by Phillip E. Stuckey
Synopsis: Since adultery and fornication violate God's will for humanity, let us heed His counsel and flee from these sins.
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous (Heb. 13:4, ESV).
In his closing words to the church in Thessalonica, Paul exhorted them to faithfulness in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:12-22). Everything should be tested by the word of God. After careful examination, faithful brethren will hold fast to what is good and abstain from every form or kind of evil (1 Thess. 5:22; cf. Act 15:20). Saints must resist temptation and turn away from sin. The New Testament oft warns against sexual immorality. Sexual desire is a strong temptation for many, manifesting itself in various forms. In this article, let us consider the necessity of abstaining from adultery and fornication.
Jesus warned about these sins in His earthly ministry (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Mark 7:21). They were an issue as the gospel went out to the Gentiles (Acts 15:20, 29). They impacted the early church (1 Cor. 5:1; 6:13; 7:2). Individuals continue to struggle with these sins. Sadly, Christians are not immune to these temptations, so we would do well to heed Paul's words and be on our guard.
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines fornication as "consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other." The Greek word porneia stands behind our English translations of "fornication" or "sexual immorality." It is a broad term that signifies "unlawful sexual intercourse" (BDAG, 854). From the standpoint of Scripture, the only lawful sexual intercourse is between one man and one woman joined together by God in marriage (Gen. 2:24-25; Matt. 19:9; Heb. 13:4). Thus, sexual relations with anyone or anything else is fornication.
Adultery is a closely related term. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines adultery as "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband." Adultery is a form of fornication, though it is sometimes differentiated from it. Any sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse or with someone who is someone else's spouse is adultery.
Questions about the meaning of adultery and fornication are frequently asked. The more technology changes, the more people struggle to define these terms and the acts that constitute them. Some broad definitions include even lustful thoughts, while others are so narrow in their definition as to exclude some forms of homosexuality. Generally speaking, when we consider how these terms are used in Scripture, fornication and adultery identify sexual relations that involve physical contact.
Having a good understanding of our subject, we next ask, "What is wrong with it, or why should we avoid it?" While some in our society still find adultery repugnant and something that should be avoided, many have no issue with fornication. In popular entertainment and the mainstream media, it is seen as something that should be desired, embraced, and celebrated.
Nevertheless, the Bible says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality" (1 Thess. 4:3, ESV). God did not make human beings for the purpose of engaging in adultery or fornication. Why were we created? God wants us to reflect His image and be holy, to share a relationship with Him and with one another without sin. Thus, adultery and fornication are contrary to God's purpose for our body (1 Cor. 6:13). Those that engage in them and do not repent will be lost for all eternity (Gal. 5:19-21; Heb. 13:4). Since these acts oppose the will of God, we should abstain from fornication and adultery.
In addition to the eternal consequences of committing adultery and fornication, one should also keep away from these because of the harm done to others and oneself when we engage in sexual sin (1 Cor. 6:18). To look upon and use another person to satisfy our sexual appetites outside of God's chosen and created arrangement is not a loving act, but is, in fact, unloving and hateful (Rom. 13:10). It desecrates a being that God has made for purity and holiness.
Furthermore, sexual immorality carries long-lasting emotional and physical consequences. Unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, destroyed marriages, broken homes, and shattered lives are usually found in the wake of these sins. Adultery and fornication are sins against the Creator who made us, sins against another person, and sins against ourselves. If we yield to temptation and commit these sins, we only gain passing pleasure. Destructive and devastating consequences befall every soul that gives in to such enticement (Heb. 11:24). For the sake of God, others, and ourselves, we should abstain from adultery and fornication.
To underestimate the danger and temptation of sexual sin is unwise. Satan is cunning and works hard to lure us from the Lord (1 Pet. 5:8). Being aware of the devil's devices, may we (with the Lord's help) implement a strategy to resist him (Jas. 4:7).
What can we do to avoid the trap of adultery or fornication? We need to let God continue to transform and renew our minds (Rom. 12:1-2). Studying, meditating, and praying about God's purpose for us in Christ is the foundation for defense against every temptation. Jesus gave His life to redeem us from every transgression, including sexual sin (Rom. 5:8-9). He gave His life so that all would have eternal life (John 3:16, 36). God values every person and desires all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Let us strive to see ourselves and others through God's eyes and not look upon one another with selfish desires to satisfy our lusts. If we genuinely love God, the Lord, and our fellow man, then we should appreciate the fact that adultery and fornication are not His will for us or anyone else (1 Thess. 4:3-8; Matt. 22:37-40).
In addition to cultivating a mind that loves God and others, let us strive to preserve the sanctity of our mind and body from ungodly lust. We must be discerning about what we watch, read, and hear. We should make a covenant with our eyes to not look upon or be entertained by things that stir up ungodly lusts in ourselves or others (Job 31:1; Ps. 101:3; Phil. 4:8). We should make a covenant to abstain from sexual relations until we are joined in marriage by God. If we are already married, we should honor the covenant we made with God and our spouse and allow no opportunity to betray them. Jesus impresses us with the need to be willing to take drastic steps to protect us from sexual sin (Matt. 5:29-30). In the end, the way to avoid these sins is to "Just say no!" Instead of defiling our soul and body and that of others, let us flee from these sins and allow no opportunity to engage in them (Rom. 13:13-14; 1 Cor. 6:18; Gen. 39:11-12).
Sexual desire is a strong temptation for many; adultery and fornication are real threats. Instead of being blinded by the world's indifference to these sins, we must arm ourselves with God's perspective. Adultery and fornication are not acts of love, but hate. The Bible says, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God" (1 Thess. 4:3-5, ESV). Rather than flirt with these sins, let us heed God's command and flee from them (1 Cor. 6:18).
An excellent resource for overcoming addictions (including sexual) is the lecture Art Adams presented at the 2019 Truth Lectures. Go here for more info: https://bit.ly/350gUpM
BDAG = Arndt, William, et al. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
