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Flee Immorality: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

April 2, 2023 Preacher: Bob DeWaay Series: 1 Corinthians

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

The Corinthian church had compromised with pagan beliefs and practices by lessening the importance of the body. Some used this faulty thinking to justify immoral practices since, they reasoned, what happens with the body is of little consequence. Paul counters this error by teaching that the believer’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore believers are not their own. This sermon expounds Paul’s message as very relevant today given the pagan culture which promotes immoral practices as valid “freedom.” Paul uses an imperative which says “flee” immorality. We cite the example of Joseph who fled from Potiphar’s wife and was still lied about and punished despite his innocence. God used Joseph and he was ultimately vindicated. Another theological truth revealed in these verses is the truth that believers are “bought with a price” which is the blood of Jesus. We belong to God and as His slaves, we have honored status. We must glorify God by living in a way which honors the One who purchased our salvation. We use applications which exhort us to “flee” various lusts and “pursue” righteousness which shows that we believe God’s promises and are living for eternity. To overcome temptation, we need to cling to rational truth and not allow the mysticism of the culture to seduce us into sinful behavior. Joseph resisted sin by citing objective reasons why he would not give in to the wife of his master who had trusted him. Likewise, Biblical truth will keep us through God’s grace if we remind each other of it and resist the mystical trends of popular Evangelicalism.