The Sanctity of Your Body

1 Corinthians 6:15

New International Version

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

For Encouragement

Never!

That is emphatic. It shows the resolve of a person who understands the sanctity of his body as part of the body of a holy God—Christ Jesus our Lord. Having understood who he is (Romans 8:16) and apprehended his position in Christ (Ephesians 2:6), what it means to be a part of Him (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16) because he is an active participant of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), the believer must have this mindset and resolve as Paul does in this passage of scripture.

Never will he join his body with a prostitute and so defile it. And before you jump and say, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” realize what Paul means by a prostitute.

A prostitute here is anybody who indulges or joins their body to another person to have sex outside of marriage. We are not only talking about having sex with a night lady or a night man (for men also commercially prostitute their bodies). The Holy Spirit refers to sex outside of marriage.

If we pride ourselves on being children of God, we are born again, sanctified by the Holy Spirit indwelling us, and seated with Christ in the heavenly realms in Him. So, we must dread soiling our bodies by making Christ a collaborative partner in our immoral sexual acts of pleasure. We should cringe at the thought, and that should cause us to say with Paul, “Never!”

Regrettably, sexuality has become a compromised subject in the world today. We do not think about our nature in sanctified and refreshing ways. Therefore, we walk, unrestrained, into sexual innuendos and then run, unbroken, to take hold of 1 John 1:9.

As believers, we differ from our work unsaved colleagues and friends (2 Corinthians 6:17). We think and desire lofty things, not lowly appetites (Colossians 3:1-3). We have a defensive and offensive armor to adorn us for the fierce battle that rages around us (Ephesians 6:10-18). Our situation (5:3) and conversation must remain sanctified (4-5), full of grace, and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). And you know the good part of all this?

When you determine to flee from sexual immorality (Genesis 39:11-12; 1 Corinthians 6:18) and take the warning of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: the power of the Holy Spirit will sustain you. His escape door will open to you when necessary (1 Corinthians 10:13).

It is Friday, and many of us will go into different settings to relax, enjoy a function, or mourn a loved one. Whatever your disposition, never forget who you are and the body you carry along. Look away from suggestive things and glorify God with your body. Sunday is coming, and you do not want to be a hypocrite in worship.

Say, Never! And run.

Shalom