Immorality in the Church

A writer wrote about Immorality, "It is not common that you will find it. It is not popular if you say it. People do not believe it. A preacher is criticized if he reminds you of it" Despite this perception, the fact remains that Immorality has entered into the Church. How do we tackle and manage this phenomenon? Can it be totally eradicated from the church?

What Constitutes Immorality? I Corinthians 6:18; 6:9-10; I Timothy 2:9; I peter 3:3
a). Fornication – Sexual Intercourse before Marriage (Pre-Marital Sex)
b). Adultery – Sexual Intercourse outside Marriage (Extra-Marital Sex)
c). Effeminate Acts – Not Manly in appearance or manner. Feminine qualities untypical of a man.
d). Abusers of the Body – Homosexuals, Lesbians, Harlotry, Prostitution, Incest, Bestiality, Anal Sex etc.
e). Indecent Dressing/Adornment – Nudity, Exposing of body part, Tattoo, Nose/Body piercing etc.

What is Sexuality (Sex)? What is God’s Purpose for Sex?Sex is not a dirty word neither is it forbidden. God originated Sex for the benefit of all, within His guidelines. God’s plan for sex includes 1 man 1 woman, within the marriage relationship (Gen. 2:23-25)

What does the Bible say about Sex before and outside Marriage ? Hebrews 13:4
a). Marriage is a divine institution by God.
b). Pre-marital sex is a dishonour to this divine institution.
c). Extra marital sex is forbidden as it defiles the bed and attracts a curse from God.
d). Both are deadly sin and surely attracts God’s punishment.
e). They are deceitful sin. Satan uses it as a major instrument to deceive humanity and send multitude to
hell fire.

Isn’t my body my own? Why can’t I do with it as I choose?
a). When we become Christians, we dedicate ourselves to the Lord, and that includes our bodies ( I Corinthians 6:13)
b). Our body is the temple of God, not ours (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
c). In marriage , our body belong not to ourselves only, but to our mates.

Will God forgive my past Sexual Sins?
a). God will forgive our sexual sin if there is true repentance, turning away from that sin and seeking forgiveness (Acts 13:38-39)
b). Persistent, willful sin separates us from God, the only one who can forgive sin (Romans 1:24)

Is there anything like Safe Sex?
God’s version of safe sex is abstinence until marriage . The world’s version of safe sex is not based on morality at all. Their theme is, “if you can’t be good, then be careful”

How Do I Keep Myself Pure (Live in Purity)?
a). Protect Your Mind – The Eye-Gate and the Ear-Gate are important pathway to the mind (II Peter 2:14)
b). Don’t Accommodate Sin – Get away from anything whose theme is predominantly Lust and Sex.
c). Make a Decision – Make a pre-determined decision to live and stay pure. You can’t change the past,
but your future can be spotless (I Peter 2:11)

CONCLUSIONThough Biblical morality is laughed at, belittled, called archaic and old fashioned. However God’s standard for righteous living cannot be bent nor altered for the sake of immorality, sexual lust, and impurity. We need to be informed and get educated by subjecting ourselves to the Holy Spirit to guide, mentor, and inspire us to living a righteous and purified life ( 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 6:1)