By Tope Banso
“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites… will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New King James Version).
Sexual immorality is getting worse in the world today. All forms of sexual immorality, including fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, pedophilia, bestiality, rape, and incest are being committed with reckless abandon, contrary to the Word of God.
Sexual immorality is not a sign of civilization or sophistication, as many think; it is actually a sign of depravity or corruption. Unfortunately, both Christians and non-Christians are guilty of this sin. No sexually immoral shall be exempted from its consequences except he or she repents. What are the consequences of sexual immorality?
1. It sends people to hell fire. The sexually immoral shall not enter the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 highlights the sins that will disqualify one from entering the Kingdom of God, and sexual immorality tops the list.
We see the same thing in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. It says, “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites… will inherit the kingdom of God” (New King James Version).
Also, in Revelation 21:8, the Bible says the sexually immoral, among others, shall have their part in the lake, which burns with fire and brimstone – the second death. Jude 7 reminds us of Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with sexual immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. They were destroyed by fire, and are a warning of the eternal fire that will punish all who’re evil.
2. It destroys fellowship with God. The sexually immoral are unacceptable to Him. Matthew 15:19-20 says sexual immorality and other sins will defile you and “make you unacceptable to God” (New Living Translation); but not eating with unwashed hands.
Except one repents, confesses and forsakes sexual immorality, it will rob one of the boldness to come before God ( Hebrews 4:16).
Unrepentant sinners can’t climb the mountain of the LORD or stand in His presence (Psalm 24:3-4). Sexual immorality stains the hands and garment of the believer; it creates a barrier between him and God.
Every repentant immoral person should cry like David did In Psalm 51:10-11: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (New King James Version). David is believed to have written this psalm after Prophet Nathan had confronted him with his sin of sexual immorality with another man’s wife, Bathsheba.
3. It defiles the body and opens it to demonic possession and oppression. Sexual immorality makes your body unholy. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, “God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honor — not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways” (New Living Translation).
Demons can possess or oppress human bodies through sexual immorality. Sexual morality is a sin against your own body.
Every sexual activity joins you as one in body with your sex partner. The many the sexual partners, the many the joining that takes place! That is the danger. That’s why those who have multiple sex partners live a life of self-inflicted confusion. They’re joined to different persons – one person with different bodies! (1 Corinthians 6:15-18). Unless they repent and pray for or go for deliverance, demonic activities in their lives will persist.
4. It robs the sexually immoral of peace and joy. No child of God can be living in sexual immorality and have peace of mind or joy. He is living in the fear of being found out by his wife, husband, fiancé or fiancée, brethren, neighbors, the husband or wife of the cheating partner.
He could be manifesting a strange attitude that a discerning person will know that something is wrong. It’s only as such a person persists in this sin that his conscience becomes hardened. Only genuine repentance, confession and forsaking the sin can restore his peace and joy.
This step must be taken no matter how difficult it seems. Concealing the sin won’t do any good; it makes one a prisoner and also weak to stop committing the sin. Proverbs 28:13 says anyone who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
In Psalm 51, David prayed to God, “Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice” (verse 8 New Living Translation). He also prayed, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit” (verse 12 New King James Version).
5. It destroys people’s destinies. Those who engage in sexual immorality, whether pre-marital, marital infidelity, homosexuality, lesbianism, rape, or masturbation, ruin their destinies. Unless they repent quickly, they won’t be able to fulfill the purposes of God for their lives.
The destinies of so many promising youths have been perverted by obsession for sex. They’ve wasted their youthful energies on sex (Proverbs 31:3). Samson is a case study. Delilah, a harlot, eventually terminated the twenty years of ministry of this great man of God. Alas, Samson died with his enemies! (Judges 16).
Reuben lost his place; he lost his inheritance as the first born, because of just few minutes of immoral sexual pleasure – he slept with his father’s wife/concubine (Genesis 35:22; 49:3-4).
Compare Reuben and Joseph. In Genesis 39:7-9, Joseph didn’t surrender his destiny to sexual pleasure offered him on a silver platter by his master’s wife. He refused to sleep with her saying, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Verse 9b New King James Version). It’s the fear of God that keeps one from all forms of evil, including sexual immorality (Proverbs 16:6b).
6. It destroys the home. Pre-marital sex robs those engaged in it of the pleasure of sex that God has reserved for marriage alone. They’ve seen it all! There’s therefore nothing new for them to really look forward to in marriage as regards sex. When such get married, there’s little or no appreciation of their spouses. They may never be sexually satisfied by their wives or husbands.
Marital infidelity erodes trust, causes conflicts and may lead to separation or eventual divorce (Matthew 5:32). So many homes have been torn apart today by sexual immorality. Hebrews 13:4 warns, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (New King James Version).
Beware of sexual immorality that may result from inappropriate closeness and emotional entanglement with the opposite sex – in your family, place of work, church, neighbourhood, etc. especially with those who’re sexually active including divorcees, widows/widowers, those in troubled marriages and those old enough to marry, but not yet married.
Never forget God’s warning in Proverbs 5:15-17: “Drink water from your own well — share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Don’t share it with strangers” (New Living Translation).
7. It exposes the sexually immoral to sicknesses and diseases, including STDs and HIV/AIDS. Some of these sicknesses could actually be spiritual, because the victims have slept with people who are agents of the devil in skirts and trousers! No medication can cure them; only the power of God can set them free.
Sicknesses can also be God’s judgment on the sexually immoral. In Revelation 2:20-23, God says He gave that woman, Jezebel, time to repent of her sexual immorality, but she didn’t. Therefore, He’ll, among other things, cast her into a sickbed.
Many have also contacted sexually transmitted diseases and are spending so much money on treatment while many will have to live the rest of their lives with HIV/AIDS except God heals them.
8. It opens the door to all kinds of tragedy, including premature death. This can be as a result of life threatening diseases contacted. It may also be as a result of physical or spiritual attacks from those who feel cheated by immoral sexual relationships or from the demonic spirit inhabiting either of the persons involved.
Some husbands, fiancés, boyfriends (or wives, fiancées, girl friends) are known to have resorted to self-help through diabolical means or physical violence to eliminate or inflict injury on those they considered intruders to their love relationships. Proverbs 6:26-29 captures the dangers of being involved with a prostitute.
Unfortunately, those committing sexual immorality are usually deceived by the devil and blinded by lust. Repent now of sexual immorality, including mental adultery (Matthew 5:28). Surrender your life to Jesus. Ask God for forgiveness and the power and grace to live a holy life henceforth.
Quit all sinful relationships, hangouts and practices immediately. Return to your spouse, seek forgiveness and be faithful. Feed on the Word of God daily. Flee from every temptation. Make yourself accountable to a servant of God or a mature Christian you can confide in, who can minister the Word of God to you, pray for you and with you and monitor your progress.
If you’re not born again, repent of your sins today and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. Whoever comes to Him, He will by no means cast out.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I repent of my sexual immorality. Forgive me LORD. I destroy the power of sexual immorality over my life in Jesus name. I shall abstain from sexual immorality henceforth in Jesus’ name.
This is wisdom for living, and it’s worth sharing. Please share.
(For over 260 in-depth and insightful messages by T.O. Banso, visit: www.cedarministry.org)
▪ Banso heads Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria
cedarministryintl@yahoo.com, cedarministryng@gmail.com
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