15 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! 16 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.”[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[c]
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 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; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.1 Corinthians 6:16-20
A young man in his early twenties walked into my brother’s church one Sunday after the service. He appeared distressed and began to confide in my brother about his habitual struggles with sexual sin. Tears streamed down his face as he expressed his disappointment in himself. He confessed, “Before I know what is happening, I find myself in the middle of sexual sin. I just can’t control myself.”
My brother asked if he lived with a lady or had a girlfriend with whom he engaged in sexual activity. The young man replied that while they didn’t live together, they often ended up in compromising situations at either his place or hers. Upon hearing this, my brother advised him, “Don’t you think it would be wise for the two of you never to be alone together at your house or hers? If that’s where you keep falling into sin, I strongly recommend that you avoid spending time alone in those environments.” The young man retorted, “Are you suggesting that I run away from my problems and weaknesses? No way! I am not going to run away. I intend to prove that I can overcome these temptations. I don’t believe I need to change my environment. I just need to be stronger!” My brother shook his head and smiled sadly, foreseeing the struggle the young man would continue to face.
My brothers and sisters, the Word of God instructs us to FLEE from fornication. Why does the Bible use the word “FLEE” and not “run,” “walk out,” or “fight it”? Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you can fight fornication or pray against it. The Bible instructs us to flee.
Here’s how to flee from fornication:
To remain free, it may be necessary to choose new friends, break away from places where you used to spend time, stop watching certain TV programs or movies, and discontinue reading material that once consumed you. You might even need to cancel your Internet service to avoid pornographic sites that entice you into sin.
Could it be that you’ve been praying for strength to resist sin when, in reality, all you need to do is distance yourself from the things that lead you to sin? If you’re tempted to overeat, stay out of the kitchen! If you’re lured to pornographic websites, install filters to block those sites or, if necessary, discontinue your Internet service. Permanently resolve your situation by removing yourself from the influences that lead you astray. Taking this commonsense approach may answer the prayers you’ve been uttering to be free!
If you’re serious about your walk with God, you must make every necessary change to stay spiritually strong and free from guilt and condemnation. I urge you to take Paul’s words to heart and “flee” from those things that harm your soul and spiritual life. Just as you would advise someone to stay away from alcohol or drugs, it’s wise for you to apply the same advice to your own life.
