear about fornication all the time. Where? On or in TV, movies, music, magazines, and inappropriate jokes. You are right, people generally do not call it "fornication," but that is exactly what is taking place. Is it right or wrong? Let the Bible answer. We need to constantly teach our people, including children and members of all ages, reminding them of what the Bible says about this topic.

What Does The New Testament Teach About It?

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication" (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders … All these evil things come from within, and defile the man" (Mark 7:21-23). Note that Jesus describes "fornications" as "evil." Thus, we are to "flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18).

It is a "work of the flesh," which if a person practices without repentance, cannot inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).

Those who practice fornication are "children of disobedience" who can expect the wrath of God to be upon them (Colossians 3:5,6).

It is a sin that cannot be tolerated in any form. "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becometh saints" (Ephesians 5:3).

Some Examples Of Fornication

We recognize that fornication is not something new to the 21^st century. We read about people committing fornication in the days of the Old Testament: The inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah gave themselves over to fornication (Jude 7); Judah, the son of Jacob, committed fornication with the wife of his son, Tamar (Genesis 38); David and Bathsheba also engaged in illicit relations (2 Samuel 11).

Examples of fornication are not lacking in the New Testament: Some members of the church in Corinth had been fornicators in the past, but upon their conversion they had been washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Corinthians 6:9-11); Paul also wrote, "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles …" (1 Corinthians 5:1); Later, by inspiration the apostle Paul wrote this stern warning, "And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed" (2 Cor. 12:21).

There is an ongoing universal epidemic of fornication in our day. We see it among common people, national leaders, and those living in unscriptural marriages. Sadly, the church is not exempt from such ungodliness. How it hurts the influence of a congregation when a preacher, bishop or deacon is involved in this sin! Do not think that such does not happen. The list is lengthy already, and growing rapidly of those "leaders" in the kingdom who have given up a life of faithful service to Christ to "live in" fornication (Colossians 3:7). We find no happiness in admitting that such goes on, but the fact of its occurrence cannot be denied. Brothers and sisters, fornication is serious business, because it will keep those who practice it out of heaven!

Some Possible Consequences Of Fornication

Physical ones – Those who practice sexual immorality take the risk of contacting dangerous diseases or of the woman becoming pregnant. In the eyes of the worldly-minded, this is the number one concern: do whatever is necessary to avoid these inconveniences, but still go ahead and act without restraint. A child of God recognizes the potential physical consequences of illicit sex, but he must look to areas of far greater significance.

Mental ones – One who has committed fornication before marriage, then later obeys the gospel and marries a faithful member of the church, will go to his marriage with the mental scar that he has not kept himself unspotted for his mate. Mental scars that stem from fornication also can come to those people who commit fornication when they are already married, and as a result their mate divorces them. True, a fornicator can repent and be forgiven, but that may not restore the broken home that the fornicator had a big hand in destroying, nor will it cause one to forget that he or she "blew it."

Marital ones – Our Lord said, "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9). These words indicate that one who is guilty of fornication and is subsequently divorced by his mate because of such, does not have the right to remarry. Why? Because "Whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Thus, in some cases committing fornication may cause a person to forfeit his/her right before God to be married.

Spiritual ones on the earth – Those who fornicate fail to abstain from that which God forbids (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Consequently, a non-christian who commits fornication cannot be forgiven until he repents of this and obeys the gospel. A fornicating child of God forfeits his fellowship with God as long as he refuses to repent of such lawlessness. Further, a fornicator in the church also forfeits his fellowship with the church. The Holy Spirit’s message in 1 Corinthians 5 is too plain to miss! The charge to the saints in Corinth was, "… not to company with fornicators … with such an one no not to eat … put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (5:9,11,13). Brethren, rather than make emotional appeals and try to come up with some way "around" the apostle’s inspired instruction, we need to find the faith and courage to put into practice what is written: no fellowship with fornicators!

Eternal ones – As we noted above, fornicators cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21). Good people, it does not get more serious than that! Revelation 21:8 further declares that fornicators "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Hell will be the eternal destiny of those fornicators who have not been washed by the blood of the Lamb. We do not know how we can say it any stronger! Let us be not deceived. Having sexual relations with any person who is not our true mate will have serious consequences.

-- Roger D. Campbell