1 Coríntios 6
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 6
Wiersbe - THE BEST SEX There is certainly excitement and enjoyment in sexual experience outside of marriage, but there is not enrichment. Sex outside of marriage is like a man robbing a bank: he gets something, but it is not his and he will one day pay for it. Sex within marriage can be like a person putting money into a bank: there is safety, security, and he will collect dividends. Paul referred to the creation account to explain the seriousness of sexual sin. When a man and woman join their bodies, the entire personality is involved. There is a much deeper experience, a "oneness" that brings with it deep and lasting consequences. Paul warned that sexual sin is the most serious sin a person can commit against his body, for it involves the whole person. Paul did not suggest that being joined to a harlot was the equivalent of marriage, for marriage also involves commitment. When two people pledge their love and faithfulness to each other, they lay a strong foundation on which to build. Marriage protects sex and enables the couple, committed to each other, to grow in this wonderful experience. In my pastoral counseling, I have had to help married couples whose relationship was falling apart because of the consequences of premarital sex, as well as extramarital sex. The harvest of sowing to the flesh is sometimes delayed, but it is certain (Gal. 6:7-8). How sad it is to live with the consequences of forgiven sin. (Pause for Power) Lust (Teen to Teen) “We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” —Ephesians 2:3–5 Lust is a problem. The Bible tells us that we will struggle with lust. It’s hard for boys to stop looking at girls or to stop watching pornography on the computer screen. It’s hard for girls to put down the fiery romance books or stop watching romantic movies. Ephesians tells us that, “We all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh.” It is a constant battle being fought in the war against sin and Satan, but God provides hope for us in the war, “even when we were dead in trespasses, [He] made us alive together in Christ.” God is here, and He is ready to help us win this battle. Job 31:1 says, “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I look at a young woman?” Matthew 5:29 instructs, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown in hell.” God has a plan for us to win this. Bounce your eyes from looking at that girl and change the channel when the sensual commercial or show comes on. If there is anything that causes you to lust, destroy it! Get rid of the porn sites, put up parental blocks, burn the romance book, and break the romance DVD. God is available in prayer and through His Word to help when the temptation to lust haunts us. Call on Him. Zach Watkins: 16, Henderson, NV Highland Hills Baptist Church and Green Valley High School, Henderson, NV Question: What does the Bible say about voyeurism? Answer: The Bible does not directly address the subject of voyeurism. Voyeurism is a sexual fetish that involves watching other people engaging in private behaviors such as undressing or participating in sexual activity. Voyeurism also often includes secretly videotaping or photographing the person being watched without his or her knowledge or consent. The voyeur usually observes from a secret vantage point or uses a hidden camera to capture illicit images. Some people consider viewing pornography or even looking at photos of other people on social media sites to be voyeuristic activity, but voyeurism, strictly speaking, is the act of secretly watching or filming people in real life as they undress or engage in sexual activity. Voyeurism is sinful for at least two reasons: first, it is invasive and disrespectful to the person being watched. The Bible commands people to treat others with respect, justice, and kindness (Micah 6:8; Zechariah 7:9; Galatians 5:22). Voyeurism is a violation of this command—the voyeur treats other people as objects. Second, voyeurism falls under the category of unlawful or immoral sexual behavior. Lust is on the same level, spiritually, with adultery. When we look at another person with “lustful intent,” we have already committed adultery with him or her in our hearts (Matthew 5:28). Secretly looking at the nakedness of another person (not one’s spouse) is wrong. Stealing of any kind—even stealing someone’s privacy—is sin. Voyeurism is a work of the flesh and a product of sinful desire. The Bible tells us to choose a different path for our lives: “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14). GotQuestions.org Related Resources from Gotquestions.org Masturbation - is it a sin according to the Bible? How can I overcome an addiction to internet porn? Can addiction to pornography be defeated? What is wrong with viewing pornography, if I don’t lust after the person? What does the Bible say about sex addiction? Should I tell my spouse about my pornography addiction? Iain Paisley - THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery’ Exodus 20:14 (commentary) Here we have the sanctity of our neighbour’s purity. ‘The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.’ Psalm 19:9. This commandment demands that we preserve our own purity by preserving the purity of our neighbour. Adultery wrecks our chastity on the rocks of uncleanness. Sex outside marriage is condemned by God. The marriage is divinely instituted and sacred. God has hedged it around with a great prohibition and with great penalties. Those who break this hedge will be bitten by the serpent (Ecc. 10:8). Love and faithfulness are the great sustaining pillars of marriage. Marriage resembles the mystical union between Christ and His church. Adultery is a dishonour to God. It is deliberate. It can be prevented (1 Cor. 7:2+). 1. It is the worst sort of thievish sin. It is the stealing of his neighbour’s own flesh. Marriage makes man and woman one flesh. (Genesis 2:24). 2. It is beastly in nature (Jer. 5:8). 3. It pollutes the whole person (Luke 11:24). 4. It is destructive of the body (Prov. 5:11). 5. It robs men of their substance (Prov. 6:26). 6. It everlastingly blots the name (Prov. 6:32, 33). 7. It is heart breaking (Hosea 4:11). 8. It brings swift judgment (Deut. 20:10). 9. It damns in hell (I Cor. 6:9). 10. It endangers the soul of another. 11. It is abhorred of God (Prov. 22:14). Thomas Watson states: ‘The adulterer is the devil’s first born, he is unclean, he is a moving quagmire, he is all over ulcerated with sin. His eyes sparkle with lust, he is so filthy that if he die in his sin all the flames of hell will never purge away his uncleanness. And as for the adulteress, who can paint her black enough: the scripture calls her a ‘deep ditch’. She is a common sewer, whereas a believer’s body is a living temple. The body of a harlot is a walking dung hill.’ To be kept from the sin of adultery we must: 1. Keep ourselves from the whorish man or woman (Prov. 5:8). 2. Make a covenant with our eyes (Job 31:1). 3. Dress modestly (Prov. 7:10). 4. Take heed of evil company (Psalm 106:18). 5. Turn away our eyes from beholding vanity. Immoral films, plays, pictures and books (Ps. 119:37). 6. Mind our eating habits. Gluttony and drunkenness are the vanguard of uncleanness (1 Cor. 9:27). 7. Beware of idleness (2 Samuel 11:4). 8. Honour our marriage relations (Ezek. 16:49). ‘It is not having a wife, but loving his wife which makes a man live chastely.’ Thomas Watson remarked that ‘some have concluded because the Bible says ‘none that go to her (the adultress) return again’ that adultery was the unpardonable sin’. Not so. The meaning is, that ‘none of those who keep going to her return again’ (Ecc. 7:24). David was delivered and restored and wrote scripture in his recovered joy of God’s salvation. Mary Magdelene whose eyes were wanton with lust, washed the Lord’s feet with her tears from those very eyes. There is forgiveness with God. But, nevertheless, this is the most fearful of sins. Our souls however, can have recourse to the precious cleansing blood of Christ and to that fountain opened to the house of David—remember he was an adulterer—and to Jerusalem—remember it was a city which became a harlot Isaiah 1:21—for sin and for uncleanness (Zech. 1:21). Listen to these Gospel words:—‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’ Isaiah 1:18. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY! Rod Mattoon - Because of the destructiveness of sexual immorality, Paul issues a simple, forceful, powerful command on how to deal with this sin. He says, "Run! Don't pollute the palace!" Fornication is a sin that affects your entire body and being. It has devastating spiritual consequences. When it comes to sexual sin, don't reason with it, don't rationalize it, just run! In fact, the word "flee," which is from the word pheugo {fyoo'-go}, carries the idea of running continually and to keep on running from this sin until the danger has passed. It also means "to avoid by running." It is just as important to avoid the traps of sexual sin as it is to run from it if you find yourself in a situation of temptation that may arise. There are steps that we can follow to avoid sexual sin. Avoiding Sexual Sin 1. Avoid the Actions That Lead to Fornication Wandering Looks: Wandering eyes belong to those who are looking for women or men. They hunt for new sex partners. * 2 Peter 2:14—Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Wandering