Leader's Guide 9/20/09

Glued
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
The Week of September 20th

Getting Started

How were your ideas about sex formed? What has been your main influences?

How does discussing sex in a spiritual or church setting make you feel? Do you feel that same way discussing sex in other social settings? Why do you think there’s a difference, especially when the Bible speaks so much about sex?

Digging Deeper

Read 1 Corinthians 6:12. How does this relate to physical intimacy? How do we distinguish between “permissible” and beneficial”?

Paul does not mean that immoral things are permissible when he says “everything is permissible,” for he had just declared, “neither sexually immoral, idolaters nor adulterers…will inherit the kingdom of God.” Its likely that “everything is permissible” was a slogan some Corinthian Christians used to justify living as close to disobedience as they possible could. In terms of sexuality, they were those who asked, “how far can we go” with the intention going that far. Paul argues that though technically it may be permissible, yet such behavior may be destructive (see verse 12 and next question).

What did Paul mean in verse 12 when he said, “I will not be mastered by anything”? How does this relate to sexual sin?

When you live near the line of compromise, you put yourself in an environment where sin is easier, which makes you vulnerable to the mastery of sin. God would say to Cain, “Sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it” (Gen 4:7). Sin is deceitful and destructive. To treat sin casually is like treating a hungry ravenous lion casually. Eventually, it will pounce and devour. In application, given the power, allure, and devastation of sexual immorality, keep clear of any sightings of it.

How would you answer this question, “Why would God give me these desires if He did not want me to act on them? (i.e. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food” – vs. 13).

This question assumes that natural desires, as we experience them now, are God-given. This fails to recognize that nature is fallen. As a result, we have a propensity to twist all sorts of things that may be good in ways that are bad. There’s a good ambition, and yet our hearts can twist this into self-glorification. There’s a good fear, but our hearts may twist it to cowardice. Food and drink are wonderful gifts, but our hearts may abuse these things. The same is true with human sexuality. It appears that some at Corinth were suggesting that just as all hunger demands eating, then all sexual desire requires fulfillment. “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food” appears to be another slogan adopted by the Corinthians to justify immoral living. Paul response by saying that “God will destroy both” This may be taken as meaning that God’s goal in salvation is to destroy our "body," in so far as it is sinful, so as to liberate us to a glorified physical body that have appetites of righteousness. The fact that God will “rid us of this body of death” (Rom 7:24) tells us that our present desires aren’t the best barometer for determining what is right or wrong.

Verse 13 says “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord and the Lord for the body. What is Paul trying to say in this passage, in what way is our body meant for the Lord and the Lord for our body?

God has put a down payment on our body. His intention is to redeem it applying Jesus’ righteousness to it in the resurrection. In the meantime, our bodies are on “layaway.” As such, you don’t mess with another man’s property when it is on “layaway.” Similarly, you don’t misuse your body when it doesn’t belong to you, but to God (vs.19).

In verse 14 Paul introduces the subject of the resurrection, how does this fit into his discussion of sexual immorality?

See previous answers.

Verses 16-17 show a healthy and unhealthy example of oneness. In what practical ways can we apply these truths to our relationships to bring oneness?

(1) Share an oneness with God: Couples often have “independent” relationships with God. It’s important for our spousal relationships to be centered on doing discipleship together. (2) Be a one-man woman and a one-woman man: Just as Jesus requires complete fidelity to him, just as he is completely faithful to us, we are called to express that same time of unrelenting devotion in our marriages (Ephesians 5:22-33).

In verse 18, Paul says “Flee immorality.” What are some specific things that we should flee from that are approved by our culture? What are some practical ways to flee these accepted expressions of sexuality?

What do you watch, listen to, think about, and talk about? Job makes a covenant with his eyes not to look a woman with lust (Job 31:1). Paul says that we are to think on what ever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Solomon says that one who listens to gossip is just as bad as the gossip. He’ll also spend most of Proverbs speaking about how a fool spouts out folly.

How do we flee? Like Joseph! (Gen 39:12).

In verse 18 Paul says “all other sins a man commits are outside his body.” What does he mean?

The word “other” doesn’t appear in the Greek text. It actually reads, “All sins a man commits are outside his body.” This appears to be another Corinthian slogan (cf. verse 12 & 13) that communicates a conviction that sexual sin had no spiritual consequences. Paul states that we are God’s temple. Just as to commit sexual immorality in the temple would be to profane the sacred place, so to commit sexual immorality with the temple (your body) is to do the same. He says pointedly in 3:17 that if anyone destroys the temple, God will destroy him (cf. 1 Cor 5:5; 11:30).

In verse 19-20, Scripture says that you are “a temple of the Holy Spirit” and so need to “honor God with your body.” How does viewing your body as a sanctuary of God help you to think about sexual sin?

Handle your body the way the priests were to minister in the sanctuary: with fear and trembling.

Putting It Into Practice

If your friend came to you for help with a sexual sin, what practical biblical advice could you offer? Where would you find it in the bible?