Fornication

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-15-2025

1 Corinthians 6:13-20

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Tonight, I will deal with a subject that I do not like to preach on but is vital to the church.  We understand that fornication is a vile sin, but there are many vile sins mentioned in the Bible. 

 

B.  So, the question may be asked, “Why the emphasis upon fornication?”  God emphasizes the sin of fornication, not this pastor. For me to skip preaching on fornication would be a dereliction of duty! 

 

C.  The Bible has much to say about this particular sin, and we need to both understand the devastation of fornication and how to stay away from it and its effects. 

 

D.  Fornication has become one of America’s most significant problems.  Many things have changed over the past millennia that have led us to where we are tonight.

 

1.  The breakup of America’s homes.  I heard a young man say that “marriage would die with the older generation.”  In many ways, he was right.  Within the bounds of marriage, God approved of the physical relationship of husband and wife.

 

2.  A lack of biblical teaching on the subject and parents “farming out” their children to wicked public schools that revel in unbiblical sexual principles such as free sex, transgender, etc.

 

3.  Immodesty in dress portraying women and men as sex symbols.

 

4.  Advertising using sensuality and nudity.

 

5.  What was once hidden became openly displayed.

 

E.  The First Mention of the physical union of a man and woman tells us all that we need to know on the subject, though there are many others found across the Bible’s pages.

 

Genesis 2:24-25  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  (25)  And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

 

Genesis 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

 

1.  I will give two complementary passages found in the New Testament.

 

Matthew 1:24-25  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:  (25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.  (There is much false doctrine taught about the “Virgin Mary’ that the Bible clearly dispels.  She did not remain a virgin until after the birth of Christ. Joseph “knew” his wife and multiple children were born to this natural union of husband and wife.

 

2. The Bible explains God’s mind on the union of husband and wife in the Book of Hebrews.

 

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

F.  Fornication defined: porneia - por-ni'-ah, a root word for pornography.  This includes adultery, harlotry, incest, and sex outside of marriage.  The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman; the gratification of sexual appetites without respect to marriage or the necessity of God's approval."

 

1.  The Single Man With A Single Woman – Proverbs 2:1-22

        

2.  The Married Adult With A Single Woman – Proverbs 5:1-23

 

3.  The Single Adult With A Married Woman – Proverbs 6:20-35

 

4.  The Young Man With An Older Married Woman – Proverbs 7:1-27

 

G.  Morality has dropped to an all-time low.

 

1.  Purity is almost a thing of the past.

 

2.  Our society has been bombarded by:

 

                              a)  T.V. and Hollywood

 

                              b)  Magazines and newspapers

 

                              c)  Department Stores (ladies' departments with their pornography)

 

                              d)  Schools (sex education by ungodly teachers and textbooks)

 

3.  Fornication proceeds from an evil heart!

 

Matthew 15:18-19  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

 

H.  Fornication – why the emphasis?

 

1. The Problem of Fornication.

 

          a.  Fornication is a sin against the body – 1 Corinthians 6:18

 

                    1)  The body has been bought – 1 Corinthians 6:20

 

2)  The body will be delivered – 1 Corinthians 6:13-14  (It will be changed, but it is still your body) - Philippians 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  (Change it, not do away with it)

 

1 Corinthians 15:42-44  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

 

          b.  Fornication is a breach of love and trust – 1 Corinthians 7:2-4

 

1)  We are espoused to Christ - 2 Corinthians 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

 

2)  Our body is the property of Christ – 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

 

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

          c.  Fornication brings about a wound and disgrace – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

Proverbs 6:33  A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.   

 

Romans 1:24  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

                   

2.  The Prevention of Fornication

 

a.  Spiritual Wisdom From God’s Word - Proverbs 6:22-24  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:  To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

 

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

 

1 Corinthians 6:18  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

 

b.  Spiritual Discernment – 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.  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 

 

c.  Spiritual Eyes - Matthew 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 

d.  Spiritual Minds - 2 Corinthians 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

Isaiah 26:3  Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Abstain From Fornication

Temple Baptist Church - 9-27-2015

1 Thessalonians 4:1-3; Genesis 2:20-25

Introduction:

A.  I find it enlightening that Paul, when speaking of sanctification, made specific mention of fornication.  Fornication is no longer a terrible sin in the eyes of the world or most churches.  At what is often called the First Jerusalem Council, the bible settles the subject of Law and Grace.  We are under grace and not law!  Here was the conclusion that these men of God came up with for the Galatian people.

