Read 1 Thess. 4:3; Prov. 7:6-23, Abstinence

We have considered a definition and description of sexual immorality.  Let us now consider the word abstain (1 Th. 4:3).  The root meaning is simply “to keep at a distance.”  It is often used in “sexual immorality” passages but is also used in speaking of being a “distance” from a location.  This passages where it is used of sexual immorality include Ac. 15:20, 29 (the latter from the council at Jerusalem), 1 Th. 5:22, 1 Tim. 4:3 and 1 Peter 2:11 where we read: Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which was against the soul.  This reminds us again of the common problem: people seek to gratify themselves by doing whatever they feel like doing; but as the body briefly feels better the soul is being destroyed.

Let us briefly note three Biblical principles that are valuable in abstinence. 

·        Guard your heart.  Prov. 4:23 says, Guard your heart, for out of it are the issues of life.  Phil. 4:8 says: whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there is any virtue or praise, think on those things.  This is a major principle for abstaining from pornography on the internet, TV or anywhere else.  It is not just a matter of abstaining; we must evaluate every opinion we hear lest it become our “heart”.

·        Avoid tempting situations.  Again, Prov. 5:8 says: Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house.  Prov. 23:26 says: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.  Again, consider this in the matter of pornography.  Porn creates a heart set on filthy lust that will lead to filthy, lustful actions.  This principle is akin to Jesus saying, “If you hand offends you, cut it off.”  In other words, whatever is a problem, get rid of it.  Remember: abstinence is putting distance between you & sin, not coming as close to sin as possible w/o sinning.

·        Flee sexual immorality. 1 Cor. 6:18 says, Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  2 Tim. 2:22 says: Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.  God is not honored by our “toughing it out” in this matter of filthy lusts.  Do not court disaster; flee disaster.

The passage from Prov. 7 today is a great illustration of the disaster that comes upon anyone who rejects these basic principles of abstinence.  The illustration is common; it is not a rare experience.  May God deliver us from the delusion that we are more capable than the seduction that appeals to our filthy lusts.  That man is reduced to a crust of bread (Prov. 6:26) and is as an ox going to the slaughter (7:22).