Is Fornication a Sin?
In an increasingly sexualized and perverse modern world of today, where casual relationships and sexual immorality are continually normalized, understanding God’s design for sex and the importance of maintaining sexual purity is more vital than ever.
That's why I wanna tackle one of the most frequently asked questions in christianity which is, is fornication a sin? Well, the Bible is outrightly clear about how God is against sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Galatians 5:19-21, Matthew 5:27-28 , 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 21:8, 1 Corinthians 5:1,Proverbs 6:32) All the sins that fall into the category of sexual immorality are those committed outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Fornication falls into this group. Fornication is sexual intercourse between people not married to each other. To understand the biblical view of fornication, it is essential to examine what the Bible refers to when it discusses sexual immorality. The Greek term often translated as “fornication” is porneia, which encompasses a wide range of sexual sins, including adultery, premarital sex, and other forms of sexual impurity. The reason why fornication is considered a serious offence against God is because It undermines the sanctity of the covenant of marriage.
See, sex is not merely a biological act but a profound expression of love and unity designed by God for the sanctity of marriage. Sex was God’s idea, as amazing as it is, he created it. But he never meant it to be outside the confines of marriage. He meant it to be between a married man and woman. In Genesis 2:24, we read,
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).
This verse shows God’s divine plan for marriage, where sexual intimacy serves to bond husband and wife, reflecting the unity that God intended for His creation. In Hebrews 13:4, which states,
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. ” (Hebrews 13:4).
This highlights the importance of maintaining purity within the confines of marriage and the need to honor the institution of marriage itself. This is the will of God for all believers. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 says,
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 in sanctification and honor, '(1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
Clearly, fornication undermines the will of God for us. God’s intention for sex also serves as a protective measure for individuals and relationships. By reserving sexual intimacy for marriage, God aims to shield believers from the potential heartache and complications that can arise from casual relationships. The rise of sexually transmitted infection is a great indicator that there are serious consequences when it comes to sexual sins. There are many people out there who through the act of adultery and tons of premarital sex have caught infections that they’ll never recover from as they live. A study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that men who cheat on their partners are nearly twice as likely to contract an STI compared to men in committed relationships.
In the scriptures we see that The Apostle Paul emphasizes the gravity of sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, he instructs believers to “flee from sexual immorality.”
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. '(1 Corinthians 6:18).
Furthermore, Galatians 5:19, he says
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness.(Galatians 5:19)
Here, Paul lists fornication among the acts of the flesh. He goes ahead to give a stern warning that anyone who lives to willfully practise the sins of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God in Galatians 5:21.
Remember as Christians we must not gratify desires of the flesh. We are called to put to death the desires of the flesh by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and live by the Spirit, in Galatians 5:16: which says
'So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16).
In Ephesians 5:3 Paul also instructs us that there should not even be a hint of sexual immorality for believers,
'But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Ephesians 5:3).
The warning about the seriousness of sexual sin inhibiting inheritance to the kingdom of God is also found a few verses from what i just quoted in Ephesians 5:5
Fornication, when practised unrepentantly leads to eternal separation from God. The word is very clear when it says,
1 Corinthians 6:9-10: 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
Part of becoming a Christian is understanding that your body was made to honor God, we are a new creation, bought by the price of the blood of Jesus.
…or you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:18-20).
More positively the scriptures say:
“And such were some of you But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” In 1 Corinthians 6:11a.
In this verse Paul is describing the transformation that occurred to those who were once sinners, how they turned from their former ways of living in darkness after being sanctified. They now live new lives in Christ. They do not walk in practising the sins that lead to eternal death in the lake of fire.
In Revelation 21;8 among those thrown to the lake of fire are fornicators,
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”' (Revelation 21;8).
This shows how God detests sexual immorality. Do not let this sin make you not inherit the kingdom of God.
We are called to be obedient to Christ, the bible reminds us in 1 John 2:6, we who say we are of Christ ought to live just like him,
'Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.(1 John 2:6).
And we all know that Christ lived a sexually pure life. Sexual purity reflects God’s desire for His people to live lives that honor Him. Engaging in fornication compromises your spiritual integrity and relationship with God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Paul writes,
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
This verse underscores the importance of self-control and holiness as integral aspects of the Christian life.
As Christians, maintaining sexual purity serves as a testimony to the world about the transformative power of God’s love and the importance of His teachings. In a society that is sex saturated, that often glorifies casual relationships and sexual immorality, choosing to uphold sexual purity reflects a commitment to living out our faith.
Romans 12: 1-2 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.'
Our standards are not the standards of this world.
For Christians, we must actively choose to pursue a path of righteousness. The bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God is faithful not to let us be tempted beyond what we are able to resist.
'No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it .(1 Corinthians 10:13).
Again in Titus 2:11-12, the word reminds us that we have the grace to say to all unrighteousness
'For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, '(Titus 2:11-12).
Isn’t this great news, that we have the power in us to say no to sexual immorality?
Perhaps you are wondering how can we shun any forms of sexual immorality, here are five ways we can overcome
1. Establish Boundaries: One of the most effective ways to shun fornication is by establishing clear boundaries in relationships. This includes setting physical boundaries to prevent situations that may lead to temptation. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 that we should not be in the company of the sexual immoral.
'I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people….(1 Corinthians 5:9-11).
Remember that bad company ruins good morals.
2. Seek Accountability: Surrounding oneself with a supportive community can significantly impact one’s ability to resist temptation. Engaging in accountability relationships with fellow believers fosters an environment of encouragement and mutual support. In James 4:7, we are reminded to
“submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”(James 4:7).
Seeking God’s strength and the support of others can help individuals navigate challenges more effectively.
3. Focus on God’s Word: Immersing oneself in Scripture can provide guidance and strength in resisting temptation. The Bible serves as a powerful tool for combating any thoughts and influences that may lead to fornication. Psalm 119:11 says,
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11).
Regularly study and meditate on God’s Word to align your thoughts and actions with His teachings. Christ is a true reflection of this as we see when he was tempted, Jesus countered all the temptations with the true word of God. The word is your sword of the spirit to fight all temptations. (Ephesians 6:17)
4. Prayer: I cannot insist enough on the great importance of prayer! Certainly a prayerless Christian is a weak Christian. Daily prayer and reflection will help you remain grounded in your faith. Christ reminded the disciples to watch and pray
Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation…
Prayer fosters intimacy with Him and strengthens one’s desire to honour God, when we draw near to God, he draws near to us. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to
“not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”(Philippians 4:6-7 ).
Ultimately, shunning fornication is an act of obedience to God and a commitment to living a life that reflects His love and holiness. It requires intentionality, accountability, and a willingness to embrace the life God has designed for His children. In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong when it comes to sexual conduct, understanding the biblical view of fornication is crucial for Christians. The Bible teaches that fornication is a sin and the wages of sin is death. By understanding God’s intention for sex and the importance of sexual purity, we are better equipped to navigate the challenges of a culture that often promotes immorality.
As Christians, we are called to honor God through our choices and to live lives that reflect His love and holiness. By shunning fornication and embracing sexual purity, we can experience the fullness of God’s blessings in our lives, relationships, and ultimately, our walk with Him.