Acts 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

B.  One of the sins that the bible emphasizes staying away from in the sin of fornication.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  (19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Ephesians 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

C.  Fornication is an especially devastating sin so I want to look at it for a few minutes.  If you want to discover what God intends on any particular subject, you must go to the first mention of it.  Rightly dividing the Word of Truth brings about doctrinal purity and doctrinal purity brings about spiritual help. 

D.  Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible.  One of the first principles that you learn in Bible Hermeneutics Class is the Law of First Mention.  "God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God."

E.  In Genesis 2:20-25, we find the first man, the first woman, the first marriage, the first joining, the first conception, etc.  God’s intent was this:  one man, one woman, one relationship, one lifetime!  GOD HAS NEVER VARIED FROM THIS STANDARD!

1.  God’s standard rebukes sodomy.  It is not one man and one man!  It is not one woman and one woman!  It is one man and one woman!

2.  God’s standard rebukes fornication!  It is not relationships plural!  It is one man, one woman, and one relationship!

3.  God’s standard rebukes polygamy!  It is not one man and several women!  It is not one woman and several men!  It is one man and one woman for one lifetime!

4.  Is this popular teaching and preaching in our day?  NO!  Because fornication is both prevalent and popular in our day.  There is no longer shame for either losing one’s purity or choosing to live together while unmarried.

5.  Is this right teaching and preaching in our day?  YES!  God has never changed His mind on the subject and neither should we!  The Supreme Court did not change God’s mind, God’s Word, or God’s judgment!

F.  One of the most prevalent sins of our day is fornication. 

1.  Young people lose their purity at earlier and earlier ages.  Marriage is not the first choice of many as they choose living together as their first option.  I have had people get mad and leave our church because I would not put up with it. 

2.  Older people have lost their values.  So called Christian parents not only accept this particular sin but also approve of it by helping the young, sinful couple to set up housekeeping.  I want to help our young people as well as you older folks concerning the subject of fornication. 

FORNICATION - voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other.

G.  The world is pushing sex in almost every aspect of life.  Satan is constantly bombarding society on virtually every front perverted sexual behavior. 

1.  Pornography.  We consider pornography as adult magazines, adult movies, porn sites on the internet, etc. but it is much more diverse than these areas. 

2.  We are bombarded at Wal-Mart, the grocery store, public events, billboards, newspapers, J.C. Penny and Sears catalogues, and the list goes on.  What you now see in public places was once found only in men’s magazines.  Both women and men dress either provocatively or half naked in public.

3.  Now, we have gotten comfortable with these images of both male and female that were once classified as sinful!

H.  In Genesis 2, we find three phrases that I want to look at for a few minutes by way of introduction: 

1.  “cleave unto his wife – Cleave – to stick or to adhere to, to unite closely, strong attachment, to bond.  Marriage is bonding!  We use the term “bonds of holy matrimony.”

Psalms 102:5  By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

Psalms 137:6  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

2.  “one flesh” – one, not two!  Marriage is not a selfish act but a selfless act!

Matthew 19:5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

3.  “both naked…not ashamed”  The beauty of the physical relationship is within the bond of marriage.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

I.  Fornication is one of the few sins that draws this formidable warning:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  (19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (Satan slowly tantalizes the flesh with the desire for fornication while God commands you to flee!)

Proverbs 7:21-24  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.  22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;  23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.  24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

J.  There was a time when men kept their hands off of the women.  Even in church, parents made them sit with a song book between them.  The Bible declares that it is not good for a man to touch a woman.  I want to look at several things that fornication does to the believer:

1.  Fornication Causes A Loss Of Innocence Never To Be Regained – As was with Adam and Eve in the garden, innocence is lost.  There is the permanent realization that purity is gone and cannot be regained.  God gave to every young person a very special gift:  innocence and purity!

2.  Fornication Brings About A Guilty Conscience – You will never look at yourself the same again.  Others may never find out but you will always know and the reminders that are many will be painful.  You will have a lifetime of sorrow to contend with.

3.  Fornication Exposes To The Possibility Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases – You will never know for sure that the other person that you were involved with has not had sexual relations before.  STD is rampant in our society and many such diseases are incurable.  Explain that to you future husband or wife!

