Hebrews 13:4

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

God expects those who are His own and who give evidence of this commitment by following His Son, Jesus, to be morally and sexually pure (2 Corinthians 11:2; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:2). The word "pure" means to be completely untainted and free from all corruption. This includes any hint of sexual crudeness, vulgarity or promiscuity. Relationship with Him means refraining from all acts and thoughts that provokes desire that are not in agreements with the standards of God's word and representative of one's virginity, sexual purity or marriage vows. Biblical purity stresses moral discipline, restraint and avoidance of all sexual imaginations, stimulations or activities that would compromise or corrupt one's spiritual purity by God's standard. This includes controlling one's own body "in a way that is holy and honorable", and not in "passionate lust".

that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, - 1 Thessalonians 4:4

This Biblical instruction is for both those who are single and those who are married. In relation to sexual morality and purity, the Bible teaches us some standards. There are 7 standards of sexual morality and I will be mentioning 5 of it now.

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Standard of Sexual Morality

(1) First of all, we must keep in mind that god designed human sexuality; it is a product of His creativity, and his Word addresses the subject right from the start (Genesis 1: 27, 28; 2:18-24). God created both male and female in His image, and their physical union reflects His unity and completeness. there should no shame or guilt associated with sex between people who have united their lives in marriage before God.

(2) Sexual intimacy is reserved for the marriage relationship and is approved and blessed by God in that context. Through marriage, the husband and wife become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” - Ephesians 5:31

This means that in a very real way, a married couple's sexual activity reunites the male and female bodies that were distinguished when God created Eve out of Adam's rib. But a sexual union also involves being united in a profound emotional and even spiritual sense (1 Corinthians 6:15-16). Sexual activities represents a deep and powerful level of intimacy and vulnerability. By God's intention, the only human relationship designed to thrive on and sustain this level of intimacy is a godly, devoted marriage between a man and a woman. The physical and emotional pleasures resulting from a faithful marriage relationship are designed as a precious gift from God and are held in honor by Him.

(3) By God's standard, sexual sins include, but are not limited to, the following: adultery (sexual relations between a married person and somebody other than his or her spouse), sexual intercourse before marriage (or any sexual relations or activity outside of marriage), homosexual activity (sexual relations between members of the same sex), incest (sexual activity between family members), bestiality (sexual activity between a human and an animal), sexually suggestive activities and behavior, impure fantasies and degrading sensual desires. All of these issues are serious offenses to God; they defy Him personally and are seen as acts of open rebellion against His standard. These attitudes and behaviors cross the boundaries of God's moral law and defile the marriage and family relationship. Such sins are not only condemned in God's Word, but they also place people outside of God's kingdom rule (Romans 1:24-32; Galatians 5:19-21).

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

(4) Sexual immorality and impurity include not only intercourse, but any act of sexual gratification or release with another person (or involving the fantasy or image of another) other than one's marriage partner. This includes any sexual stimulation or gratification achieved by uncovering or exploring the nakedness of another person. The contemporary teachings that says sexual intimacy among "committed" unmarried people-youth or adult-is acceptable as long as it stops short of full sexual union is contrary not only to the Biblical standard of purity but to God's own personal nature of holiness. In specific words of condemnation, God prohibits having any kind of "sexual relations with" anyone who is not a lawful wife or husband (

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Leviticus 18:6-30

6 “‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.7 “‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.8 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.9 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.10 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.11 “‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.12 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.13 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.14 “‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.15 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.16 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.17 “‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
>18 “‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living. 19 “‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period. 20 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her. 21 “‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. 22 “‘Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. 23 “‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. 24 “‘Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. 25 Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you must keep my decrees and my laws. The native-born and the foreigners residing among you must not do any of these detestable things, 27 for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. 28 And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you. 29 “‘Everyone who does any of these detestable things—such persons must be cut off from their people. 30 Keep my requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I am the Lord your God.’”

(5) God's people must exercise self-control in all sexual matters before marriage. To justify sexual intimacy before marriage on the ground of a real or a felt love or commitment to another person is a shameless compromise of God's standard and an acceptance of the world's standards and impure ways. Using such an excuse is not acceptable to God and violates His standard of moral purity and His plan that allows for the fulfillment of sexual desires within a committed marriage. After marriage, sexual intimacy must be confined to one's marriage partners. The Bible lists self-control as one aspect of the Spirit's fruit, which are the positive behaviors and character traits that the Holy Spirit develops in the lives of Christ's followers. This stands in sharp contrast to the undisciplined and unrestrained sensual behavior, sexual play, gratification, adultery and impurity that is commonly accepted and promoted in the world. By submitting ourselves fully to God and devoting ourselves to His desires and purposes, including this area of our lives, we will open the way to receiving this gift of self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5: 22-24.

These are just five points out of seven and I will be completing the second part of the article by tomorrow. Which will consist of the remaining points and the Hope and Healing.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you.
Shalom.

[NIV Study Edition Bible]

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