Daily Lesson for Thursday 23rd of July 2026
Paul’s affirmation that the body “is the temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV) occurs in the context of a warning against sexual immorality. Being a temple of the Spirit is the only means to live a holy life. The church is a Christian community that distinguishes itself from the surrounding environment. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit that makes it possible.
Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9. How does this passage shed light on how one can put into practice the commandment to “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18, ESV)?
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There are significant lessons about sexuality in 1 Corinthians 7:1-40. Roughly speaking, this chapter can be divided up into two sections: (1) instructions regarding marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-24) and (2) instructions regarding singleness (1 Corinthians 7:25-40). 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 helps us understand that speaking about sexuality is important and necessary.
However, when reading 1 Corinthians 7:1-40, we must remember that Paul is responding to specific questions related to issues in the church of Corinth. Otherwise, some statements could lead to the impression that he has a low view of marriage, which is not the case (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 1 Timothy 5:14; also Hebrews 13:4).
Remarkably, the command “flee from sexual immorality” in 1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV) is bracketed by the idea of joining Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17) and being a temple of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Is there a better way of fleeing from sexual immorality? Of course not.
Also, God created sex, but it is to be enjoyed in marriage alone. Sex is a privilege of those in a male and female marriage, the only kind sanctioned in the Bible.
When saying “flee from sexual immorality,” Paul may have in mind the story of Joseph (Genesis 39:6-18). The Bible says that before the lustful advances of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph “fled out of the house” (Genesis 39:18, ESV). This is mentioned no fewer than four times in Genesis 39:6-18. The Bible doesn’t say it directly, but it is implied that Joseph waited to have sex only in marriage (Genesis 41:45). He was a man filled with the Holy Spirit (Genesis 41:38) and wanted to do what was right before God’s eyes.
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How can we, as a church, protect ourselves from the aberrant views of sexuality that dominate the culture? |
