I Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
In our last post, we noted a transition in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church. He is finished with doctrinal clarification and he now moves on to discuss the way we live these doctrines out in our daily lives. 
Specifically, he focuses on the sanctification of believers. Paul makes it clear that personal holiness/sanctification is not optional – it is a command of the Father, delivered to believers by the power of Holy Spirit (through the apostles), and backed by the authority of Jesus.
Therefore, God’s commands for holy living are to be received and obeyed, knowing that personal sanctification will result in our good and his glory. (See our prior post for full details.) Those who refuse to obey are walking in rebellion to the will of God.
Last week we took a general look at the process of sanctification and personal holiness. This week we will look at a couple of specific areas of holiness that Paul brings to the remembrance of the church.
The first is abstaining from sexual immorality and/or lust of the flesh.
There are obviously a huge number of areas in life where we need to practice personal holiness. Out of that large number, why do you think Paul specifically mentions sexual sins?
Well, let’s begin to answer that question by reviewing what we already know:
The Thessalonian church was largely made up of Gentiles. Gentiles themselves were not void of religion. In fact, many of them were extremely religious. The issue was that they practiced false religion(s).
The very gods they worshiped and served were immoral. The sacrifices and outward rites they required frequently led to impurity and gross sexual sins. For example, it was common for false gods/idols to have temples with cult prostitutes (both men and women). It was also common for the worship of these idols to include big festivals in spring and fall to mark the seasons of sowing and reaping. These festivals included eating, drunkenness and orgies, where ‘anything goes’.
Bible commentators tell us that the only type of sexual activity that was discouraged by the heathen Gentiles was incest. So, they essentially grew up with a cultural approval of any and all sexual practices. In other words, all forms of sexual activity were considered normal, acceptable behavior. The end result is that the Gentile believers were likely to have an attitude of extreme indifference to sexual sins as defined under Christianity. 
To make things more difficult, they were living in a city that was very worldly. Thessalonica was a crossroads for different cultures and people. Each of them had their own immoral standards and practices, which were endorsed or at least tolerated by public opinion. Plus, the city was a shipping and trading hub. Money was flowing 24/7 and sex was probably available during the same hours, much as it is today in major cities.
It isn’t difficult to see that the Christians of the city were constantly bombarded with opportunities to engage in sexual immorality. Indeed, it is entirely possible that they were mocked for not doing so! Thus, we can understand why Paul felt the need to remind them to be sexually pure by the standards of the gospel.
This brings up some pertinent questions:
- What is God’s definition of sexual purity?
Sexual purity is sex or sexual relations between a man and woman who are in a marriage covenant with each other (I Corinthians 7:1-5). That’s it. Period.
Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
- How can we define sexual immorality?
Simply put, sexual relations within any other context (outside a marriage covenant between one man and one woman) are considered sexual immorality.
This is a list of the most common sexual sins:
Fornication – Sexual intercourse/activity on the part of an unmarried person.
Adultery – Sexual intercourse/activity by a married man with someone other than his wife or vice versa. This is often referred to as unfaithfulness.
Polygamy – Having multiple wives (or husbands) at the same time.
Rape – Sexual connection/activity with another person without their consent.
Incest – Sexual relations between closely related persons (usually first cousins or closer).
Homosexuality/Lesbianism – Sexual relations with a person of the same sex.
Bestiality – Sex with animals.
Prostitution - Offering/selling sexual favors without discrimination; promiscuity.
Sexual immorality or ‘porneia’ - Numerous sexual sins including pornography (I Corinthians 6:13, Ephesians 5:3, etc)
Lust – Lascivious cravings, sexual encounters of the mind/imagination; strong sexual appetites.
Although there are other forms of sexual immorality, these are the major ones.
- Why is sexual purity such a big deal?
What an excellent question!
One reason is that in the covenant of marriage, God joins the man and woman together, making them ‘one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:8-9). Their union is consummated with sex, which is an act of physical intimacy that has a unifying power in it – it joins them together for life physically and emotionally (Malachi 2:14-15, Matthew 19:6).
Sex is a wonderful gift given to a husband and wife to make their relationship unique and exclusive among all other relationships. Therefore, sex should be reserved for two people who are in an exclusive, lifetime covenant relationship (I Corinthians 6:16).
God uses the marriage covenant to create a new entity – the family. Within that context, sexual intercourse is the means by which he propagates new life. He intends for children to be nurtured and grown under the umbrella of the family unit. He desires for us to raise righteous sons and daughters in this environment.
Sexual purity is also important for another reason - sexual sin destroys the picture of the unbreakable covenant that God has with his people. You are no doubt aware that the bible uses marriage as a metaphor to describe the covenant relationship that Jesus has with us. In scripture, the church is often referred to as his ‘bride’, whom he bought with his own blood.
