Sexual immorality, also known as fornication, means “a surrendering of sexual purity.” It occurs when individuals engage in sexual practices or activities outside the parameters of biblical marriage. It also transpires when married individuals sexually engage with someone other than their spouse or participate in sexually immoral activities.
God is the creator of sex, sexual expression and desire, intimacy, and pleasure. He uniquely designed and intended these gifts to be shared exclusively between one biological man and one biological woman in marriage. Spouses engaging with each other sexually is a blessed and sacred event. However, when individuals not fitting this criterion engage sexually with others, it is sinful and unholy because they are misappropriating God’s marital gift.
Sexually immoral practices include premarital fondling or sex, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, polygamy, polygyny, polyamory, bestiality, pedophilia, molestation, incest, and rape. Although some cultures or communities may accept these behaviors as appropriate or normal, none fit God’s sexual purity and holiness criteria.
Born-again believers are called to abstain from all forms of sexual immorality and pursue godliness and purity. This is accomplished by them walking in the Holy Spirit's power, crucifying “the flesh” and its desires, and practicing righteousness. Peter said to believers, "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3, NASB).
When born-again believers engage in sexually immoral practices, Jesus commands them to repent. Repentance means they change their mind about their sinful activities, agree with Jesus that they are wrong, and ask for His forgiveness. They also must change their direction from pursuing immorality to practicing holiness. When believers genuinely repent, Jesus forgives and cleanses them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9-10).
When unbelievers engage in sexually immoral activities, God calls them to repentance and salvation. They must not only change their mind about their sinful activities and agree with Jesus that their actions are wrong, but they also must place their faith in Jesus for salvation. When an unbeliever genuinely repents and trusts Jesus by faith for their forgiveness and redemption, they "have passed out of death into life” (John 5:24) and are cleansed from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9-10 Ephesians 1:7-8).
(See the Scripture References link at the top of the page.)