eyes can get you into trouble. The story is told that in the year 1040 A.D., Earl Leofric of Mercia, one of the four all-powerful lords that ruled England under Canute, the Danish king, decided he would raise the fees he levied on his tenants. One of the towns that he ruled over was Coventry. His wife, Lady Godiva, pleaded with him to cancel those charges and he agreed to do so if she would ride naked on horseback through the streets of Coventry. That is exactly what she did, but the grateful people agreed that they would all stay inside their homes and not watch the lady. However, one man, named Tom, who was a tailor by trade, was so tempted by Lady Godiva's beauty, he did indeed peep through his window. He was said to have been blinded as a consequence, not by the townspeople but by an act of God, and has been known ever since as "Peeping Tom." Wandering Eyes, Wild Behavior, and Immodest Gestures: * Isaiah 3:16—Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Improper sensual flirting, embraces and hugging should be avoided. Avoid wild parties. Stay out of taverns and off the dance floors. The close contact, looks, touching, the music and words stir the embers of emotion and fan the flames of sexual passion. 2. Avoid Sensual Men and Sensual Women Avoid their houses like a sailor that avoids rocks. Women say a great deal by the way they behave around men and by the way they dress. Women that dress immodestly and sensually reveal what is in their hearts. * Proverbs 5:8—Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: * Proverbs 4:14-15—Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 3. Guard Your Eyes and Your Heart Pornography will poison your heart and mind. Avoid places and activities of nudity and sensuality. * Job 31:1—I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? * Proverbs 4:23—Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 4. Be Careful How You Dress Ladies, sensual dress provokes lust and attracts the wrong kind of men. * 1 Timothy 2:9—In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 5. Seek Biblical Marriage * 1 Corinthians 7:1-2—Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Do not fear scriptural marriage. Do not marry unbelievers, backslidden Christians, or someone who has been divorced and their former spouse is still alive. Those are God's guidelines. Reject also the philosophy of this world that promotes living together with someone before you are married to them. It doesn't work and has devastating consequences. * Hebrews 13:4—Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. A loving spouse can meet the need of attention, acceptance, affection, admiration, and activities. Sexual sin, however, will devastate your marriage and your relationship with God. When we look through the Bible, we find an interesting contrast between a man that ran from sexual sin and a man that embraced it and regretted his decision. The two men we want to contrast are Joseph and King David. (Genesis 39 and 2 Samuel 11) A. Notice Their Conditions 1. Joseph was busy and working, while David was idle. Temptation can come unexpectedly at any time. * Genesis 39:11—And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. * 2 Samuel 11:1—And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. 2. Both of these men were prospering. David was a king. God prospered Joseph, even though he was a slave. * Genesis 39:2,6—And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.... 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. B. Notice Their Character 1. Joseph was the one being pursued. His heart was pure as we will see. * Genesis 39:7—And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. * Genesis 39:12a—And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me... 2. David was the pursuer. His heart was polluted with lust. * 2 Samuel 11:2-4... And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. C. Notice Their Concern About Corruption 1. Joseph refused the sexual advances of Mrs. Potiphar and ran from the situation. He put into practice what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 6:18. * Genesis 39:8-10... But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. * Genesis 39:12—And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. 2. David was not concerned about sexual corruption. He indulged in it, dragging Bathsheba down with him. * 2 Samuel 11:4—And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. D. Notice the Consequences of Their Actions 1. Joseph did what was right, but was falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet, God was still with him. His conscience was clear and God blessed Joseph and caused him to prosper. * Genesis 39:14-20... That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: 15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. 