Revelation 21:9 – Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
(See also II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:7). In the Old Testament, God often compared rebellious Israel to an unfaithful wife (Jeremiah 3:1-6, Ezekiel 6:9, the entire book of Hosea, etc). He uses the act of sexual immorality (particularly adultery) to depict the worst possible sins.
A third reason to maintain sexual purity is that sexual sin defiles more than just your physical body. It has spiritual significance:
I Corinthians 6:18-19 – Flee from sexual immorality: Every other sin a person commits is outside of the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?
Our bodies are temples for the Spirit of God. Therefore, engaging in sexual impurity brings sinful thoughts and actions into his holy presence. This is not only disgusting, it is an insult his divine majesty. To claim the title of son or daughter of God and then engage in such activity is like slapping the face of God. 
Furthermore, if we persist in gross disobedience, ignoring the voice of Holy Spirit who calls us to sanctification, we will eventually make ourselves deaf to his cries. By searing our consciences, we will silence his voice and quench his influence in our lives. What will become of us then?
Sexual sins corrupt the mind, captivate the heart, consume the flesh, cause shame, waste finances, destroy relationships, and exclude the kingdom of heaven from your life, leaving you in complete bondage and on the path of death. God forbids sexual sin for our own good!
Clearly, sexual sin is a big problem. It’s like a horrible monster which lurks around every corner, looking for any opportunity to fill us with impurity, so God will be banished from our hearts and minds. As Paul points out in this verse, sexual immorality is directly opposed to God’s will, which is for us to be sanctified.
With all this in mind, it’s not hard to see why Satan goes out of his way to promote sexual sins and to destroy marriages. Let’s not give him an open door into our lives through sex. Let’s follow the advice of Paul, and abstain from all forms of sexual immorality.
Now let’s switch gears for just a moment. The word translated in our version as “sexual immorality” can also be translated as “lust of the flesh”.
This is a broader term which refers to anything that we crave or excessively desire. Sexual immorality is certainly included under lust of the flesh, but so are other passions like greed, hatred, strife, murder, envy, etc (Galatians 5:19-21). As Christians, we need to sanctify ourselves from these evils as well.
I Thessalonians 4:4-5 - …that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor; not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
By default, the life of a sinner is full of degradation, disgrace and humiliation. Sinners are trapped in this condition by the lust of the flesh.
The Christian life, however, is designed to be full of honor and glory. When God redeems us, he breaks the power of sin in our lives, but that doesn’t mean the battle is over. We must exercise discipline and control over our own bodies on a daily basis.
Here is a truth we sometimes want to avoid: Your body is under your command and control; it can do nothing of itself. It will do whatever you command it to do, until it is separated from your spirit. In other words, you are in control of your actions.
There is an old phrase that goes something like this: ‘The devil made me do it.’ That is not a true statement. (It’s not a good excuse either.) The devil may have tempted you to do something wrong, but you were the one who ordered your body to do it!
Paul commands believers to sanctify themselves and to practice self-control. Instead of allowing our passions to rule us, we must use our bodies to glorify God and complete the work of his kingdom.
Romans 6:13 – Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
Here is something to consider: When the body is put to uses it was never intended for (sin in general and specifically in this case sexual sin), it will be destroyed. Sometimes that happens instantly, sometimes it occurs slowly, but either way improper usage of the body results in it being broken, destroyed, debased or rendered unusable.
The awesome thing is that when we trust in Christ as our Redeemer, Holy Spirit comes into our bodies to assist us in the process of sanctification, which in turn makes us eligible for the Master’s use (II Timothy 2:20-22). See our last post for full details.
I Thessalonians 4:6 - …that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
This matter – ‘This matter’ refers to the topic under discussion in verses 3-5, which is sanctification and/or holiness. Paul now moves on from sexual sins to the subject of ‘transgressing and wronging’ another person.
Transgress – To transgress is to go beyond a boundary or limit; to violate a command, law or moral principle. It implies an element of greed or avarice. The idea is that because of lust, desire or greed for something (or someone), you go beyond the limits of what is right. 
For example, thieves normally desire or covet the possessions of others. Because of their desire, they will transgress the law by robbing your house or stealing your car.
Wrong – To wrong someone is to defraud or cheat them. This term also carries a connotation of oppression (the use of authority to treat others unfairly; to deny them opportunities or benefits that others enjoy). We often describe it as taking advantage of someone.
Regarding this matter, Paul is essentially telling Christians to treat our neighbors as ourselves. He is generally saying that no Christian should attempt to deprive or defraud another person of their rights, including (but not limited to) their land, possessions, business interests, family, or opportunities in general.
