Immorality

  We move now to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8.  The topic is sanctification which comes from the Holy Spirit (v 8) through the avoidance of porneia (from which we get the word pornography).  This word is translated variously as unchastity, sexual immorality or fornication (v 3). Sanctification, or holiness, cannot come without control of one's own body.  Each man should have a wife chosen because of holiness and honor not because of lust (v 4-5).  And certainly no one is to wrong a brother or sister through adultery (v 6).  
  Why not engage in fornication and adultery as those around them were doing?  Because God is an avenger who calls the Thessalonians to holiness, to purity by giving of his Holy Spirit.
  For Reflection:  Temptations abound.  Have I kept myself pure from pornography, unchastity, fornication and adultery? Besides sinning against myself, have I sinned against others by involving them in my fantasies of immorality?  Have I been unfaithful to my spouse in thought, word or deed?
    Let us pray.  Jesus, we know that you call us to greater and greater holiness.  But the world of fantasy lures us into unholy territory.  Help us to bring every thought captive to you.
  "The weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses.  We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

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