Be Holy: Define Sexual Immorality

“See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.” (Hebrews 12:16-17)

What does it mean to be sexually immoral? That’s the question millions of us have used to justify being sexually immoral. As soon as we start trying out new definitions for sin, we’d better ask ourselves what appetite is driving our research.

holy_350Hungry Esau sold something irreplaceable for the price of a lunch because in that moment he placed a higher value on his physical longing than any possible consequence waiting for him in the future. And all the “I’m sorry’s” in the world couldn’t undo that choice.

God calls his attitude “godless.” Godlessness is deciding that in this moment God is not a reality. For me, right now, God doesn’t exist, so I will never have to answer to Him for what I’m about to do. Godlessness fails if God is real and if He demands holiness.

He is and He does.

Think: Have you ever started to question the reality of the biblical God — or of the definition of sin — because of a strong craving for something physical? What would you say is the opposite of godlessness?

Pray: Ask God to help you to be the opposite of godless.

Do: Read Esau’s sad story in Genesis 25:29-34 and 27:30-40.