OUTLINE:

Understanding Consequences
It’s true, we can make whatever decisions we desire in life. God gave us free will. However, since no thought or deed goes unnoticed by Him, everything we ever do will be judged. (Ecc 11:9; Mt 5:16; 1Co  3:11-15; 4:3-5; 2Co 5:10; Rev 22:12)

Ecc 11:9
Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things.

The Gift of Satisfaction
True satisfaction is a gift from God. If we charge through life with sinful abandon, we risk ruin. There are many things to enjoy, but they must be enjoyed in faith and obedience. (Ecc 11:9)

The Bible On Sexual Sins
Sex, and even sexual thoughts, are grace gifts from God if and only if they are between a husband and wife. Otherwise, they are fleshly (disclaimer: do not confuse temptation with sins of the flesh).

Is God Glorified When…
- …you defile the holy temple that is your body?
- …you are an emotional basket case because of sexual sins?
- …godly love is supplanted by some worldly counterfeit?

1Co 10:31b
…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

“do all to the glory of God”
This means EVERYTHING, not just certain parts that give you the ability to point and say, “See, I do this or that to the glory of God!” Holy Scriptures says “do all” <- that is the objective and therefore the godly mindset.

“flee from youthful lusts”
God tells us to “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” (Ro 12:9b). He’s telling us to run away from youthful lusts (e.g., impure sexual thoughts - sins begin as thoughts, remember). Avoid impurity is the gist and “do all to the glory of God” (1Co 10:31).

“flee”
from pheugo - to escape, to flee, to run away; same Greek word as used in 2Ti 2:22 - “flee from youthful lusts”, only here, Paul uses a different word, “immorality”

“immorality”
from porneia - derived from pernao (“to sell off”); properly, a selling off (surrendering) of sexual purity; promiscuity of any (every) type; where we get the English “porno” (root for pornography)

What You See and Touch
In Mt 5:27-30, Jesus addresses sins of the “eye” (v29) and sins of the “hand” (v30), both of which are evil and evidence for judgment. This disproves the thought that only physical sexual activity is sin.

2Ti 2:22
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Facts About a “Pure Heart”
- It is defiled when lust gives birth to sin (Jam 1:15)
- It’s a sin to fall prey to temptation
- It’s a sin to prey on others through temptation

“unbecomingly”
from aschemoneo - Strong’s: to act improperly, unseemly; to behave unbecomingly (or even dishonorably); perhaps: to consider (something) unseemly.

“modestly and discreetly”
Modestly means with humility, avoiding the shame of attracting attention to oneself in a way that doesn’t bring glory to God. Discreetly refers to self-control over sexual passions; not wishing to lead others into temptation.

“morals”
from ethos - means habit, manner, custom, morals; where we get the English “ethics”; in context, refers to that which friendship with the world corrupts (consider our society’s viewpoint on sexual sins)

Pr 1:10
My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

2Pe 2:18-19
For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

“touching”
from hapto - means to fasten to, lay hold of, cling to; to ignite; "to modify or change by touching" – properly, "touching that influences" (modifies); touching someone (something) in a way that alters (changes, modifies) them, i.e. "impact-touching."

Courting vs. Dating
To remain righteous, there should be NO “touching” that ignites immorality, be it mindful or physical (1Co 7:1). Such touching is designed as a part of the exclusive domain of marriage (1Co 7:2).

Satan’s Counterfeit Marriage
We might consider American dating as Satan’s counterfeit to godly marriage. The prior satisfies the lusts of the flesh while disregarding the Sovereign’s divine will for marriage/family.