THE BIBLE AND FORNICATION

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939 E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

 

THE BIBLE AND FORNICATION

Devotional Text: 1 Cor. 6:15-20

Introduction:

The EN English Dictionary defines “fornication” as that “sexual intercourse, especially on the part of the unmarried persons”. In the words of Apostle Paul, the sin of fornication is both against God and the one who is guilty of the act, (1 Cor. 6:18). However, the act of the sexual intercourse between a man and a woman which are not married does not by Law amount to adultery, since adultery refers to the sexual sin between a married and a single, or married and another married individual. But, whichever way one looks at fornication, it is a sin against God, against self and a despicable immoral behaviour, punishable in the life and in the life to come, (1 Cor. 6:9-10).

GENERAL REMARKS

(1)     Fornication makes one’s body one with the body of a harlot, (1 Cor. 6:15-16)

(2)     Fornication detaches one from the Spirit of the Lord, (vs. 16-17)

(3)     Fornication is a sin against self, (vs. 18)

(4)     Fornication defiles one as God’s temple, bought with a price, (vs. 19-20)

FORNICATION AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

                        Fornication dismembers one from the Body of Christ, which is the Church. However, this dismembership is not physical, but spiritual. This means that someone could be a member of a church denomination, yet not a member of the body of Christ or the Church. In the words of the Apostle Paul…”he who is joined to a harlot is one spirit”, (1 Cor. 6:15-17). So, one who engages in fornication automatically connects oneself to the Queen of Harlot, that is, Lucifer, and this, in turn removes one from the realm of the Lord, (vs. 15-17). This is the tragedy of fornication, and the obvious implication is that it pushes one into spiritual darkness and death. To this end, therefore, let it be stated that the sin of fornication;

(i)                   Disconnects one from the Lord, while one remains a member of a church denomination, (vs. 15-17)

(ii)                 Links up one with Lucifer, the Queen of Harlot, and so makes one member of the immoral

body of Satan, (vs. 15-17)

(iii)                Makes one, one body with the Mother of Harlots and not one body with Christ, (vs. 15-17)

FORNICATION AND THE DEFILEMENT OF THE TEMPLE OF GOD

The Scripture...”know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own”… (1 Cor. 6:19) talks of the presence of the Spirit of God in the believer, which any careless act of fornication can let go. And, it is certain, when the Spirit of God vacates one’s life, darkness and death set in. In other words, one becomes a dead log when the Spirit of God leaves one. Though, such a person can still sing, pray, at times fast or engage in other religious activities, but one under such a spiritual condition remains spiritually bankrupt and useless in the order of the kingdom of Heaven. This is one of the great evils that fornication can bring to one’s life. Thus, the Apostle states, “flee fornication: for every sin that a man does, is without the body, but he that commits fornication sins against himself”, (1Cor. 6:18). In this connection, the believer should;

(i)                   Make no room for fornication in his life, since he is the temple of the Holy Ghost, (vs. 19)

(ii)                 Know that he is bought with a price, and so, should glorify God in his body and spirit,

which are God’s (vs. 19)

(iii)                Be aware that the Holy Ghost leaves one’s life, when one fails to let fornication flee, (vs.18-19)

FORNICATION AND FINAL JUDGMENT

Fornication definitely leads to final judgment, since it bars one out of the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10), and when one is barred out of the Kingdom of God, one therefore, faces the White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15), where one must give account of everything written against one in God’s book of record (vs. 12), and finally be rewarded with eternal death, (vs. 13-14). But, blessed are those who keep His Words, and surely they will have access to the City of God, (Rev. 22:14). Note, also, that fornication is one of the works of the flesh that God will not be tolerate in His kingdom (Gal. 5:19-21),, and one of the sins that would keep people, who the Bible describes as dogs,, outside the gates of Heaven, (Rev. 22:15). And, the foregoing, points to eternal punishment, which cannot be remedied, if one refuses to repent in one’s life time on earth, (vs. 15). Having cited the above, please note that fornication;

(i)                   Is one of the sins that can stop one from getting into the Kingdom of God, (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

(ii)                 Is one of the works of the flesh that must be let go, if one desires to find a place

 in the Kingdom of God, hereafter, (Gal. 5:19-21)

(iii)                Is one of the immoral acts that tag one “ a dog” outside the gates of Heaven, (Rev. 22:15).

In conclusion, “flee fornication: Every sin that one commits, is without the body: but one that commits fornication sins against one’s own body” (1 Cor. 6:18), as well as bars oneself out of the Kingdom of God, (1 Cor. 6:9-10). BE INFORMED!