Sexual Immorality and Its Impact (it’s not just nudity); and it’s Not ONLY a Male Issue
The human destruction of sexual immorality is alive and steamrolling the masses. It is not just men... Sexual immorality destroys the individual and has the air squeezing power to suck the life out of families. Scripture presents sexual sin as exceptionally damaging because it is “a sin against one’s own body.”
We know that the body we are provided with is the temporary residence of our soul and image of GOD’s Spirit. The Bible calls that, “the temple of the Holy Spirit’. With that in mind, violating sexual boundaries tears down spiritual health and identity. Men? Women? Would you all agree?
Sexual immorality refers to “any sexual behavior or activity that falls outside the boundaries of a marriage covenant between one man and one woman”, often defined by the Greek term porneia.
It is, of course, waaaaaaay more than that.
However, it includes adultery, premarital sex (fornication), pornography, and many forms of sexual abuse, generally considered to be sins against the body.
Are you trapped there? Are you sneaking and/or walking boldly in and out of this life-sucking arena. You and I may presume we are unscathed, but we are not.
To repeat… “The Greek definition’s derivation in Scripture is porneia.” This term covers a wide range of sexual sins, including sexual impurity, prostitution, and incest, and any sexual activity outside the sacred, monogamous union of a man and a woman.
When our minds have an image of something attractive, lust can be born from that very memory. Sexual sin begins internally before it becomes an outward act. Lust does not require a new picture, a new person, or a new temptation. It can grow from something already stored in the mind. The mind (certainly MY mind) replays what the heart ‘desires’.
If you recall, Jesus taught that lust begins in the heart, not the eyes alone. Even if the physical sight is gone, the memory remains, and the mind can replay it (certainly MY mind).
Here are the usual steps that can take place once an old or previous image pops in:
→ becomes a thought
→ becomes a meditation
→ becomes desire (lust)
This should harken back to what I said earlier concerning how “sexual sin affects the inner life before the outer one”.
What does THAT mean?
It means, the imagination can create or recreate a simple thought that started from a earlier picture. The human mind is a powerfully helpful and dangerous thing. It can:
Rebuild past experiences
Recreate former images
Reignite old desires
Sin can be triggered internally even without new external input. Temptation becomes stronger when imagination is allowed to “hold” an image.
Yeshua extended the definition to include lustful intent in the heart. There will always be a spiritual and physical impact! The Bible portrays these acts as "sins against the body" that can destroy a person's spiritual health and violate the sanctity of the human body. How is that? Lust develops in the core of a person before the body acts on it.
Consider lust as a corrosion on metal. It functions in a similar manner in how it destroys a person:
…breaks the unity between body and spirit
…corrupts the conscience
…produces guilt, shame, and emotional fragmentation
…diminishes the sense of sacred identity
…opens the door to addictive patterns
Once again… Lust and sexual sin are NOT just a man issue or fight. Sexual immorality is therefore not just a moral failure but a destructive force working inwardly.
Here are some Hebraic Terms you may find useful for a deeper understanding of this Subject Matter. Some are used in the TANAKH (OT):
Zanáh — “to commit fornication or be unfaithful or engage in illicit sexual behavior.” As you can see, this particular usage of this word describes adultery, prostitution, or covenant unfaithfulness (both literal and metaphorical).
NOTE: Woven in are the acts of harlotry and sexual wrongdoing and is seen in the imagery of the heralding prophets’ warnings to describe unified Israel’s spiritual “unfaithfulness.”
Erváh — In the Book of Leviticus (chapter 18), this word is used and described as “nakedness or improper exposure”. However, it points out the many forbidden sexual relationships the Nation was intertwining with from the neighboring peoples.
NOTE: This is a VERY strong term, and not all sexual sins fall into this category. The ones that do are labeled as being “detestable and an abomination.”
I will attempt to wrap this in a nasty bow. Why? Sexual sin is not pretty. Its sin, and some are abominable.
Sexual immorality is not ONLY defined by “porn + pictures.” It’s NOT. Pornography is but one expression, but the Biblical concept is far deeper. In a nutshell, it is dealing with behaviors that violate GOD’s design for sex and relational holiness.
We need the restoration that comes through confession and repentance. The "reproach" of sexual sin can be washed away, allowing for a "fresh start" and the recovery of a holy life.
Even though sexual sin carries deep spiritual and emotional consequences, Scripture NEVER leaves the repentant soul without hope. GOD’s Word emphasizes that sexual sin harms the body and spirit, but it also teaches that GOD provides a path to healing and renewal.
What is reality and not the lie? Our acknowledgement and subsequent confession remove the covering of shame.
When a believer confesses sexual sin before GOD, they bring darkness into the light. Yours and my confessions not only break the silence that keeps shame alive, but it dismantles the power of secrecy! Our truth will put us in line to associate the soul with His Truth.
NOTE: Confession does not inform GOD of what He does not know though. It helps us to start healing through reaching for and embracing help. Where sin brought destruction, GOD’s kindness, mercy and pity on us brings the tools for rebuilding.
NOTE: Restoration is not partial, it is complete. The same Righteous Judge Who we stand before is the SAME One Who restores. He stands ready to remove the reproach!
What once stained the conscience can be completely erased. What currently defines you and I can be eradicated TODAY!
What once defined a person no longer has authority. This is why Scripture repeatedly connects repentance with cleansing, renewal, and restoration.
Get some!