The book of Proverbs is timeless and applicable to young and old alike. It is designed to help us make good decisions (Proverbs 1:1-5).
We would all think it foolish to burn our clothes; however, in the Proverbs we read, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" (Proverbs 6:27) Solomon asked this question. Who better qualified to address the subject of morality, uncleanness, fornication, and adultery than Solomon? He had made his own mistakes and suffered greatly for them. He extolled the virtues of God's commandments to keep away from the evil woman. And then he warned, "Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids" (Proverbs 6:25). He warned of the ruin that a man brings into his life when he ignorantly falls into such a trap. "For on account of a harlot (a man is brought) to a piece of bread; and the adulteress hunteth for the precious life." (Proverbs 6:26) When we consider how much this iniquity abounds, how heinous it is in its own nature, its exceedingly harmful consequences, and how certainly destructive it is to all the seeds of the soul's spiritual life, we will cease to wonder why the cautions against it are so often repeated. And so, Solomon asked, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?"
No one can carry fire in his lap and not be burned. The adulteress or whoremonger (fornicator) is a fire clasped in one's bosom. The whoremonger or adulterer treads upon the coals of lust; and he cannot, therefore, expect to escape the flames of conscience and judicial vengeance. "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers (fornicators, ASV; and adulterers God will judge." (KJV Hebrews 13:4) The same practices in one relationship (marriage), God called honorable. Outside the marriage relationship, He condemned these practices.
We study about lasciviousness, uncleanness, and fornication as though they are sins that do not tempt those who are Christians. Yet, most of the New Testament passages that discuss these sins are addressed to those who are Christians. These works of the flesh are "manifest" (Galatians 5:19); that is, they are open, clearly demonstrated, and obviously opposed to righteousness. Surely, an understanding of these terms should stir within the heart of every child of God the feeling of abhorrence for what they indicate.
What Is Fornication? There are several words, both nouns and verbs, that are translated "fornication," or some form of the word.
Fornication is defined as: "The practice of sexual immorality and harlotry: hence a symbol for idolatry ... in the NT the words for 'fornication' 'to practice fornication,' etc., refer to every kind of sexual intercourse outside marriage" (The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Volume 2, page 321).
This is a broad term that includes every kind of sexual immorality: whoredom; concubinage; adultery; incest; lewdness; uncleanness; prostitution of one's body to the lust of another, whether male or female; homosexuality; bestiality; every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse; including the sexual unfaithfulness of a married man or woman (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). We could use a ream of paper copying the many definitions of the term, but that is hardly necessary.
What Promotes Fornication? This question is not difficult when we consider our own weak attitudes toward low moral standards and the sensual emphasis placed on every phase of our lives. Consider the following reasons why fornication has become an accepted part of life.
Our concept of marriage. Less than 50 years ago, divorce and remarriage was not acceptable socially, much less religiously. The word adultery is often used to define or describe illicit intercourse with another person's spouse; and fornication is usually understood to be the broader term, which includes all kinds of unlawful sexual behavior of all people, whether married or unmarried. The commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14), included all sexual sins among all people. The nature of sexual sins included rape, incest, seduction, sodomy, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality, and self-abuse (Leviticus 18:6-23; 19:20, 29; 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 22:13-30). Most of these sins were punishable by death.
Jesus said, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28) This is quite different from the present concept of marriage, where one can go in and out of relationships as he pleases without feeling guilty about committing one of the most destructive sins.
Loose morals among the young. Young people learn their morals from those about them. When parents, teachers, and political leaders do not give high priority to how they dress; and when, by their own lives and conduct, they encourage sexual freedom, how can we expect children to mature with proper respect for righteous living? When parents approve of, and often provide, contraceptives for their children, or provide their children and their dates free use of the bedroom; or when people speak of their affairs as being "only natural" or "flirtatious," we encourage loose morals and set the stage for tragedy to occur. Paul wrote, "And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) What are we thinking about when we permit our children to dress immodestly and participate in questionable activities in questionable environments? Such looseness has been called flirtatious.
Someone please explain to me what is flirtatious about exposing oneself to another who is not your marriage companion! It is sinful, even if the world considers it flirting. Some believe if we call such attire swimming attire, and there is water nearby, that makes it alright. What twisted thinking! What happened to modesty and the desire to maintain things honorable in the sight of all men?
Immoral emphasis in entertainment. The entire entertainment world seems given to the spread of corrupt sexual practices. It is becoming more and more difficult to watch a movie or a TV program in which fornication is not suggested or openly displayed in some form. Even many of today's popular songs are suggestive of fornication. What are we willing to allow in our homes? Many of us welcome into our homes magazines, TV shows, movies, and computer sites that promote things we would not dare allow through the front door. We have become so conditioned to immorality that we accept these as no longer offensive forms of entertainment, but rather acceptable ways of life.
What Can We Do? Fornication has a destructive impact on every aspect of our lives. It has resulted in disease and death; it has destroyed nations, families, and churches. Often, people fail to consider the fact that it creates regrettable memories that last forever. Since fornication begins in the heart, to correct the problem, we must begin with our hearts (Matthew 15:19). Let's get our hearts right! The Bible teaches us to abstain from fornication (1 Thessalonians 4:3). In Ephesians 5:3, Paul wrote regarding fornication: "Let it not be once named among you." Fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21); rather, they will be cast into "the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 20:10).
We must withdraw ourselves from those professed brethren who are guilty of this sin and refuse to repent (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Let us "flee fornication" (1 Corinthians 6:18) as Joseph did (Genesis 39:12). He literally ran away from the circumstance in which he was being tempted. FLEEING is the only way to escape this sin. Do not stay and reason about it, or debate the matter, or even try the strength of your virtues. One is SAFE from fornication only when he FLEES. Indeed, a person cannot take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned. He cannot walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched.
Brother Galloway reminds of an ever-present danger in our society. Another perplexing thing for me personally is the mothers who allow their daughters to dress in provocative clothing that provokes immoral thoughts in the opposite sex? During a recent trip to the mall, I observed a daughter and her mother-both dressed immodestly. To me, this is tragic, and it occurs every day. Three of our children were girls, and we raised them to dress in a way that would not draw attention from the young men. How do parents believe they are helping their children by allowing their daughters to dress in ways that leave nothing but immoral thoughts in the minds of young men? It is sad indeed! (KMG)