The Bible has a lot to say about fornication, which is broadly defined as any sexual activity outside of marriage. Here is an overview of some key biblical principles and passages related to fornication:
Fornication is sinful
The Bible consistently presents fornication as sinful and contrary to God’s design for sexuality. For example:
“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)
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
These and other verses make it clear that God sees fornication as sinful and calls his followers to avoid it.
Sexual intimacy is reserved for marriage
Implicit in the Bible’s prohibition of fornication is the principle that the proper place for sexual activity is within marriage between a husband and wife. Passages like Hebrews 13:4 present marriage as the only God-approved context for sexual intimacy:
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”
This reinforces the importance of reserving sex for the sacred covenant of marriage.
Practical warnings against fornication
In addition to general principles and commands regarding fornication, the Bible also offers practical warnings about the consequences of sexual sin:
– It is morally corrupting: “Flee from sexual immorality…he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
– It can bring God’s judgment: “For because of these things the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience.” (Colossians 3:5-6)
– It can have lasting impacts: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
– It can lead to further degradation: “Their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature…they received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” (Romans 1:26-27)
These warnings illustrate how fornication is not just a victimless act but can have severe spiritual, emotional and physical consequences.
Examples of fornication
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list of what constitutes fornication, it does mention several examples of sexually sinful practices that qualify:
– Premarital sex: “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)
– Prostitution: “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral…nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality…will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
– Incest: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you…a man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1)
– Sexual idolatry: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry.” (Galatians 5:16-19)
So the Bible provides examples of unacceptable forms of sexual behavior that qualify as fornication.
Fornication’s roots in lust and covetousness
More broadly, the Bible presents fornication as being rooted in improper attitudes of lust and covetousness. Jesus himself connected adultery and fornication to matters of the heart:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
And the tenth commandment prohibits coveting anything that belongs to one’s neighbor, including his wife (Exodus 20:17). So the Bible sees issues like unrestrained lust and discontentment as being precursors to fornication.
Forgiveness and redemption are available
Despite Biblical warnings against fornication, the Bible also offers hope and restoration to those who have sinned sexually but repent and seek forgiveness. Paul reminds sexually immoral persons in Corinth:
“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.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
This demonstrates that while fornication is serious, God’s grace and forgiveness extend even to sexual sinners who repent.
Practical ways to avoid fornication
Given the gravity of sexual sin laid out in the Bible, it also prescribes practical helps for avoiding fornication:
– Flee temptation: “Flee from sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
– Control your body and mind: “Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)
– Find satisfaction in Christ: “Let us walk properly…not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality…but put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 13:13-14)
– Get married: “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)
– Renew your mind: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
So the Bible encourages proactive measures like self-discipline, finding contentment in God, marriage, and spiritual renewal of the mind as remedies to guard against fornication.
Marriage as God’s solution
As seen in several passages, a recurring Biblical solution to avoiding sexually immoral behavior is marriage between a man and woman. God created this sacred institution to provide a legitimate means for the fulfillment of human sexual desires:
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
In this way, the Bible presents the commitment of marriage as the healthiest outlet for sexual desires rather than attempting to suppress those desires completely. The other remedies should be undertaken with the ultimate goal of preserving oneself for this God-honoring context in marriage.
Key figures in Scripture linked to fornication
In demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of sexual sin, the Bible associates numerous key figures with fornication and details its impacts:
– Reuben slept with his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22)
– Judah solicited prostitution from his daughter-in-law Tamar disguised as a shrine prostitute (Genesis 38:15-18)
– Samson’s relationship with Delilah (Judges 16)
– David’s affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11)
– Solomon’s many foreign wives turned his heart from God (1 Kings 11:1-3)
– The fornication of thekingdom of Israel compared to adultery against God (Ezekiel 16:15-34)
These examples illustrate how widespread fornication was even among important Biblical figures, often leading to devastating results.
Teachings of Jesus regarding fornication
In the New Testament, Jesus reinforced God’s standards of sexual purity in his teachings:
– He equated lust with adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:27-28)
– Declared all sexually immoral acts as coming from within and defiling (Mark 7:21-23)
– Warned against temptation and sin leading others astray (Matthew 18:6-7)
– Called for faithfulness and vigilance by his followers (Luke 12:45-46)
Though his teachings on divorce indicate marital unfaithfulness as grounds for divorce, Christ always directed followers back to God’s original ideal for marriage and sexuality.
The Apostles’ warnings against fornication
The New Testament apostles frequently addressed sexual immorality in their letters to early churches as Christianity spread in pagan cultures:
– Paul chastised the Corinthians for approving of incest and warned them to flee fornication (1 Corinthians 5-7)
– Paul cautioned the Galatians and Colossians not to gratify fleshly desires (Galatians 5:16-21, Colossians 3:5-7)
– Paul instructed the Thessalonians on controlling their bodies honorably (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
– Peter exhorted living holy lives distinct from the pagan Gentiles who practised sexual sin (1 Peter 4:1-5)
– Revelation repeatedly depicted the judgment coming on the sexually immoral (Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:14-15)
The apostles called believers to refrain from conforming to the rampant sexual immorality of surrounding culture.
Connection between idolatry and fornication
As mentioned regarding sexual idolatry, the Bible often links the sin of fornication to the sin of idolatry – worshipping false gods. Examples of this connection include:
– The Israelites engaging in sexual rituals as part of Baal worship (Numbers 25:1-3)
– God equating Judah’s breach of covenant with him to prostitution (Ezekiel 16:15-34)
– God’s judgment on pagan nations being aimed at their idolatry and immorality (Micah 1:7, Nahum 3:4-7)
– TheGreat Babylon being judged for its excessive sensuality and seduction (Revelation 17-18)
In the Bible, idolatry and fornication often go hand in hand as sins that both offend God by giving his rightful glory to false gods or creation.
Blessings for sexual faithfulness
Along with sober warnings against fornication, the Bible also gives beautiful pictures of the blessings reserved for those who pursue sexual faithfulness:
– The rewarding intimacy between husband and wife (Genesis 2:24-25, Proverbs 5:15-19, Song of Solomon 4:9-16)
– Being presented as a pure virgin bride to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2)
– Experiencing oneness with Christ through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:16-17)
– Eternal enjoyment of righteous marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9)
God created sexuality as a gift to be celebrated in its proper context. His desire is to bless those who steward this gift well for his glory.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible contains a consistent and resounding call for followers of God to refrain from all forms of sexual immorality. It grounds its prohibition of fornication and illicit sexual behavior in God’s holy character and original design for marriage and sexuality. While not shying away from the destructive consequences of sexual sin, Scripture also offers redemption, spiritual resources, and motivation to obey God’s standards in this area. By clinging to biblical principles amidst temptation and cultural pressure, believers can walk in sexual holiness and purity.
