Three Overlooked Sexual Sins that Keep Us Out of the Kingdom
The topic of sexual sin is a difficult one because when someone realizes the truth, it may mean a major disruption in the lifestyle they are living. We pray you will hear what is said and prove all things, holding fast to that which is good.
It is common knowledge that those who commit adultery will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven unless they repent. But today there are forms of sexual relations that society and even churches accept. They have become so common that they are not even thought of as sinful. But those who practice such things will be barred from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you been deceived by one of these insidious sexual sins?
The society that surrounds us is obsessed with sex. Movies, books, videos, advertisements, and social media extol the pleasures of sexual relations and ridicule those who choose not to partake. What else can you expect from a world that emphasizes sensual gratification.
But, you, who are a truth seeker, do not become entangled in sexual sin. It’s easy to do and society won’t condemn you. Here’s three frequently overlooked sexual sins that must be forsaken.
Enjoying Sex with your Fiance. When we talk with people who are desiring to start a new life in Christ, they often don’t see anything wrong with living with their fiance. Many don’t even consider that they are committing the sin of fornication.
Today it is common for two people to move in together. We used to call this “shacking up” or “living in sin.” To help cover their sin, the two people call their partner their fiance. This implies that one of these days they’re going to tie the knot - make their relationship honest - elevate the woman above the status of whore. But this is often just a rouse.
They’re not actually planning to marry. But whether or not marriage is in the plans, they are still living in a continuous state of sin. Those having sex outside of marriage are under God’s condemnation. If this is you, you must repent of this sin against your own body.
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18
Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 1 Corinthians 6:13
What is your remedy? The obvious answer is to get married, if it is lawful for you to do so. If neither of you have ever been married, then you are free to marry each other.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2
Otherwise, if one or both of you have been previously married, you can’t marry. The reason - in God’s eyes you still have a living spouse.
To escape being condemned for fornicating, you must break up - go your separate ways. This is hard advice, but the salvation of your soul depends on not sinning.
Fornication, or sexual relations outside of marriage, is one of the works of the flesh, along with adultery. “They that do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21
By the way, if you are shacking up with someone of your own sex, even if you have a civil union, this is also a sin against your own body. Flee from all sex outside of marriage. The reason two men or two women cannot marry is that Jesus has defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. Matthew 19:4-6
And those of you who like math, one plus one equals one.
Enjoying Virtual Adultery
The internet has become a cesspool streaming filth out to those who choose to be entertained by pornographic sites. Pornography is a Trojan horse sin because it opens the door to many other sexual sins.
When we view sexual acts on the television or internet, this elicits sexual arousal in our flesh, which is lust. Jesus equates lust with adultery:
But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28
If you give into the temptation to become aroused again by the people you see on the screen, you soon become sexually addicted. It is this secret lusting for what God has forbidden that prevents you from overcoming this powerful stronghold:
For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. John 3:20
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:14-15
Virtual sex is like a cancer to the soul. Here are some personal steps you can take to help guard against temptation.
If you are married, confess your sin to your wife. This is essential because viewing pornography is betraying your wife and causing alienation of affection. This is very painful, but it must be done. Once you have confessed your weakness, your wife can help hold you accountable. If you are not married, look for a friend, in person or online, who you are answerable to on a regular basis.
The old Catholic adage applies: “Stay away from the persons, places, and things that cause you to sin.” Remove yourself from every environment and situation where you can view pornography.
Take away all access to pornography on your computer, television, and smartphone. Get rid of everything that has to do with porn. Don’t leave any of it to tempt you. Empty and delete your search history and bookmarks.
Filter out pornography by using online tools that prevent accidental access when browsing the internet. Make sure pornography is not available to you on any electronic device in the house or at work.
Enjoying Sex with Someone Else’s Spouse
The third overlooked sexual sin is living with a divorced person. Some call this marriage, but God doesn’t. You may have gone to the civil or religious institutions to condone your marriage, but God sees it as committing adultery - on a continuous basis. If you have moved in with someone who has a living spouse or you have a living spouse, you do not have a godly marriage according to the teachings of Jesus.
Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Luke 16:18
One couple who thought they were in a God-ordained marriage, were shocked to learn that they were committing adultery because both of them had previously been married. The woman cried out to us in disbelief saying, “You mean all these years God has not heard our prayers because we were living in sin?”
She was referring to such scriptures as Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
After doing their own searching of the scriptures, they concluded that they must separate. It was agonizing for them, but once they made the commitment to no longer live in sin, the way opened for them. He let her have the house and he moved on to another town.
For more information on the topic of divorce and remarriage, check out our video entitled, “The Fornication Exception” linked in the description below.
Sexual sins are insidious and overlooked by many who are sincerely seeking to obey God. It takes a long time to come to the point that you want to definitely kill the sin within you, no matter what the cost. It is, however, one of the greatest moments in your life when you truly decide that sin must be crucified in you. No one else can bring you to this decision. You are the one that must be convinced.
Take some time alone with God. Are you ready to let His Spirit search you and point out the sin in your life? Make this important commitment, that sin in you must be put to death.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Wake up and repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
