“For this is God’s will, your sanctification: that you keep away from sexual immorality, that each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
God designed sex, and he designed it to be beautiful. It wasn’t an accident or something he had to figure out how to manage after the fact. Sex was his idea, created to be an act of worship within the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. When we live out God’s design for sexuality, we reflect the image of our covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. Two people, the same yet different, united as one, keeping their promises to each other. This is a picture of the Trinity and a testimony to the watching world that God is faithful.
Sexual immorality, then, isn’t just breaking a rule. It’s distorting the image of God and rejecting the Spirit of Christ within you. Every sexual thought, desire, or act outside of marriage is non-consensual to the Holy Spirit living in you. That’s a sobering reality. But here’s the good news: you have the power of self-control in you. Practically, this means you need to keep away from temptation. Don’t flirt with the fire. You know which person makes you feel different than everyone else. You know what happens when you’re alone and tired, scrolling on your phone. You know which shows lead your mind down paths it shouldn’t go. Take the long way around. Choose the paper book. Turn off the screen. This isn’t legalism. This is wisdom that protects your joy and helps you thrive in God’s presence.
Reflect:
- What specific temptations do you need to “keep away from” rather than seeing how close you can get without getting burned?
- How does understanding sex as a reflection of God’s covenant-keeping nature change your perspective on sexual purity?
- Confess any areas where you’ve compromised sexually, knowing there is no condemnation in Christ. Ask God for the courage and wisdom to set up boundaries that protect your holiness.
