What does "the body is not for sexual immorality" mean for Christians today? Setting the Verse in Context 1 Corinthians 6:13: “‘Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,’ but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” Paul addresses believers who treated their physical urges the way they treated appetite—something to satisfy whenever convenient. He corrects this by insisting that our bodies have a higher purpose: they belong to the Lord Himself. What “Sexual Immorality” Means Scripture uses the Greek word porneia, covering every sexual act outside the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. It includes • Premarital sex (fornication) • Adultery • Homosexual practice (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:26-27) • Prostitution • Pornography or lustful fantasies (cf. Matthew 5:28) Anything that separates sexual expression from God-designed marriage falls under this term. Three Reasons Our Bodies Matter to God • Created for His glory (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16) – Our bodies are divine handiwork, not disposable shells. • Indwelt by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) – The Holy Spirit takes up residence in us; impurity grieves Him. • Redeemed at a price (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19) – Jesus paid with His blood; therefore, our bodies are now His property. Practical Implications for Daily Life • Guard what you watch, read, and click—sexual purity begins in the mind (Philippians 4:8). • Reserve sexual intimacy exclusively for marriage; anything less contradicts God’s design (Hebrews 13:4). • Dress and behave in ways that honor the Lord and protect others from stumbling (1 Timothy 2:9-10). • Flee tempting situations swiftly, following Paul’s direct command: “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). • Seek accountability—trusted believers help us walk in light (James 5:16). • Remember your destiny: God will raise your body in glory (1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 3:20-21). Walking in Grace and Power Purity is not maintained by sheer willpower but by living connection with Christ. As we present our bodies “as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) and rely on the Spirit’s strength (Galatians 5:16), He enables us to honor Him with every thought, desire, and action. The body is not for sexual immorality—today or ever—but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. |
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