16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home. 17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: 18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. 19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. * Genesis 39:23—The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. 2. David did that which was wrong and was imprisoned by his own guilt. His adultery with Bathsheba led to her pregnancy and exposure. The threat of his sin being exposed motivated him to try to cover it up, but to no avail. It would come to light. God was not pleased at all with David's sin. Joseph prospered, but David was punished. God's chastening hand of judgment would be upon his home for the rest of his life. * 2 Samuel 11:5—And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child. * 2 Samuel 11:12-13... And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and tomorrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. 13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. * 2 Samuel 11:15—And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. * 2 Samuel 11:27—And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. * 2 Samuel 12:7-10... And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. E. Notice Their Confession 1. Joseph's conscience was pure or clear and invited the inspection of the Pharaoh into his circumstances. Truth always invites inspection for it has nothing to hide. * Genesis 40:14-15... But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 15 For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. 2. David is perplexed and penitent and acknowledges his sin against the Lord. * 2 Samuel 12:13—And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Beloved, there is a heavy price to pay if you indulge in sexual immorality. Commandment 7—Keep Yourself Pure You shall not commit adultery. —Exodus 20:14 Flee sexual immorality. —1 Corinthians 6:18 Today's Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30 The Bible is up-to-date on sexual matters. Long ago, God warned against adultery and fornication. In effect, He said, “Say no!” Now, in the 20th century with the awful threat of AIDS, many lawmakers, educators, and doctors are agreeing with the Almighty. The Grand Rapids Press carried an article titled “Abstinence: The New Emphasis in Sex Education.” It told of 16-year-old Will Heiss, a “peer educator” who challenges younger kids to say no to sexual activity—and they are listening. Author and campus lecturer Josh McDowell reminded a college audience that the seventh commandment is a gracious provision by God, given for our protection. Josh told of a man who had several sexual relationships. The man later received Christ and met a wonderful woman whom he married. “She’s precious,” confided the man, “but in the intimacy of our marriage I’m haunted by the ‘ghosts’ of those previous affairs.” Lord, grant me strength from day to day— How prone I am to go astray! The passions of my flesh are strong; Be Thou, my God, a shield from wrong. —DJD God’s commandments were not given to frustrate us but to fulfill us. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? Amplified - Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
1 Coríntios 6
Wiersbe writes: "In my pastoral counseling, I have had to help married couples whose relationship was falling apart because of the consequences of premarital sex, as well as extramarital sex. The harvest of sowing to the flesh is sometimes delayed, but it is certain (Ga6:7-8). How sad it is to live with the consequences of forgiven sin. Having said all this, we must also realize that there are eternal consequences for people who habitually practice sexual sins. In 1Co6:9-10, Paul twice states that people who practice such sins will not inherit God’s kingdom. A Christian may fall into these sins and be forgiven, as was David; but no Christian would continuously practice such sins (1Jn 3:1-10)." John
1 Coríntios 6:18
