[Nell]

Originally Posted by JJ

Regarding sexual immorality, to abstain from it and be sanctified by God’s Holy Spirit is God’s will. Those who have a problem with that have a problem with God.... who is the avenger in these things. Paul said so in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. quote below from Berean Literal Bible:
1Finally then, brothers, we implore and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that just as you have received from us in what manner it behooves you to walk and to please God, just as even you walk now, so you should abound more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: You are to abstain from sexual immorality; 4each of you to know how to win mastery over his own vessel in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust, as also the Gentiles, not knowing God; 6not to go beyond and to overreach his brother in the matter, because the Lord is avenging concerning all these things, just as also we told you before and thoroughly warned. 7For God has not called us to impurity, but into holiness. 8So then, the one rejecting this does not disregard man but God, the One also giving His Holy Spirit to you.

Note, this doesn’t say “abstain from sex” (that’s holy in the marriage bed according to Peter and Paul).

This, and other commandments of the Lord Jesus and His Apostles “Love one another” being the first are possible in the Holy Spirit but impossible in the flesh.

Bradley, sorry, there is no fooling God, or his sanctified ones “saints” on this.

Excellent word JJ. In fact, the following verses continue your thoughts as to "WHY" Christians abstain from sexual immorality:

1 Cor. 3:16-20:
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Further in I Cor. 6:16-20
15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Nell