“I have needs.” (Talking sexual things here).
That is often the justification for some to compromise. It is the idea that parts of the body are made for certain activities, and they are “needs.” If those needs are not fulfilled, then they must find their fulfillment.
The problem with this thinking is the label – “needs.” It implies that a need should be sought to be fulfilled at all costs.
This is not the case for sexual matters. Desire does not equal need. It equals want. A person can live without sexually engagement.
To begin this discussion, Paul talks about the stomach.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both” (v. 12-13).
Then Paul says this:
“The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (v. 13).
The body was made for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. It is not made for sexual indulgence outside of marriage and immorality.
The body is the vessel of the Lord to accomplish his purposes on the Earth. He indwells us with his Spirit, and our bodies are offered to Him in service. This is the ultimate purpose of our bodies.
So when we drift and indulge in immorality, we are defiling our bodies and the purpose for which they were made.
“By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 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! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit” (v. 14-17).
If our body is for the Lord, should we then use our body by uniting it sexually with someone that is not of the Lord? Never.
It is especially a problem when we unite our bodies sexually in an immoral way as the union of sex unites your spirit. It is the becoming of “one.”
Then the Scripture does something counter-cultural. It recognizes sexual sin for what it is – one of the more damaging sins to a person.
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body” (1 Cor 6:18).
We are to RUN from sexual immorality. Not compromise with it. Not justify it. Not toy with the line. But RUN.
The body has deep memory. Physical touch has deep memory. The spirit unites in a way that is changed.
Therefore RUN. When we sin sexually, we sin against our own bodies. It isn’t like other sins.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Cor 6:19-20).
We should use our bodies before God in an honorable way. In this context, that is strongly about sexually.
Pornography? Just that fraction of a second longer hug? That touch that happens frequently with the wrong person?
Run from it.
Run.
Do what it takes, tell someone, recognize you are weak, and run from it.
If you screw up, repent, get help and accountability, get back on your feet with grace, and run from it.
It doesn’t mean have nothing to do with the opposite sex. It just means put your boundaries in place. And stick with him.
Here’s a tip: Holiness is often a community effort.