Wiersbe explains the cultural background noting that "There was a great deal of sexual laxness in the city of Corinth. It was a permissive society with a philosophy similar to that which the world has today: Sex is a normal physical function, so why not use it as you please? Paul pointed out that God created sex when He made the first man and woman, and therefore He has the right to tell us how to use it. The Bible is the “owner’s manual” and it must be obeyed. (Bible Exposition Commentary) In light of the Corinthians' "so great a salvation" [He 2:3-note] which brought new freedom/liberty in Christ [Ga 5:1, Jn 8:36 - Freedom in Christ is not the right to do as one pleases but the power to do as one should!], MacArthur feels that in this section, Paul exposed the error in the Corinthian Christians’ rationalization (argument) that they were free to sin (cp Paul's warning to the Galatian Christians - Ga 5:13), because it was covered by God’s grace (cp Ro 5:20-note, Ro 6:1, 2-note). Vine adds that "The idea of Christian liberty had been perverted by some in the assembly, as well as by opponents (cp Ro 3:8-note, Col 2:8-note, Col 2:23-note), and had been made an excuse for license (cp Jude 1:3). Accordingly, the apostle sets forth the true significance and scope of liberty in Christ and the character and purpose of the body of the believer. 1 Co 6:12 All things are lawful for me (Speaks of one's freedom/liberty in Christ and may have been a slogan used in the Corinthian church to justify immoral behavior especially use of cult prostitutes in a culture where such behavior was readily accepted as a "religious" exercise in which one was simply visiting the "temple priestesses [prostitutes]"! Paul use of this phrase clearly does not legitimatize things that are sinful), but not all things are profitable (Some things might be allowable by God and yet not be profitable. So Paul lays down a principle that one must ask in light of our freedom in Christ - "Is it beneficial, expedient, good for my spiritual life?" cp Php 4:8-note; 1Th 5:21-note; Ro 12:9-note). All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (This should prompt the question "Will this activity enslave me?"). John MacArthur sees this statement by Paul (1Co 6:12) as referring primarily to sexual sin which was rampant in Corinth (and was tempting to the believer's in the context of the permissive Corinthian culture and their new found freedom/liberty in Christ) writing that… Sin has power. The word means “mastered” (cf. Ro 6:14-note), and no sin is more enslaving than sexual sin. While it can never be the unbroken pattern of a true believer’s life, it can be the recurring habit that saps joy, peace, usefulness and brings divine chastening and even church discipline (cf. 1Co 5:1ff.). See notes on 1Th 4:3, 4, 5-note. Sexual sin controls, so the believer must never allow sin to have that control, but must master it in the Lord’s strength (1Co 9:27). Paul categorically rejects the ungodly notion that freedom in Christ gives license to sin (cf. Ro 7:6-note; Ro 8:13-note, Ro 8:21-note). 1Cor 6:13 Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food (food is needed for the body and thus they are naturally suited one to the other and we are at liberty to use food), but God will do away with both of them (Food is lawful and profitable but its value is temporary and believers are not to live as if the greatest thing in life is to gratify their appetites [e.g., gluttony]). (Now Paul passes on to what is not lawful for the body and in fact is sin) Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body. Wiersbe feels that this was the second argument the Corinthians used to defend their freedom to frequent the temple prostitutes (the first being "All things are permissible"… including temple prostitutes!)… Their second argument was, “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats” (1Co 6:13). They treated sex as an appetite to be satisfied and not as a gift to be cherished and used carefully. Sensuality is to sex what gluttony is to eating; both are sinful and both bring disastrous consequences. Just because we have certain normal desires, given by God at Creation, does not mean that we must give in to them and always satisfy them. Sex outside of marriage is destructive, while sex in marriage can be creative and beautiful. (Bible Exposition Commentary) 1Cor 6:14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power (Reminding them of the greatness of their future tense salvation, that their bodies are destined for high honor, truth which should serve to motivate present progress in holiness). 1Cor 6:15 Do you not know (They did know) that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! 