4.  Fornication Defiles The Beauty Of Marital Sex – Pre-marital sex cheapens the act and will cause you to look at both it and your intended mate in a different light.  Fornication will cause you to both act and react in a defiled way.  It will damage your relationship with either your husband of wife.

5.  Fornication Brings Innocent Children Into This World – The world is full of young, unwed mothers and fathers.  The young parent’s carefree childhood is gone as they enter into the world of adulthood before they become adults.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  10  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth arevanity.

6.  Fornication Is A Sin Against The Temple Of The Holy Ghost – The Spirit of God lives within each believer and is subjected to our sin.  He is joined to you and you are joined to another!

1 Corinthians 6:16  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Conclusion:  Much more could be said but I believe that there is enough in this message for us all to get THE MESSAGE!  Flee fornication and you will be wise.

How To Stay Pure

Temple Baptist Church - 8-16-2009

Proverbs 7:1-27

Introduction: A few weeks ago, I preached a message on Fornication: Why Not To Commit It. Now I want to preach on Fornication: How Not To Commit It. Often we tell people what not to do without telling them how to avoid doing it.

A. There has been a great move in the past few years in churches to get young people to sign pledges of purity.

B. It is certainly an issue of great important in an impure society. (By some estimates, over 60% of teenagers have lost their purity before High School graduation.)

C. Many times young people sign these purity pacts, but are not shown from the Bible how to remain pure.

1. Failure To Remain Pure Will Destroy Your Testimony - 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

a) Impurity Tarnishes Your Character
b) Impurity Destroys Your Health
c) Impurity Shames Your Family
d) Impurity Hurts Your Church

Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

2. Failure To Remain Pure Will Haunt Your Conscience - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

3. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hurt Your Marriage (Feelings Of Guilt Will Hurt Your Relationship With Your Spouse Because That Which Belongs to Them Has Been Given To Another)

1 Corinthians 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

4. Failure To Remain Pure Will Hinder Your Effectiveness (You Will Always Have An Instant Replay)

Job 20:11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust.

Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Proverbs 7:1-27

A. The Description Of The Foolish – vs. 7

1. He Was Simple – Simple means foolish! - Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

2. He Lacked Discernment – 7 – “young man” - A lack of perception! - Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

3. He Was Void Of Understanding – He did not understand at all! - Psalms 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

B. The Descent Of The Foolish – vs. 8-9

1. He Knew Where She Lived – “her corner”
2. He Went To Where She Lived – her house”
3. He Did So On A Continual Basis – “twilight…evening…black and dark night” (His failure was progressive)

C. The Description Of The Seductress – vs. 10-12

1. Her Dress Was Seductive – “attire of an harlot”
2. Her Heart Was Subtle – “subtile of heart” – Deceptive
3. Her Attitude Was Rebellious – “loud…stubborn…abide not”
4. Her Kind Is Everywhere – “without…streets…every corner”

D. The Deceiving Of The Foolish – vs. 13-21

1. She Caught Him – vs. 13 - He was looking for her!

2. She Kissed Him – vs. 13 - Kisses are reserved for those who you love, not for strangers! This was the kiss of betrayal – Amasa, Judas

3. She Lied To Him – vs. 14-15 – She pretended to be right with the Lord!

4. She Tempted Him – vs. 16-21

a) Her Preparation – vs. 16
b) Her Perfume – vs. 17
c) Her Performance – vs. 18 – The pretense of love!
d) Her Persuasion – vs. 19-21 – You won’t get caught!
e. The Destruction Of The Foolish – vs. 22-27
1. Blinded To Sin – vs. 22
2. Blinded To Judgment – 22-23

A WONDERFUL ADMONITION – vs. 24-27

A. Fornication Is A Sin That Proceeds From A Wicked Heart - Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

B. Fornication Is A Sin Against The Body - 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

C. Fornication Is A Sin That God Judges - Colossians 3:5-6 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

HOW TO STAY PURE!

1. Keep your thoughts pure - Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2. Keep your eyes pure - 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. (Stay away from pornography!)

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

3. Make sure you keep the right company - Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (Birds of a feather! Show me your friends and I will tell who you are!)

4. Stay away from areas of compromise. (Being alone with others of the opposite sex.) abstain for all appearance.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (If it does not glorify God, leave it alone!)

5. Listen to your parents and pastor and seek their guidance - Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: (They love you and only want the best for you!)

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (I will be a real friend to you if you will let me!)

6. Hide the Word of God in your hearts - Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Either this Book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this Book!)

