What Does JESUS Mean by “Sexually Immoral?”
Jesus said
in Revelation 21:8,[1]
But as for the cowardly,
the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that
burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
While you
will likely not find this verse with red font in your personal Bible, it is
quite clear from the context that Jesus Christ is the One doing the talking
when you begin reading from 21:5.
Many will attempt
to argue that Jesus Himself never spoke on bestiality, homosexuality or polygamy.
However, it is here in Revelation 21:8 where that argument falls apart. Jesus
is all-inclusive. Rather than getting lost in an endless list, Jesus sums up
all forms of sexual immorality into one category, much like a folder icon you
see on the computer. He includes every form, whether physical or mental, of
sexual activity outside of the bounds of a God-defined marriage under the
category of sexual immorality.
Why is it that Jesus did not mention bestiality, homosexuality or polygamy?
To begin,
it is blasphemous to say that God approves of groups that practice these sexual
perversions. Does He love them as individuals made in His image? Yes, but He
cannot and will not ever approve or condone their actions of immorality. He is
Holy and we are sinners.
The reason
Christ did not mention these three specific sins is actually very simple. He
came to the nation of Israel and preached to the Jewish people. While there are
examples of Christ interacting with Gentiles (non-Jewish people), even a quick glance
at any of the four Gospels will assure you that Israel was the focus of His
mission. As God’s covenant people, they were chosen to be the nation from where
the Church would be born, and Christ made His message applicable to His target
audience.
Bestiality,
homosexuality and polygamy were not common practices among the Jewish people
and possibly even non-existent in the nation of Israel during the time of
Christ’s first coming. Had the nation been exposed to and even struggled with
these sins in the past? Absolutely! That is why God speaks against them in the
Law. However, at the time Christ came, Israel had become zealous for the Law
and everything it contained. They felt they were doing such a good job at
following every single command that
they began to think highly of themselves and look down on others.
Israel did
however struggle with adultery (John 8), perverse speech (Matthew 15:18-19), pornography
(Matthew 5:27-30), and prostitution (Matthew 21:31-32). Obviously, two thousand
years ago Israel could not pull up a pornographic website. However, to look
with lust at a man or a woman and selfishly desire to feed your own cravings by
fascinating over your imaginations is Biblically considered pornography—when
you mentally picture the act and
allow it to consume and control you.
Conclusion
These are
the sexual standards of the Bible. We can choose to live by them or not, but no
matter who we are we will all bow before God and be held accountable to His
standard of sexuality. God alone defines what is good, proper and holy. If you
are involving yourself in any form of sexual immorality, then “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God…”(Romans 12:1).
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