In the case of the Thessalonians, it meant that sanctification/holiness would exhibit itself in the justice and equity of all their dealings with others, especially in business. For example, they were not to use false weights/measures. They were not to increase the price of goods based on the wealth of the buyer or dishonor a contract. They were not to take advantage of the weak, desperate or ignorant.
To do so would be a grievous sin, because the gospel condemns dishonesty, theft, cheating and covetousness:
Colossians 3:5 –Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
These sins become especially heinous when one defrauds another Christian.
This is a good time for us to check our own dealings with others. Are we dishonest in some of our interactions with others? If so, we need to repent and make amends immediately, because the Lord sees us!
Because the Lord is an avenger in all these things – Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God will punish those who defraud another. The guilty person may or may not receive punishment from civil authorities, but God will surely see it and exact punishment for these sinful actions. The text implies that this judgment will occur at the end of the age on the Day of Judgment, which that generation felt was imminent.
As we told and warned you - This phrase refers back to verses 1-2, where it was clear that the Thessalonians had been systematically taught to live in holiness.
I Thessalonians 4:7 – For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
Scripture tells us that God sets us apart as his peculiar possession, calling us to a life of holiness and good works:
Titus 2:14 - …who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Formerly the Thessalonians lived in iniquity and impurity. But they were now called into life and communion with Christ, who loves righteousness and holiness. They were to adhere to the precepts of the gospel, which deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and sin.
As Christians, they were to sanctify themselves in thoughts, words and actions. They were to fulfill the particular callings which God had placed upon their lives, which can only be accomplished when they lived in a righteous and godly manner.
This command was delivered time and time again to all of the churches under Paul’s guidance. Just to reiterate one more time, impurity refers not just to sexual immorality, but to all forms of uncleanness, corruption, lust, wickedness, etc.
I Thessalonians 4:8 – Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
Disregards God - The apostles who ministered to the Thessalonians (particularly Paul), had the whole of the gospel revealed to them directly from God. They were great fountains of both Christian knowledge/doctrine and practical living. Therefore they were to be considered vessels of God and anyone who rejected their teaching was essentially rejecting God.
Luke 10:16 – The one who hears you hears me [Jesus], and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me [God the Father].
(See also Galatians 1:11-12). More specifically, Paul is saying that any Christian who ignores the commands to live a holy life is actually disobeying God himself. 
Who gives us his Holy Spirit – Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they had received Holy Spirit into their lives when they were converted. Holy Spirit would help them distinguish what proceeded from God and what didn’t. Because of this, there should be no question that the command to sanctification was not from man but from God.
In addition, because the Thessalonians were vessels of Holy Spirit, it was only proper for them to exhibit/demonstrate the difference between holiness and impurity for the entire world to see. Holy Spirit makes it possible for them to do exactly that, by aiding them in the process of sanctification.
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of sanctification. He is one behind the present, progressive work of sanctification which continues in the life of every believer until they die.
Let me offer you some encouragement:
Many of the Christians alive today seem to be under the misconception that God ‘winks’ at sexual impurity. Like the Thessalonians, they don’t consider sexual impurity to be a big deal. They have convinced themselves that they have valid reasons to engage in sexual sin, and therefore their actions are justified.
In reality, nothing could be further from the truth! God hates sexual impurity just as much today as he did during the era of the Thessalonian church.
Are you currently involved in some type of sexual immorality? If so, you are actively engaging in rebellion against God and that isn’t going to end well for you.
Please understand that God loves you and he wants the best for you, but you won’t get to that place through sin. Sin only brings bondage. By contrast, there is freedom in Christ. The first step to being free is to acknowledge your sin and repent.
Once that is complete, I encourage you to seek out your pastor for godly council and practical advice on how to proceed. The sooner you do so, the better.
Let me offer you some relief and some strength:
All Christians are commanded to live lives that are sanctified to God. This means we are set apart for his service; we are no longer our own, we are servants of the King.
As such, we should separate ourselves from anything and everything that is a ‘lust of the flesh’. We should strive to become vessels of honor in God’s service, so that we can be used for good works that glorify his name.
Each of us must individually commit to living a sanctified life, however, we don’t have to rely solely on our own power.
God has blessed us with the bible - a clear set of guidelines to follow in our walk with him. By following these guidelines we can avoid the traps, snares and bondages that Satan has set up for us.
Psalms 119:105 – Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
God has also given us his Spirit who dwells in us and empowers us for righteous living.
By walking in his ways, we are able to avoid many of the heartaches and trials experienced by those who serve Satan. If we do stumble or fall on occasion, we have the assurance that God forgives and cleanses us; he will free us from the traps of the enemy and once again set our feet on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.
As a committed servant of the Lord, we can look forward to victory and joy in this life and in the next!