1Cor 6:16 Or do you not know (They did know) that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH." 1Cor 6:17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him (This "oneness" of Christ and believers reflects an inherent truth of our new covenant relationship with Christ. Paul learned something of this oneness of believers with Christ in his Damascus Road experience when Christ asked him "Why do you persecute Me?". Clearly Paul's persecution of believers who were in covenant oneness with Christ was treated by our Lord as persecution of Himself because of this mystical but real and vital union between the Head and His body. See The Oneness of Covenant). Flee - The present imperative is a command calling for all believers (flee = second person plural) to continually strenuously avoid the snares strewn about by variegated sexual temptations. You may be saying "This command was written some 2000 years ago. Paul was never tempted like we are today by the plethora of pornography pervading and perverting the internet!" That's true, but beloved, God's call to holiness (Lv 11:44, 45, 1Pe 1:15, 16-note) is always "in vogue" and fleeing the evil trap of pornography (in whatever form) is part of what it means to be continually pursuing holiness (He 12:14-note). Secondly, the well known aphorism (which is Biblical) reminds us that "What God commands, God enables!" Part of the problem is trying to fight the good fight in our own strength. You are correct if you are thinking but "I cannot". Indeed, You Cannot! Paul could not either! While Paul did not have access to the fantasy world of the internet, there was the very real world of real women, posing as religious priestess/prostitutes in a society where every man did what was right in his own eyes (cp Jdg 21:25-note). If we think morals are "loose" today (and they are, and are growing "looser"!), the morals of the Corinthian society were so depraved that they birthed a new verb "corinthianize" meaning to practice sexual immorality or engage in sexually promiscuous behavior! Such was the norm in Paul's day. And so Paul was tempted just as men today are tempted. And so the command remains in effect - Flee, which the English dictionaries say means to run away from danger or evil, scurrying to a place of security! (cp Pr 18:10-note) So believers today (primarily this addresses men, but women are not immune!) are charged to run away from email pornography spamming their computer, etc, etc. We are called to shun the evil and pursue that which is holy (1Pe 2:11-note), for we are being prepared for another world, a holy world, a forever world. And so we must acknowledge the weakness of our fallen flesh to even be able to flee (cp similar principle in Zech 4:6). Yes as believers we are commanded to continually work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Php 2:12-note), by fleeing, running, shunning, etc, from the strong temptations to gratify our God given desires. But beloved, praise God, we are not left to our own flesh driven mental ingenuity, but can (and must) trust God's Spirit to give us the desire and the power to run (Php 2:13-note, cp Ezekiel 36:27, Ro 8:13-note, Gal 5:16-note, Gal 5:17-note). The more I study these Scriptures, the more mysterious becomes the unarguable juxtaposition of man's (my) responsibility and God's sovereignty (His provision of everything necessary for life and godliness 2Pe 1:3-note). So let us continually surrender to the wooing of the Spirit, that we might be protected and enabled to fend off and run from the seductive wooing of the flesh. For the glory of His Name and the holiness of His Church, the Bride of Christ, who is to be making her wedding dress spotless by her righteous (God energized) deeds (cp Rev 19:7, 8-note; see Good Deeds). Now flee does not mean stay put and rationalize such a foolish course of action by saying "Steel is tempered by heat and thereby becomes stronger. I'll stand fast and become stronger by resisting the fiery temptation". Wrong! That is not Biblical and is a "surefire" guarantee for moral failure, dear believer! Yes, you are correct, God tells us to "Resist the tempter" (Jas 4:7-note) but not the "temptation" to sexual sin. Instead "flee from the temptress" (cp Pr 5:8-note, Pr 6:25-note; Pr 7:25-note). We are called not to a moderate degree of resistance to immorality, but to radical separation from it. The command says to "flee" not "flirt" with fornication! SEE ONLINE 252 PAGE BOOK FREELY AVAILABLE - At The Altar of Sexual Idolatry BY Steve Gallagher Vice is a monster of so frightful mien*, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace. (*Mien = air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality) Flee (escape) (5343) (pheugo) means to flee away in the sense of to take to flight in order to seek safety. To flee in the sense of to escape something, being made safe from danger by eluding or avoiding it (He 11:34-note, Mt 3:7, Acts 27:30). To flee in the sense of to avoid, shun (Webster says "shun" = to avoid deliberately and especially habitually), have nothing to do with (1Co 6:18). To vanish or disappear (Re 16:20-note, Re 20:11-note). Pheugo is the root of our English word "fugitive" defined as one who escapes from something or someone. CHRISTIAN MEN: FLEE FROM THE FIRE! Dear Christian reader (especially the men), are you being tempted to look at internet pornography? Let's be honest, it's