Sexual sin is a sensitive but important topic addressed in the Bible. Today, we’ll learn what God’s Word teaches about purity, repentance, and the hope for healing and restoration in Christ.
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What Does The Bible Say About Sexual Sin
1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of sexual sin and the need to avoid it. It highlights that sexual immorality has a unique impact on the individual, affecting their body and wellbeing.
Sexual sin is not to be taken lightly, and believers are encouraged to flee from it, seeking purity and righteousness in their actions and thoughts.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of living a sanctified and morally pure life, specifically in regards to sexual behavior.
Believers are called to avoid sexual immorality and exercise self-control in their actions and thoughts, living in a manner that honors God and reflects His holiness.
Matthew 5:28
“But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
This verse highlights the importance of purity of heart and mind, not just in our physical actions.
Jesus teaches that even lusting after someone in our hearts is equivalent to committing adultery. It calls for believers to guard their thoughts and intentions, pursuing purity in all areas of their lives.
Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the need to keep the marriage bed pure.
God expects believers to honor the institution of marriage and to avoid any sexually immoral behavior. He will hold accountable those who engage in adultery or sexual immorality.
Galatians 5:19
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;”
This verse is a part of a list of acts considered as works of the flesh.
It specifically highlights sexual immorality as one of the sinful behaviors that are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit. Believers are called to reject such actions and instead walk in the Spirit, producing godly fruit.
Ephesians 5:3-5
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
This passage emphasizes the high standard God expects from His people.
Believers are called to live lives devoid of any hint of sexual immorality or impurity, and to avoid obscene speech or foolish jokes. Those who persist in such behaviors are not partakers of the Kingdom of God.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
This verse calls believers to actively and decisively put to death the sinful desires and behaviors of their earthly nature.
It specifically mentions sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed as aspects of the old self that need to be overcome. Such behaviors are seen as a form of idolatry, worshiping one’s own desires over God.
Proverbs 6:32-33
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.”
This passage highlights the destructive consequences of adultery and sexual sin.
The one who engages in such behavior brings harm and disgrace upon themselves, and their shame will persist. It serves as a warning against the disastrous effects of sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 10:8
“We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.”
This verse recalls an incident from the Old Testament, where the Israelites engaged in sexual immorality and faced severe consequences.
It serves as a reminder that sexual sin can have dire repercussions, even among God’s chosen people. Believers are to learn from past mistakes and seek to live in obedience to God’s commands.
Proverbs 5:15-20
“Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
This passage speaks to the importance of marital fidelity and finding satisfaction within one’s own spouse.
It encourages believers to cherish and rejoice in the exclusive love and intimacy shared with their spouse, warning against seeking fulfillment in illicit affairs.
1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
This verse addresses the issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church.
Paul advises that each individual should find fulfillment within the confines of their own marital relationship, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and commitment in marriage.
Romans 1:26-27
“Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.”
This passage addresses the issue of same-sex relationships and homosexual acts.
It highlights that engaging in unnatural sexual relations is contrary to God’s intended design. The consequences of such behavior are described as a due penalty for their error.
1 Peter 2:11
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
This verse calls believers to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against their souls.
It serves as a reminder that indulging in sexual sin not only has physical consequences but also harms one’s spiritual well-being. Believers are encouraged to live as strangers in this world, resisting the pull of sinful desires.
Romans 6:13
“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
This verse calls believers to offer themselves to God and live as instruments of righteousness.
It emphasizes the need to refrain from offering any part of oneself to sin, including sexual immorality. Believers are called to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.
Job 31:1
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
This verse speaks of Job’s commitment to guard his eyes from lustful desires.
It highlights the importance of making intentional choices to avoid indulging in lustful thoughts, recognizing the destructive nature of such desires.
Proverbs 6:27-29
“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.”
This passage vividly illustrates the consequences of engaging in adultery.
Just as one cannot escape the burning effects of fire or hot coals, those who partake in adultery will face punishment and negative consequences. It serves as a warning against engaging in infidelity.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
This passage emphasizes that those who persist in unrepentant sexual sin will not inherit the kingdom of God.
It includes a list of sinful behaviors, including sexual immorality, adultery, and homosexual acts, among others. Believers are urged not to be deceived and to turn away from such practices.
Matthew 5:32
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
This verse speaks to the seriousness of divorce and the implications it has on the covenant of marriage.
While divorce is allowed in cases of sexual immorality, Jesus highlights that divorcing without just cause and marrying another person results in adultery. It emphasizes the importance of upholding the sanctity and permanence of marriage.
1 Corinthians 6:15-16
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, ‘The two will become one flesh.'”
This verse addresses the issue of sexual immorality and its connection to the body, which is a member of Christ.
It emphasizes that believers should not engage in sexual acts with prostitutes or anyone outside the proper context of marriage. The reminder that sexual intimacy unites two individuals as one flesh reinforces the sanctity of sexual relations within the boundaries of marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
This verse speaks to the importance of maintaining a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship within marriage.
Paul advises that spouses should not withhold intimacy from one another, except for times of mutual agreement and temporarily, for the purpose of dedicating themselves to prayer. It recognizes the potential vulnerability to temptation when spouses lack self-control in this area.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse reminds believers of the sacredness of their bodies as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
It underscores the responsibility to honor God with their bodies and to refrain from defiling it through sexual immorality. Believers are urged to recognize that they were bought at a great price through the sacrifice of Christ, and thus should live in a manner that brings glory to God.
Proverbs 7:25-27
“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.”
This passage warns against the seductive lure of sexual sin and the disastrous consequences it brings.
It speaks of the destruction that befalls those who succumb to temptation and engage in sexual immorality. Believers are urged not to let their hearts be enticed by such ways, recognizing the potential for spiritual death and ruin.
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”
This verse emphasizes that believers are called to live a life of holiness and purity, especially in regards to sexual conduct.
It highlights that rejecting the instruction to live a pure life is not just a rejection of human authority but a rejection of God Himself. Believers are reminded of the presence of the Holy Spirit within them and the need to honor God in their bodies and actions.