Fornication is illicit or unlawful sexual intercourse. In other words, it is sexual relations that is forbidden by God. God created man and woman and approves sexual relations only in marriage. Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Sexual relations outside of marriage is fornication or adultery. In the Bible, fornication sometimes includes adultery as the broad term for all illicit sexual intercourse. At other times, fornication is distinguished from adultery such that adultery is unlawful intercourse with the spouse of another and fornication is all other unlawful intercourse. In that case, fornication would include things such as intercourse with an animal, homosexual intercourse, and intercourse between unmarried persons.
Ephesians 5:3-6 “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” There are three items here – fornication, uncleanness and covetousness – which should not even be named among saints (Christians). Individuals who continue to commit these sins do not have any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. The wrath of God comes upon such individuals.
Today, fornication is generally accepted as no big thing. Many people live together without being married and think it is OK. Many years ago, this was not the case. It was a shame to commit fornication as well to have a child outside of marriage. In a recent American poll, 59 percent of adults ages 18 to 44 have lived with a partner outside of marriage at some point in their lives. 69 percent of Americans said that cohabitation was acceptable even if a couple didn’t plan to get married.
But God’s standards have not changed. Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is still fornication. It should not even be named among Christians. Fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God. The book of the Revelation states that the “sexually immoral … have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) It also states in Revelation 22:14-15 “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
To avoid sexual immorality, we should be married. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” It is difficult in this world to avoid lustful thoughts and to keep one’s self sexually pure. Some may have the gift to keep themselves pure and do not need to be married. To avoid sexual immorality, the rest of us should get married and fulfill our sexual desires in marriage.
There was sexual immorality in the Corinthian church. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles — that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” The writer goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves the evil person.’” Sexual immorality should not be accepted in the church.
They brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery to test Him. John 8:4-7 “They said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?’ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’” The accusers were convicted that they also were sinners so they left. John 8:10-11 “When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” Sexual immorality is a sin that can be forgiven. If you have been guilty of sexual immorality, repent and sin no more.
My encouragement to you is to flee sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I encourage you to glorify God in your body and in your spirit and keep yourself sexually pure.