What does Deuteronomy 23:17 reveal about God's view on sexual immorality?

Context in a Single Verse

“No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.” (Deuteronomy 23:17)

---

The Command at Face Value

• Absolute prohibition—“No … is to be” leaves no loophole

• Applies to both genders equally, underscoring universal purity

• Targets religion-linked prostitution, showing God rejects mixing worship with immorality

---

Why God Condemns Sexual Immorality Here

• Purity safeguards covenant identity (Exodus 19:5-6)

• Sexual sin distorts worship; pagan fertility rites traded holiness for pleasure (Leviticus 20:7-8)

• Bodies belong to God, not to be rented out (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

---

Broader Biblical Witness

• Leviticus 19:29—“Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute.”

• Proverbs 6:32—“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he destroys himself.”

• Hebrews 13:4—“Marriage must be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled.”

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3—“This is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality.”

---

Consequences of Ignoring the Command

• Personal ruin—loss of dignity and health (Proverbs 5:11-12)

• Spiritual separation—sin breaks fellowship with the Lord (Isaiah 59:2)

• Communal decay—Israel’s national blessing hinged on obedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-19)

---

Timeless Principles for Believers Today

• God defines sexuality, not culture

• Holiness is comprehensive—private choices affect public worship

• Both men and women bear equal responsibility for sexual purity

• Following God’s standard brings freedom, not restriction (John 8:36)

---

Living Out the Lesson

• Guard your heart and body as instruments of worship (Romans 12:1)

• Flee tempting environments; don’t negotiate with them (2 Timothy 2:22)

• Encourage purity in the church family; accountability is a gift (James 5:16)