The term "immoral" in the context of the Bible refers to actions, behaviors, or thoughts that are contrary to the moral standards set forth by God. Immorality is often associated with sin and is depicted as a deviation from the righteous path that God desires for humanity. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on immorality, emphasizing the importance of living a life that aligns with God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, immorality is frequently addressed in the context of idolatry, sexual sin, and injustice. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) serve as a foundational moral code, prohibiting actions such as adultery, theft, and bearing false witness. Leviticus 18 and 20 provide specific prohibitions against various forms of sexual immorality, including incest, adultery, and homosexuality. These laws were given to the Israelites to set them apart as a holy nation.

The prophets often spoke against immorality, calling the people of Israel to repentance. For example, the prophet Isaiah condemned the moral decay of his time, saying, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness" (Isaiah 5:20). The prophets emphasized that immorality leads to judgment and separation from God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, immorality is addressed with a focus on the transformative power of the Gospel and the call to live a life worthy of Christ. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, expanded the understanding of immorality to include not only actions but also thoughts and intentions. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed immorality in his epistles, urging believers to live in holiness. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists various forms of immorality, warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. He writes, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts" .

Paul also emphasizes the importance of the believer's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, urging Christians to flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). In Galatians 5:19-21, he contrasts the works of the flesh, which include immorality, with the fruit of the Spirit, encouraging believers to walk by the Spirit.

Moral Standards and Christian Living

The Bible calls Christians to a higher standard of morality, rooted in love for God and neighbor. Immorality is seen as incompatible with the new life in Christ. Ephesians 5:3-4 instructs believers, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving" .

The call to moral purity is not only a personal endeavor but also a communal responsibility. The church is called to uphold and encourage moral living, providing accountability and support for its members. In this way, the body of Christ reflects the holiness of God to the world, serving as a light in the darkness.

Conclusion

While the Bible clearly condemns immorality, it also offers hope and redemption through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to repent of immoral behavior and to pursue righteousness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through faith and obedience, Christians are called to live lives that honor God and reflect His holiness.(a.) Contrary to conscience or the divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious; licentious; as, an immoral man; an immoral deed.4205. pornos -- a fornicator
... Word Origin akin to porne Definition a fornicator NASB Word Usage fornicators (2),
immoral (2), immoral men (1), immoral people (2), immoral person (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4205.htm - 7k

2845. koite -- a bed
... koite Phonetic Spelling: (koy'-tay) Short Definition: a bed, marriage bed Definition:
(a) a bed, (b) a marriage bed; plur: repeated (immoral) sexual intercourse ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2845.htm - 6k

4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... Origin from porne Definition to commit fornication NASB Word Usage act immorally
(1), commit...immorality (2), committed...immorality (3), did (1), immoral (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4203.htm - 7k

The Gods Human at First. Who had the Authority to Make them Divine ...
... Who Had the Authority to Make Them Divine? Jupiter Not Only Human, But Immoral.
Manifest cases, indeed, like these have a force peculiarly their own. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xiii name gods human.htm

The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... Real sensationalism, of which I happen to be very fond, may be either moral or immoral.
But even when it is most immoral, it requires moral courage. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/viii the mildness of the.htm

'Swear not at All'
... But these poisonous weeds of speech not only tended to degrade plain veracity in
the popular mind, but were themselves parents of immoral evasions, for it was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/swear not at all.htm

David's Weakness
... If it mean the first, it is a term somewhat unnecessary, if not somewhat irreverent.
If it mean the second, it means something untrue and immoral. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon i davids weakness.htm

Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
... It is bad men, proud men, men of hard hearts, and unhumbled tempers, and immoral
lives, these are they who reject the Gospel. These are they of whom St. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiii truth hidden when.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... hearts the Lord hardened, whom He had purposed to utterly destroy, to whom He showed
"no favour." Granted that they were wicked, immoral, idolatrous; were they ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

The Home-Parlor.
... It is, therefore, beneath the dignity of the Christian to permit his home to become
in any way a prey to immoral and irreligious associations and influences. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxii the home-parlor.htm

An Account of the Several Annual Conferences, and of the General ...
... At these conferences, two preachers, namely, Beverly Allen [27] and Andrew
Harpending were expelled from the Church for immoral conduct. ...
/.../chapter 3 an account of 2.htm

Introduction
... who were connected somehow with the followers of Carpocrates or at anyrate with
the tenets of that party, but he fastens on their immoral tendencies like Judas ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction 4.htm

Private Property and the Common Good
... Unlimited acquisition used to be considered immoral and dishonorable. How and when
did public opinion change on this? Third Day: Quit Grafting. ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... (a.) Contrary to conscience or the divine law; wicked; unjust; dishonest; vicious;
licentious; as, an immoral man; an immoral deed. ...Immoral (16 Occurrences). ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Sexually (10 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB NIV). ...
/s/sexually.htm - 9k

Idolaters (5 Occurrences)
... Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes,
nor homosexuals, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/idolaters.htm - 8k

Liars (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine ...
/l/liars.htm - 10k

Immorality (38 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state or quality of being immoral; vice.
2. (n.) An immoral act or practice. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/immorality.htm - 18k

Murderers (9 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/m/murderers.htm - 10k

Adulterers (10 Occurrences)
... Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes,
nor homosexuals, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/adulterers.htm - 9k

Sorcerers (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/s/sorcerers.htm - 9k

Homosexuals (2 Occurrences)
... Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, (WEB NAS). ...
/h/homosexuals.htm - 7k

Astoreth
... The chief seat of the worship of Ishtar in Babylonia was Erech, where prostitution
was practiced in her name, and she was served with immoral rites by bands of ...
/a/astoreth.htm - 10k

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Immoral: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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