TERM

PAPER
Submitted by:
Mary Ann M. Vanzuela

Submitted to:
Chester Adad
Theme: Fornication

I. Introduction

The consensus of modern dictionaries states that fornication is consensual sexual

intercourse between people who aren't married to one another. This encompasses
adultery and all forms of pre-marital sex.

But then, what's the correct meaning of fornication in the Bible?

The Bible doesn't leave it to believers to figure out what sexual ethics to keep and how
purity should be observed. As early as the chronicles by Moses of Hebrew interaction
and purification procedures, fornication is mentioned in reference to prostitution. To add
more, Fornication was initially used to signify idolatry or spiritual prostitution in heathen
worship.

In the New Testament, there was rampant immorality in the early church at Corinth.
Paul calls it in 1 Corinthians 5:1 as immorality that’s not practiced by even the gentiles.

"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is
not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife" - 1
Corinthians 5:1

This was a case that was up before the Church. This was not just a rumor that was
going around. This case was common knowledge. The Apostle is using a strong
language here. He is dealing with a very grievous sin. The congregation in Corinth were
compromising with this evil.

We need to recognize that flagrant sin in the Church must be dealt with. The Lord Jesus
had given detailed instructions in Matthew 18:15-17, "Moreover if thy brother shall
trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee
one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established. And if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the church : but if he neglect
to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
They never carry out this procedure in Corinth. This was a case of compromise with
evil. This case was an acknowledged situation which had no need of proof nor a matter
of hearsay. Paul would never bring up something like this if it had simply been a rumor.

II. Main Body

An idol is something more than a statue. It's a God-substitute. It's something - anything -
that we value higher than God. In order to cling to such an idol, we make a trade.
Our sexual behavior reveals who or what rules our lives (Romans 1:18-29). Sexual sin
is idolatry because it puts our desires in the place of God.
Those who turn from God and embrace a God-substitute suffer terrible loss. Why?
Because they were made to find joy in God, not in the substitute. They swap God's
present and future blessings for something they can immediately see, taste, or feel. But
that something never satisfies.

I would like to say something to our present generation. Living together without being
married is sin in God's sight. It makes no difference what public opinion says about it or
how many people were practicing it. The Word of God calls this sin and there is no other
way one can look at it. It is not a questionable sin as far as the Word of God is
concerned.

For I very, as absent in body, but present in Spirit, have judged already, as
though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my
spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit
may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

-1 Corinthians 5:3-5

Paul is telling them to meet together and if this brother will not forsake his sin, they are
to deliver him over to Satan, that is a tremendous statement. And apparently, he meant
it.

According to the Bible, there are no contemporary circumstances that can change,
negate, alter, or in any way, reduce God's condemnation of the sin of fornication.
The frequency of its commission doesn’t make the sin of fornication lawful in God's
eyes, either.

Romans 1:29 uses the phrase ‘filled with fornication’ while 2 Timothy 2:22 warns against
using youthful passions as an excuse for fornication.

The apostle Paul preferred that believers marry than to burn in hell in 1 Corinthians 7:9.
Many accept it as the norm when they see promiscuity in young or old people, a sin that
damns the soul.

The epistles call fornication a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Again, Paul
reiterates to believers in Ephesians 5:3-6 that those found guilty of fornication will face
God’s wrath.

Scripture in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Revelation 21:8 makes it clear that fornicators
won't inherit the kingdom of God.

Fornication may be appealing to the flesh, yet in view of God's word, it's an act of sin
that drags stained souls straight to hell. Society has glorified fornication in all forms,
integrating it into law, media, and culture.

Application

As a believer, you shouldn't conform and fall trap to the grievous sin of fornication. Not
only will your body decay from sexually transmitted diseases, but your eternal soul is
also in jeopardy without repentance.

An author named Randy Alcorn, wrote on one of his books, the principles so we could
avoid sinning and committing fornication. The list goes like this:

*Guard your mind.

-We must cultivate our hearts and minds with what is godly and pure. We may not avoid
all sexual stimuli, but we can keep them from taking roots in us.

*Share regularly to those Who will Hold You accountable.

-In the process, we often told each other where our spiritual lives were at and the
struggles for which we needed prayer and help.
*Be quick to Confess and Repent.
-When we sin, we must confess it immediately. Otherwise, we'll become desensitized to
it and be able to go one step further before our dulled conscience objects.

*Change your behavior.

-We must actively resist and refuse to give in to the evil desires and fantasies that push
themselves upon us. All evil resides and is cultivated in the heart, and outward behavior
is the product of this inner evil. That means we need a transplant, a mind
reprogramming, a change in our inner beginnings.

In addition, we can build our relationship with Christ by praying, reading God's Word
and meditating on it, reading great books, listening to Scripture and audio books and
teachings from God's Word. We need to fill our lives with the best things, those that
glorify God. We will see how satisfying they are, it will be easier to resist the things that
tempt and destroy us.

A person leading another into fornication is preaching to them, to themselves, and the
world a different gospel that's not of Christ.

The Bible states that God can't require more from you than you're capable. 1st
Thessalonians 4:3 urges believers to do the will of God, even your sanctification, by
abstaining from fornication.

Conclusion

Do you want God's will? Then embrace purity. Learn to control your body. Refuse to
take sexual advantage of anyone. In doing so, you will avoid God's punishment and
taste the joy of a life pleasing to Jesus.

You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with
your body.
-1 Corinthians 6:19-20

We are bought and paid for. At what price? The blood of Christ He shed on the cross.
We are His by creation, and again by redemption. He has every right to tell us what to
do with our mind and body.
Bibliography

Sexual Temptation - Randy Alcorn

The Purity Principles - Randy Alcorn

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fornication&client=ms-android-huawei-
rev1&ei

https://www.state-journal.com/sponsored/what-is-the-correct-meaning-of-
fornication-in-the-bible-neverthirsty/article_a789107c-03de-11eb-864c-
c3b93647869c.html#:~:text=According%20to%201%20Corinthians%205,in
%201%20Corinthians%206%3A9.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fornication

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fornication.html