Sexual immorality was the cultural norm in first century Greece as it has become increasing so in North America these past decades. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 is a key text that unfolds the reasons for meeting sexual desires according to the Bible — the “Owner’s Manual.” Consider the biblical counsel for sexual purity and the supporting reasons.

Biblical counsel:

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel [physical body] in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter [through fornication or adultery], 1 Thess. 4:3-6a NKJV

Biblical reasons:

“because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us [believers] His Holy Spirit.” 1 Thess. 4:6b-8 NKJV

The Grace and Truth Study Bible observes:

The three exhortations are supported by three grounds or reasons for conduct. The first reason is the future judgment of the Lord Jesus (v. 6b). This language points to the return of Christ and whom he will welcome into his kingdom and whom he will not. Hebrews 13:4 AMPC: “Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear).
The second reason is the past call of God (1 Thess. 4:7). God has called us to be holy as he is holy (1 Pet. 1:16).
The third reason is the present gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 4:8).
The Thessalonian Christians are the new covenant community (Ezek. 37:27). Paul’s ground for sexual purity is the Trinity—the judgment of Jesus, the holiness of the Father, and the presence of the Spirit.

May this biblical counsel support our spiritual calling to live live according to sexual ethics—especially as these are counter-cultural.

JBW

Shepherd & Associates produced a videos series by Dr Earl and Sandy Wilson. They title their project Tuff Stuff Ministries. Here is their ministry description:

“Our prayer is that you will find the path to hope & healing in our videos. God called Sandy and me to minister to people in crisis resulting from pornography and other forms of sexual entanglements. These invariably bring pain & destruction. After having lived for the Lord for many years I became entangled in my own sexual sin which reached addictive proportions, and my sinful choices put in jeopardy all the things I claimed to be dear. True repentance became the foundation for a prolonged period of emotional & spiritual healing leading to recovery and restoration.”

“As Sandy walked through Earl’s betrayal, she discovered that resources were severely lacking. Because of her journey, she is now passionate about providing help for women who have been betrayed. Earl’s & Sandy’s experiences and their willingness to be vulnerable combined with their training makes their videos powerful tools for ministry.”

Their videos are at https://www.youtube.com/@tuffstuffministries7327

Here is a sample from Earl:

Freedom Counsel

Proverbs is a handbook for timeless wisdom. Many have used the method of reading a chapter for each day of the month.

Consider freedom insights in this chapter 23. Consider these excerpts and added comments.

“… Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.” Prov. 231b,2a

When needed, exercise bold self control!

“My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.” Prov. 23:15,16

When you apply wisdom to your life, you also give joy to your parents and spiritual leaders.

“Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.
Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags…Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Prov. 23:19,20,21,23

It is wise to abstain from company of those in a sensuous lifestyle (inclusing imaginary association by viewing videos), which leads to losses.

“My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.” Prov. 23:26-28

The way of wisdom is to turn your heart to the Lord and what is good. Pornography (which is a form of prostitution) leads to enslaving habits, like being stuck in a deep pit or stuck upside down in a narrow well!

“Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the [h]midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” Prov. 23:29-35

Being “under the influence” of alcohol, or dopamine (a pleasure hormone released in the brain from the superstimulation of porn) leads to sorrow, injuries, and senseless addiction.

For a contemporary summary of ten harmful effects of porn (from a secular agency), see
fightthenewdrug.org/10-reasons-why-porn-is-unhealthy-for-consumers-and-society/

Let’s heed this biblical and contemporary freedom counsel as we pray, “…deliver us from evil.”

JBW