“But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” 1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV
Reflection: why is fornication wrong?
Ok, a bit of a difficult topic today, but I think it is important to cover. Throughout history, most societies and cultures have considered the act of “fornication” wrong, regardless of religious beliefs. It is one of those laws written on our hearts, like lying and murder, that we just know is wrong, even without anyone telling us. Ok, let’s remind ourselves of what fornication is, since it is not a commonly used word any longer. According to Webster’s dictionary, to fornicate is “to engage in consensual sexual intercourse with someone to whom one is not married”. The Bible says that in the act of sexual intercourse is the act of “two become one flesh”, which really is synonymous with marriage. This joining of two this way therefore has a much deeper significance, as we learn from Paul today.
Paul is dealing with a number of issues within the church in Corinth. He already addressed the man having a deviant relationship with his “father’s wife”, and he directed how they should handle various disputes between Christians. And in this section, Paul is addressing topics related to our bodies; the temple of the Holy Spirit. And he creates an interesting comparison between the consumption of various foods and sexual immorality (again the definition is unlawful sexual intercourse, such as in pre-marital, adultery and prostitution).
He starts out by stating a general principle, a rule to live by as a Christian, ““All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV. Ok, “all things are lawful” can obviously be misused, which is why Paul adds two tests. First, is it helpful? Meaning, does it strengthen us, build us up? And secondly, does it dominate us? Meaning, does it have power over, control over us, such as an addiction? That principle can be applied to many things in our lives, from food and alcohol, entertainment, social media, sports, and so on. Anything in excess, even good things, obviously creates a problem for us. Becomes something that end up controlling us.
Paul then goes on, saying ““Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV. There is a saying “you are what you eat”, meaning in a way you become one with the food you eat. But here is where Paul explains that there is a deeper meaning of becoming one, joined in the act of marriage. Paul explains, “And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”” 1 Corinthians 6:14-16 ESV.
There is a spiritual aspect of the joining of two through this physical act, two becoming one flesh, and one spirit, which is why this is such an important topic. In our focus verse, we read “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” 1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV. One with Christ, one in Spirit, and therefore protecting this union is so critical. Paul therefore says “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV.