The famous Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fornication as sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other.
This is a common phenomenon these days. People are comfortable staying with their boy/girlfriends without a marriage vow. Though it is rampant these days, it has its roots in centuries before now.
Jude 1:7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Contrary to popular belief, fornicating is a choice, not a mistake. Everyone is tempted and will be tempted, but we choose not to yield to the temptation if we fear God.
In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, sexual sin was condemned without an exception.
Jesus spoke strongly against sexual sin, calling it an “unclean thing” Matthew 15:19. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
What should I do if I have committed fornication?
Q. Does it mean If I had been a fornicator, I cannot be forgiven?
A: Absolutely not. You can be forgiven if you wholeheartedly repent.
God loves us all unconditionally and is willing to accept us anytime we run to him in need of help.
The first is to acknowledge it and second believe God for healing and turn a new page.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Here are some scriptures about it.
Consequences of fornication
It is easy for people to tell others to stop some habits. However, many people like to know why they should avoid it.
The Bible is littered with verses specifying God’s reason for us not to fornicate. Its a sin against him.
Surprisingly, the Apostle Paul categorically recommended believers to stay away from fornicators in his whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 6.
Let’s allude to 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul says, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
From that verse among others, we see that Paul through the Holy Spirit didn’t approve fornication. Committing this sin is sufficient to prevent someone from inheriting the kingdom of God.
This means it is a very serious matter.
Sexual sin is not just a physical act, but also a sin against our bodies. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
What does the Bible say about fornication?
Everything mentioned in the Bible is for our spiritual wellbeing. Abstaining from fornication doesn’t change God, but it affects our relationship with him.
Galatians 5:19
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.
Acts 15:20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints
Is idolatry different from fornication?
Some verses in the both Testaments, define fornication as idolatry.
Numbers 25:1
And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to commit fornication with the daughters of Moab.(Numbers 25:1)
Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry
Isaiah 23:17
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
Ezekiel 16:26
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
Where does fornication begin?
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders”.
It is easy to think if you haven’t done the physical sexual action then you are not guilty. Fornication starts from our thoughts. What we tolerate and entertain.
If you invest time watching pornography, watching TV shows or movies with naked scenes or looking at pictures of naked people, the thought will naturally creep in.
Thus, disciplining ourselves to not read erotic books or magazines is a safe way to prevent us from nurturing fornicating thoughts.
Acceptably, there are situations where we might see a lady or guy indecently dressed on the street and feel tempted to consider sexual sin, but we are expected in such situations to honour God instead of the temporary pleasure.
Job was called a devout man partly because he decided in his heart to not sexually sin against God.
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
There are several interesting artciles on different spiritual topics here.
