There is an obsession with sex. Sex has become an idol. The world teaches sleep with whoever you want. What does the Bible teach?

1 – A General Principle (vs. 1-3a)

• Please God – Paul calls on them to please God. People will naturally do what pleases themselves.
• Be Holy- They are to be holy (To be set apart). God wants an inward beauty! Illicit sex is about pleasing self. To please God there must be no sexual immorality. (Pre-marital, extra-marital or homosexuality). These things should not be going on in our lives. These passions need to be controlled. You can take the nail out of the wood but you can’t take away the hole.

2 – The Specific Detail (vs. 3b-8)

• Sex has a God-given context and it is marriage (vs. 4). Marriage is a legal, emotional, spiritual and physical commitment for life. It is a serious commitment. Young people need a Biblical morality not just a sex education. See Genesis 39. Joseph ran from sexual immorality. He said “No!” The woman is to dress modestly. Men are to treat women with respect and not take what they are not prepared to commit to.
• Sex has a God-given style – Honour (vs. 5-6).
• Sex needs to be controlled (vs. 7-8). You need to be leading a holy life. Sex is best experienced within marriage. David seized Bathsheba. Men do this. His sexual drive went out of control and he devised schemes. He satisfies himself and regrets it later. His sin was always before him. The hole was still in the wood. The clock can’t be turned back. David reaped what he sowed.

You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head but you can stop them making nests in your hair. Mind control is self control. The Bible will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from reading the Bible.

Categories: 1 Thessalonians