pervasive, persuasive and pernicious! If any of us think we stand, we don't stand a chance! (cp 1Co 10:12) Sin is powerful and the old flesh is like smoldering coals just waiting for gasoline to be poured upon them to set them into full blaze! Men, when you barbeque, you don't put your hand in the flame to see how hot it is do you? Of course not, for you're smart enough to know you'll be burned, and can incur an injury that is incredibly painful as the fire burns down to the level of the cutaneous nerve endings (second degree burn). Now if you leave your hand in the fire too long, you actually burn even the nerve endings and lose all sense of pain (third degree burn), in one sense good in that it doesn't hurt anymore, but obviously indicative of a deeper, more serious and potentially even life threatening injury (because of propensity to infection, fluid loss, etc). Do you see where I am going (you can tell I'm a physician can't you)? Internet pornography is the "gasoline" and our old flesh nature is the "smoldering coal" in our physical body, just waiting to be "stoked" by even a few sensual images! (cp Job 31:1) And your heart (spiritually speaking) not your skin, is the target organ at great risk of damage! (cp Pr 4:23-note) With "second degree" exposure to the fuel of internet pornography, there is damage which includes considerable "pain" (I don't have to explain this I'm sure). But if you keep pouring fuel on the fire, eventually the "nerve endings" of your heart will be seared and you won't even "feel the pain" (or at least you are so deceived, you don't think your heart is being hurt! cp "deceitfulness of sin" He 3:13-note, Ro 7:11-note, Ep 4:22-note) (See Related Discussion: The Deceitfulness of Sin). This last state is worse than the first and it could even cost you your life, not to mention your marriage, your family, your reputation, etc! Paul, like a fire inspector, is saying to all Christian men "Don't try to test the flames to see if they are hot enough to burn you. Instead, flee the flame, lest you get severely burned, beloved!" (Related Resource: Act Like a Man on the Internet) Robertson and Plummer put it this way "'Do not stop to dispute about it; make a practice [present imperative] of flying at once.' So also of idolatry, which was so closely allied with impurity, (1Co 10:14). The asyndeton (omission of the conjunctions that ordinarily join coordinate words or clauses as in “I came, I saw, I conquered”) marks the urgency. cf. 1Th 4:3-note. (A critical and exegetical commentary - page 127) Ray Pritchard - In sexual temptation, the “way of escape” may only last a moment. The sad story of Samson reminds us of what happens a man keeps making the wrong choices. It’s too late to decide to do right when you wake up with your head in Delilah’s lap. At that point his doom was sealed. The same thing happens to any of us when we let our emotions drive our decisions. But for a moment, before you put the pedal to the metal and go wild, the way of escape is always there. That’s why the Bible tells us to “flee from sexual immorality” (1Corinthians 6:18) and “flee the evil desires of youth” (2Timothy 2:22). (From Temptation to Triumph by Dr. Ray Pritchard - November 1996) NIDNTT has the following excerpt on the use of pheugo in classic Greek - "(cf. Lat. fugere). From the time of Homer, its most common meaning is “flee”, “take flight”, whether absolutely, or from someone or something (Homer, Plato, Herodotus, etc.). The present and imperfect tenses often express only the purpose or endeavor to get away. Hence the compounds apopheugo, katapheugo, ekpheugo, or propheugo may be added to the participle pheugon in a sentence to denote the escape itself. The accusative (and occasionally the genitive) with pheugo specifies that which is being “shunned”, “escaped from”, or “avoided”-whether death and war (Homer), evil (Demosthenes), or the consequences of murder (Euripides). Metaphorically reins may “escape from” the hands of the charioteer. Because a person may flee his country, the articular participle refers to “the exile(s)” (Homer, Xenophon, Thucydides); and since such people may well have been banished, by a natural extension the active verb itself takes on the quasi-passive force of “be banished”, “be expelled” (Herodotus, Xenophon, Dinarchus). Similarly phuge comes to mean “exile”, “banishment”. In Attic Greek, both pheugo and apopheugo occur as law-terms. The pheugon is the defendant, as opposed to the diokon, the prosecutor; and pheugein graphen (or diken) means “to be put on trial”, while an added genitive (e.g. phonou, murder) specifies the charge. To escape the prosecutors therefore means “to be acquitted”. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan)