Wednesday: Antidote Against Sexual Immorality
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 22nd of July 2026
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. What does this passage say about the connection between sanctification and abstinence from sexual immorality?
Though Paul was writing to someone else in the above texts, the principle can be applied across the board, to all Christians which still, though, leads to the question: What was going on in Corinth? Why all these problems?
Image © Graham Braddock at Goodsalt.com
Some in Corinth apparently believed that since the gospel set them free, they were allowed to do anything. They argued that just as the stomach was made for food, the body was made for sex, and sex for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13). Paul responds that this is a misrepresentation of Christian freedom. The lack of integrity in sexual matters is inconsistent with Christian identity and is a misuse of the freedom granted to man through the gospel (Romans 8:2, Galatians 5:13). We were set free from sin, not set “free” to commit it (Romans 8:2; Romans 6:18,22). In fact, “the body is . . . for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13). We belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15), and who we are must impact what we do. One thing is inextricably linked to the other. This is portrayed in 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 in three different ways.
First, we are identified as washed, sanctified, and justified “in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NKJV). The sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, as well as the sexual immorality denounced in 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, have no place in the lives of those who were washed, sanctified, and justified.
Second, we are members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15). This means that we must be united with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17). Sexual immorality is a violation of that union (1 Corinthians 6:13,15). Whoever joins with a person in extramarital sexual intercourse becomes “one body” with him or her (1 Corinthians 6:16). Union with Christ through the Spirit must determine Christian ethics in sexual matters.
Third, our bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV). The only way to live a holy life with integrity in sexual matters is by having an intimate relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere, Paul refers to the experience of being a temple of the Spirit in terms of presenting the body “as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1, ESV).
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Think about the wreckage that sexual sins have brought upon humanity. What should this tell us about how serious this issue should be for the Christian? |
When I read the topic for today’s lesson, I immediately thought about a conversation I had with a facebook birdwatching friend about sex. Now I don’t usually talk to women friends about sex, but this conversation came at me out of the blue. A bit of background: my friend is a rampant atheist with a Catholic background. She has had a bad experience with Christian dogma. Most of her comments about religion reflect that. She is a widow, a very keen birdwatcher, and she and I often compare notes about the bird movements between where she lives and where I live.
Out of the blue, she messaged me on FB and told me that her male married neighbour had proposed that he and she have recreational sex. His wife was not interested in sex, but he was still pretty keen on it. She apologised for messaging me, but she said she needed someone to talk to. Obviously it was not going to be useful to inject a God-centred morality into this conversation. The significant part of our interchange was that we both agreed on the value of human relationships and that marriage was not just a vehicle for sex, to be ignored when sex no longer worked. Her comment about her neighbour’s proposal was that it showed that his relationship with his wife was of less importance than sex.
There was a lot more to the conversation but it reinforced for me the importance of understanding that our relationship with God is reflected in our relationships with one another. That “other” relationship includes our spouses. It was a reminder that we do not marry just so we can have sex when we feel like it. We marry for a shared relationship that should develop over a lifetime. Sex can be over in five minutes, but relationships are forever.
Sexual immorality is the devils most powerful weapon against Christians, in this age. It takes the grace of GOD to flee from it.
The heart of the matter is (I insist). The issue at hand seems to be that the “Christians” in Corinth wanted to gain from two worlds—one that pleases the body on one side and one that connects to the Spirit of God on the other. It was a sort of bargain between the “sweetness” of both worlds. The faithful in the church of Corinth wanted to gain on both ends, like burning a True to the analogy, the fires would indeed bring light in one sense, but at the same time destroy the very candle because its body was also being consumed. In the end, both fires would consume the candle and eventually be extinguished, largely without fulfilling their intended purpose.
That is why I am struggling with today’s lesson, as I feel we have glossed over the subject matter, It seems we have paraphrased the texts, but have not really addressed the antidote itself. I believe an antidote is expected to reverse or nullify the effects of a poison or harmful substance spreading throughout the body.
Before we even go into the , do we even know that we are living two lives? Dishonesty with ourselves is probably one of the greatest impediments in the church today, especially concerning lustful desire. Because it is hidden, it is often covered with blame, denial, and gaslighting, while the habit itself remains deeply rooted. At least we can give this to the church in Corinth—they wrestled with these matters openly, giving Paul the opportunity to address them directly. In today’s world, it plays out in hiding, and worse still, the issues described in are also concealed within the heart, making the situation even more troubling.
It is my thought that, for an antidote to work, (or living with a poison). Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Finally,
Maybe I am seeing it wrongly, but those are my thoughts.
Thank you for this comment.
Sexual sin is one of the sins that has received very strong condemnation throughout Scripture. It is one of the most “stubborn” sin which tormented God’s people in the Old Testament, the Early Church, and even in our churches today. Sex is God’s creation, and most sadly, most abused and misused. God’s people are in constant danger of this sin because they live among societies whose moral values are in sharp decline. This sin is dangerously “stubborn” because it involves every aspect of human existence (body, mind, emotions, and spirit). It is a very….very serious matter when the Bible says, “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18, NIV). Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39) is a classic example. No one is a hero to sexual sin.
God strongly condemns sexual sin. Its consequences are far-reaching (destroy families, betray relationships, exploit victims, spread diseases, cause emotional trauma, bring a strong sense of guilt and cause loss of trust). We have been called to honour God with our bodies, “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19). We dishonour God when we engage in sexual sin. The remedy to sexual sin is not simply to cultivate a strong sense of willpower, but to walk in the Spirit. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).
Sex, if practised God’s way, is a blessing. But, if it is not,it becomes a curse.Let’us pray to God to resist the pressure to follow the world, especially for the youth.
Sexual immorality is deeply rooted in the human heart. It rarely begins suddenly; instead, it develops gradually over time. For this reason, overcoming this poison is a process that requires intentional spiritual growth and dependence on God.
Identify the influences that stir sinful desires in your life and those that strengthen your spiritual walk. Is it careless conversations or inappropriate jokes? Is it the content you consume online? Is it a circle of friends who normalize or practice sexual immorality? Recognizing these influences is the first step toward victory.
The culture around us has greatly influenced many people to adopt beliefs and practices that are contrary to God’s Word. As a result, these influences have found their way into the church. This is why biblical church discipline is so important in our generation. When exercised with love, humility, and faithfulness to Scripture, it helps preserve the purity of the church, restore those who repent, and uphold God’s standards of holy living.
In reading the comments today, I don’t see that the antidote has been glossed over. I will give my related thoughts.
1. We need an intimate relationship with God. Daily spending time, getting to the point where we hunger and thirst for the time set with God as much or more then as we seek nutritional sustenance and hydration.
2. Spending time with our spouse in a loving relationship that satisfy both. Not only physical communication but verbal, things that no one else is privy to.
3. Guard your relationship with God and spouse, with the thought that any break of your vow would be hurting God and spouse.
4. It is a shield and armor you have to put on with the power of God. Like the armor of Ephesians 6:10-20.
You can’t go wrong with this armor. Because with this armor sin is rubbish. Philippians 3:8.
5. Men, our thoughts of our wife’s are the way God looks at her. Lovely and delicate. Jeremiah 6:2.
6. God says to us I have epoused you to one wife. 2 Corinthians 11:2. Yes, Paul is talking about Christ the One husband of the church, yet we can tailor it to our antidote if temptation arises. Remember temptation is deflected like a shield deflects arrows by our antidotes.
7. Stay with your convictions, vows, covenant, mature love, first love, and antidotes until death does part.
Our prayer is that we be found in Christ, not having our own righteousness, which is from the law, but to have that which is faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. Philippians 3:9. We cannot go wrong with this righteousness.
I often say that the two most dangerous things God gave humanity were freewill and testosterone. The devil freely exploits these matters. Many have been led to ruin through the unwillingness to submit these two to Christ. Let no one say that the desire is too strong to resist. That’s like saying that God’s Grace is too weak to deliver. Who is stronger, your God or your devil? I guess it depends on who we submit ourselves to.
I believe that sex was a gift given (like any gift, it can be abused and misused) for at least a couple of reasons. One of course is procreation. The other is as a means of intimacy, connection, and bonding. An antitype, if you will, of the close relationship that God desires to have with us. Not sexual of course, but close, intimate, and bonded. The word intimacy, could be interpreted as, into me, see. True intimacy transcends sexual expression. It, along with Christ is the glue that keeps us connected in our marriages even if the physical, sexual aspect is no longer working. There is so much more to marriage than sex, and no marriage relationship is worth throwing away simply for selfish, hedonistic satisfaction.
God didn’t have to make it pleasureable but He did so that people would procreate and populate the world. If it were like simply shaking hands who would do it? Don’t let the pleasures of this life consume and control you. In God’s presence there are pleasures forevermore!
Sexual desires is one that is hard for our young people to flee. How do we teach our children or what tools can we give them to flee from these desires. Training up a child requires us to teach them temperance in all things. If children get everything they desire from food to clothing etc. We’re not restraining from fleshy desires. We have to train them up in the Word of God and young people need to really understand why their bodies are the temple literally. I wish this was taught to me in my youth as many mistakes would not have been made. I praise God for his grace.
One major technique for the avoidance of falling into the trap of sexual immorality is the strengthening of our Spiritual nature. It appears to me that when we spend consistent time with God in the study of His Word, including Prayer; the mind functions at a different level. Our “fleshy nature” is subdued by our “spiritual nature”.
In addition the friends with whom you associate, your diet, the type of books you read and television shows you view, impacts your ability to control your sexuality. Not excluding your personal boundaries that you embrace as you relate to your significant “other”.
The proof of our love is the esteem with which we embrace the children of God placed in our lives; and to whom by God’s grace, we love fervently out of a pure heart.
Antidote – something that counteracts another/ remedy to something.
Antidote against sexual Immorality, as stated from above, we are looking at a preventive/ prevention not an antidote to the immaturity.
Might refer to” Acts 3:19
[19]Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” as our only antidote. ( Maybe Acts 8:22 too)
Our previous lesson clearly explained how genuine Repentence must be . 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Our only antidote is Christ
Maybe the struggling believer needs to ask him-/herself: “What do I desire more – the sin or to live in the Kingdom of God?” To me, this is the most simple, going straight to the core of the problem’s, issue to address.
When one takes away all the ‘circumstances’ leading us toward sinning, what would be a good ‘warning sign’ to give notice along the way to destruction? How about: “Stop – Beware – You are entering the domain of the adversary of God at the risk of losing your salvation.” 1 Peter 5:8.
People may seem to banalize sex too much nowadays. As much as it is a gift, it carries great responsibility.