For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:5)

Old Word Same Sin

Few people use the word “fornicator” in modern times. It is an archaic word that means little to most of the world by definition and practice. The world accepts pre-marital sex as normal, expected, and an acceptable expression of love. Fewer young people enter marriage untainted by the loss of a sacred trust given by God. The purpose and design of marriage are to enjoy the conjugal blessings intended by the Creator within the marriage of a man and a woman. When the design of marriage is followed, there is honor and blessing. God intended for a man and woman to come to the marriage bed with pure bodies. Defiling the body defiles the relationship. Bringing the baggage of pre-marital relationships to the marriage bed hinders the joy of how the Lord wanted the man and woman to feel toward one another.

Fornication (pre-marital sex) is not an expression of love. It is a denial of self-restraint and fulfilling selfishly motivated desires to enjoy something that God forbids. Sadly, it has once again become an accepted part of society. The prevalence of fornication is not something new. Sexual immorality has been a stain on the marriage bed from when Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden. Society ebbs and flows through cycles of acceptance and rejection. There was a time in America divorce, pre-marital sex, and pregnancy outside of marriage were shameful – but no more. The impact of divorce has touched every family. There are more and more pregnancies outside of marriage, and this is not about the girl who becomes pregnant but both parties involved. It is sad the woman who is pregnant bears the guilt while the man does not. Both are guilty of sin.

The real problem with sex outside of marriage is that people laugh when it is called a sin. There is no concept or acceptance that fornication is evil. Killing someone is viewed as heinous and vile, but having sex before marriage or sex with someone who is not a spouse is honored? One sin does not lessen another, nor does one sin have greater sin than another. Paul affirms that fornicators have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Here is the raw truth: unrepentant sexual immorality will damn a soul to darkness, gnashing of teeth, and a lake of fire. God does not wink at the defiled marriage bed. Paul goes on to say that no one should be fooled by those who try to excuse the sin of sex before marriage, for the wrath of God will fall on all those who refuse to repent.

Sexual immorality destroys a nation, dismantles the home, and degrades the body. Jesus died to remove the guilt and shame, but it requires an honest heart to seek the forgiveness of a merciful God. Without repentance, there can be no hope. Fornication is not a phase young people go through discovering themselves. It is an eternal sentence of damnation if left unrepentant. The seriousness of fornication must be impressed on the minds of parents who must guard their children with great care, teaching them the word of God. Young people must be pure when they come to marriage. A life of guilt and shame will follow those who refuse to abide by the pattern of holiness God instilled in the marriage. Through the grace of God, the heart can find peace. It is best to obey God and refrain from fornication. The joys of a pure marriage are immeasurable. Pre-marital sex is a sin. Believe it.