In 1 Corinthians 6:18, Paul is writing to new believers trying to figure out their faith. Here is what he said, “Flee from sexual immorality.”

That is what all married people want their spouse to do. This is what every parent wants their child to do.

Everyone in a dating relationship wants their partner to do this. It is what every older brother wishes for his younger sister.

It is what every teenager wants for their future mate. We know this is good counsel for the people we love.

But somehow we get ourselves to a place where we are not so sure that it is good for us in certain circumstances.

Paul goes on, “All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.”

Paul is making it clear that sexual sin is like no other type of sin.

Sexual sin seems to have a way of sticking around and it creates all kinds of baggage in your life sexually, spiritually, emotionally and otherwise.

You may want to think of the sexual side of your life as physical and nothing more, but it is so much more than a physical act.

It is also emotional. It affects your heart.

It is spiritual. It affects your soul. It affects your conscience.

It affects the way you see yourself and the way you view others.

That is not to say that sexual sin is worse than any other sin.

Sexual sin is unique in the way that it affects your life. Sexual sin is not in a category all of its own because God won’t forgive sexual sin. We know God forgives. What’s at stake are consequences.

Paul then points out a higher standard for our sexuality. “Do you not know that your body is a temple 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 body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

That is a different standard than asking, “what is right or wrong,” or “is there a consequence”, or “will we get caught”, or “how far can I go and still get away with it?”

If you choose to live according to God’s standard, you will never regret it. You will also be setting yourself up for success in the most important area of life, the area of relationships, not only with others, but with your father in heaven.

Read Steve Greene’s blog at www.pastorgreene.wordpress.com or email him at [email protected].