Selie Visa Bible passage: "Flee sexual immorality! Every sin a person commits is outside of the body - but the immoral person sins against his own body. 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? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." -- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 1. Sexual sin is different: People think all sins are the same, but this verse states something very different. Paul is making it very clear that sexual sin is uniquely in its own category. Every other sin is outside the body, but sexual sin is a sin against your own body. Paul is not necessarily saying that sexual sin is the worst sin. He is simply stating that it is very different from other sins. It is a sin that can destroy the person from the inside out - body and soul. Also, by partaking in sexual sin with another, we are guilty of destroying not only our own body, but that of the other person too. This uniquely destructive quality of sexual sin is why Paul says we must flee from it. 2. Our bodies belong to the Redeemer: As Christians, our bodies are no longer our own. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 20 we read, "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? For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." "You know that from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors you were ransomed - not by perishable things like silver or gold, but by precious blood like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, namely Christ." -- 1 Peter 1:18-19 Man is sold under sin as a slave; shut up under condemnation and the curse. But we have bought by the blood of Christ which is far more precious than gold and silver. The blood of Jesus is about breaking the barrier of hostility and making peace. The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross have reconciled us with God. Since we have been redeemed by his blood we now belong to him. 3. The sexually immoral and homosexuals: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God." -- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Leviticus 18 gives a comprehensive account of sexual behaviors or relations which are detestable to God. These includes adultery with another man's wife, sleeping with father's wife, sleeping with daughter-in-law, sex between the same gender, marrying both a woman and her mother, sexual relations with an animal and marriage with own sister. In verse 13 it says, "If a man has sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves." There are similar stern warnings of abomination in Leviticus 20, which deals with family life and sexual prohibitions. "No man is to approach any close relative to have sexual intercourse with her. I am the Lord." -- Leviticus 18:6 "If a man has sexual intercourse with a male as one has sexual intercourse with a woman, the two of them have committed an abomination. They must be put to death; their blood guilt is on themselves." -- Leviticus 20:13 4. God's formula of marriage: God's formula of marriage is 1 male + 1 female = 1 flesh. This is the natural order of relationship between a husband and a wife. Any other man-made formula is unnatural and an abomination in the sight of God. Sex is a beautiful gift of God and is strictly meant for couples within wedlock. It is sacred. Marriage is ordained by God. Sex is designed for procreation, enjoyment and development of the bond of intimacy between a husband and a wife. Never misuse this special gift of God by indulging in pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex and sex between the same gender. Keep your bodies pure, free from defilement by sexual immorality and glorify him with your bodies.