7. Commit to purity from this day on - Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? (Purity is both DESIRE and DETERMINATION!)

The Effects Of Fornication

Temple Baptist Church - 7-26-2009

Genesis 2:20-25

Introduction:

A. If you want to discover what God intends on any particular subject, you must go to the first mention of it. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth brings about doctrinal purity and doctrinal purity brings about spiritual help.

B. Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible. One of the first principles that you learn in Bible Hermeneutics Class is the Law of First Mention. "God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God."

C. In Genesis, we find the first man, the first woman, the first marriage, the first joining, the first conception, etc. God’s intent was this: one man, one woman, one relationship, one lifetime! GOD HAS NEVER VARIED FROM THIS STANDARD!

1. It is not one man and one man! It is not one woman and one woman! It is one man and one woman!

2. It is not relationships plural! It is one man, one woman, and one relationship!

3. It is not one man and several women! It is not one woman and several men! It is one man and one woman for one lifetime!

4. Popular teaching and preaching in our day? NO!

5. Right teaching and preaching in our day? YES! God has never changed His mind on the subject and neither should we!

D. One of the most prevalent sins of our day is fornication. Young people lose their purity at earlier and earlier ages. Marriage is not the first choice of many as they choose living together as their first option. I have had people get mad and leave our church because I would not put up with it. So called Christian parents not only accept this particular sin but also approve of it by helping the young, sinful couple to set up housekeeping. I want to help our young people as well as you older folks concerning the subject of fornication.

FORNICATION - voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other.

E. I love our young people so “hang on” this morning and “suffer the word of exhortation.”

F. The world is pushing sex in almost every aspect of life. Satan is constantly bombarding society on virtually every front perverted sexual behavior.

1. I may preach one night on the subject of “Pornography.” We consider pornography as adult magazines, adult movies, porn sites on the internet, etc. but it is much more diverse than these areas.

2. We are bombarded at Wal*Mart, the grocery store, public events, billboards, newspapers, J.C. Penny and Sears catalogues, and the list goes on. What you now see in public places was once found only in men’s magazines.

3. Now, we have gotten comfortable with these images of both male and female that were once classified as porn!

G. In Genesis 2, we find three phrases that I want to look at for a few minutes by way of introduction:

1. “cleave unto his wife – Cleave – to stick or to adhere to, to unite closely, strong attachment, to bond. Marriage is bonding! We use the term “bonds of holy matrimony.”

Psalms 102:5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

Psalms 137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

2. “one flesh” – one, not two! Marriage is not a selfish act but a selfless act!

Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

3. “both naked…not ashamed” (The beauty of sexual relationship is within the bond of marriage.)

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

H. Fornication is one of the few sins that draws this formidable warning:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (Satan slowly tantalizes the flesh with the desire for fornication while God commands you to flee!)

Proverbs 7:21-24 With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. 22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; 23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life. 24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

I. There was a time when men kept their hands off of the women. Even in church, parents made them sit with a song book between them. The Bible declares that it is not good for a man to touch a woman. I want to look at several things that fornication does to the believer:

1. Fornication Causes A Loss Of Innocence Never To Be Regained – As was with Adam and Eve in the garden, innocence is lost. There is the permanent realization that purity is gone and cannot be regained. God gave to every young person a very special gift: innocence and purity!

2. Fornication Brings About A Guilty Conscience – You will never look at yourself the same again. Others may never find out but you will always know and the reminders that are many will be painful. You will have a lifetime of sorrow to contend with.

3. Fornication Exposes To The Possibility Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases – You will never know for sure that the other person that you were involved with has not had sexual relations before. STD is rampant in our society and many such diseases are incurable. Explain that to you future husband or wife!

4. Fornication Defiles The Beauty Of Marital Sex – Pre-marital sex cheapens the act and will cause you to look at both it and your intended mate in a different light. Fornication will cause you to both act and react in a defiled way. It will damage your relationship with either your husband of wife.

5. Fornication Brings Innocent Children Into This World – The world is full of young, unwed mothers and fathers. The young parent’s carefree childhood is gone as they enter into the world of adulthood before they become adults.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

6. Fornication Is A Sin Against The Temple Of The Holy Ghost – The Spirit of God lives within each believer and is subjected to our sin. He is joined to you and you are joined to another!

1 Corinthians 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Conclusion: Much more could be said but I believe that there is enough in this message for us all to get THE MESSAGE! Flee fornication and you will be wise.