Bible Reading: 2 Chron. 19; 1 Thess. 4:1-10.
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
Fornication is generally consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. When one of the partners to consensual sexual intercourse is a married person, it is described as adultery. Fornication has become rampant in our society and it is one of the most common sins among youths. In spite of its strong condemnation by the bible, the various exposure in media and the way it has been portrayed by many on the media has made fornication “less evil”.
However, this is quite contrary to the will of God for our lives. God enjoins every one to flee fornication. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV) says: “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Why is fornication common? In addition to various ways by which the media portrays fornication as an acceptable practice, we have some men of God twisting the word of God. One Nigerian Pastor was reported to have stated that sexual intercourse between two people engaged but yet to be married is not a sin! When youths that are on edge hears that, in addition to various sexual appeal in the media, they become more vulnerable.
But none of these can change the position of God on this matter. His will is definite as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV): “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:”
It is therefore imperative that every believer should take a position for God. Different approaches can be adopted to achieve the same position of sanctification. Several years ago, there was a young man intending to marry but got a prophecy that he was going to commit fornication with his fiancée. He prayed to God and made a vow to him that God should make him leperous if he should engage in such an act. Thereafter, he went to tell his fiancée his covenant with God. Since the fiancée did not want to marry a leper, she also ensured a safe distance was maintained between both of them all through until they got married. Determination, with the help of God, can help every man or woman to achieve his objective.
Action Plan: Make a covenant with God today not to defy yourself no matter the circumstance and ask for God to see you through.
Brother Biodun Oyapero