Flee Sexual Immorality - (Part II)
"Safe sex" is a media term for sexual activities with a condom as a protection against receiving or giving AIDS or other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs). However, the only truly safe sex is "chaste sex".
The Funk and Wagnall's dictionary defines chaste as "free from sexual impurity". The Bible defines sexual impurity as sexual intercourse outside the bounds and bonds of legal marriage. This means no sexual intercourse before marriage, and no sexual intercourse after marriage with anyone except your legal spouse.
The Bible word for this forbidden activity is fornication in the King James version. In the New International Version [NIV], the term is sexual immorality.
If young men and women remain virgins until marriage as the Bible teaches, the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, including the deadly AIDS virus, would be wiped out in a single generation. Of course there's another important reason for practicing chaste sex: you'll be living according to the teachings of the Bible, God's operating manual for your body. Since God is your manufacturer, He is the final and unchanging authority on what's best for you.
Incidentally, there is no such thing as "safe sex" if that sex is outside the bonds and bounds of legal marriage. The failure rate for even the best condoms ranges between 10 and 20 percent. A single failure may result in an infection which will end in death.
Some have said I'm a liar when I say you can get AIDS because condoms can fail. The failure rate for condoms is what you need to be worried about. The HIV virus can "leak" through microscopic holes in a condom; holes so small that sperm will not pass through. It's your funeral. Suit yourself.
Foreplay, petting, kissing leading to arousal: These forms of foreplay are designed to prepare your mind and body for sexual intercourse. Since you will not be having intercourse until marriage, avoid petting and necking until marriage, also. Kiss as a means of communicating affection. Stop kissing when you become sexually aroused; you have just crossed over into foreplay.
Avoid sexual fantasies, even about a person with whom you are in love and whom you are engaged to marry. Satan and his demons will bombard your mind with all kinds of sexual thoughts, both normal and perverted. Each time a demonic SCUD loaded with evil thoughts appears on the radar screen of your mind, activate a battery of Holy Spirit Patriot missiles through prayer, and open fire. Your prayer may be as simple as "Come, Holy Spirit." Temptation always begins in the mind. (The heart is a pump that circulates blood and has nothing to do with morality.) Keeping your mind free from sexual thoughts calls for constant vigilance. This is not easy but it is necessary for remaining celibate or a virgin. Change that TV channel; leave the movie theater; close that book or magazine; close your eyes until the danger passes.
Pornography (Porn) is a SIN :
Although pornography is not specifically addressed in Scripture, the principle (viewing/reading what's impure) certainly is: (Mat 5:28), (Psalm 101:3), (Phil 4:7,8)
The word "pornography" comes from the Greek porneia, porneuo, and porne. Porneia is translated "fornication" in the King James Version (Mat 5:32; John 8:41; Rom 1:29; 1 Corin 6:9,13,18; Gal 5:19; Rev 19:2; etc.). Porneuo is the verb "to commit fornication," as in (1Corin 6:18). Porne is translated "harlot" in (Mat 21:31-32; 1Corin 6:15; and Rev 17:5).
(Eph 5:5; 1Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15)
Many lustful sins take place in the dark, in secret, but nothing is hid from God: (Hebrews 4:13); (Numbers 32:23)
More serious than other sins?
Pornography seems more disgusting than other evils.
'Just looking'?
Some would argue that looking at the naked human body is not evil, because God made it beautiful, and Adam and Eve were naked in the garden. However, that was before sin entered the picture.
"The eye is the window of the soul," as the saying goes. What we look at does affect us spiritually - and can cause us to sin. David "SAW" the woman naked, before he got ideas to sin with her. Jesus said that if a man "looks at a woman to lust after her, he has committed adultery with her already in his heart"; etc. The sin takes place even before the action is executed.
Scripture gives many examples of men being enticed by the sight of a woman. Shechem saw the woman before he raped her. David saw the woman bathing before he had sex with her. Judah saw the harlot before he had sex with her. It was the same for Samson, etc.
(Genesis 34:2); (2Samuel 11:2-5); (Mat 5:28); (Genesis 38:2-3); (Genesis 38:15-16); (Judges 16:1); (Judges 14:2-3);
Visual stimulation is more common in man than in woman, however. There's just one example in Scripture of a woman lusting after a man by SEEING him: (Genesis 39:7-12)
How can addiction to porn be overcome?
Giving in to lustful desires is a sign of spiritual weakness. Ephesians 6 tells us what armor to put on, to be "strong" in spiritual battle.
If you don't want to get slaughtered in battle, don't go dancing in the minefields. Former alcoholics don't hang out in bars. Fill that free time with a positive activity: Read a book. Sing a psalm. Call a friend. Visit a nursing home. Pray, Pray, Pray. As the saying goes, "Idleness is the devil's workshop."
Christians especially should not practice such sins, as we will be held to a stricter standard: (1Peter 4:17); (Luke 12:48)
Is it possible to overcome this sin?
(1Cor 6:9,11) Being tempted is not sin (even Jesus was tempted) - but giving in to it, or seeking it out, surely is.
What are the Church's teachings about pornography? Can it be considered a mortal sin when viewed?
Answer by Fr. John Echert – EWTN Q&A Forum
"To intentionally (purposely, knowingly) view pornography is a mortal sin, for Jesus taught that to lust after another is the equivalent of doing the act itself. Pornography is a misuse of another human person, most especially by those who profit upon it but also those who view it, who make, reduce and manipulate the person into someone to be misused. It is a dark and sinister world, often tied to other forms of crime, and Christians must have nothing to do with pornography. It has infiltrated our homes, wrecked marriages and families and ruined careers. Satan must be quite pleased with the success he has had, in bringing pornography so readily into homes and the workplace." (Words like 'purposely' and 'knowingly' in the brackets are added)
Here are the reasons for remaining a virgin until marriage:
• Virginity until marriage is God's plan. Since God is your manufacturer, He has the authority to stipulate how your body should operate.
• Your marital sex life will be more satisfying when you follow God's rules. There is no proof that premarital sex increases sexual enjoyment or the general stability of marriage.
• AIDS, genital herpes, claymidia, and other sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) will not be a threat to your life and health.
What if I/we have been guilty of fornication [intercourse before marriage]?
You have lost your virginity forever. However, you still have celibacy to look forward to. When you are celibate, you will never have sex again until you are married.
1. Stop sinning.
2. Ask God to forgive your past sexual sin.
3. Promise God [and your partner] that you will never participate in sexual activities again until you are married.
Loss of virginity due to rape or incest :
God's first plan for our lives is that we remain virgins until marriage. However, if you have lost your virginity by unwanted sexual intercourse being forced on you against your will, you should feel no guilt or shame about that loss. From a purely physical standpoint, your virginity has been stolen from you forever. However, in the eyes of God and, hopefully your future spouse, you will remain a virgin until you willingly surrender your body in the sanctity of marriage.
From this point onward, forget the past and live for the future. Dont play with your eternity for a few minutes of pleasure. Dont play games with Almighty GOD'. You dont have to burn in HELL forever.
(References and notes taken from dianedew.com, pornnomore.com, diskbooks.org and Strong's Dictionary)
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