Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 6:16–17
God never wants us to join ourselves to the things that our flesh longs for. God had Paul write this in 1 Corinthians 6:16–17, “Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” 17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” Our flesh can long for a lot of things, and most of what our flesh longs for brings dishonor to our Lord. God reminds us in 1 John 2:15–17, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” God warns us about falling in love with the things of this world. We must never forget that nothing in this world is going to last. Also, what we think at the moment our fleshly desires begin to burn within us will bring us satisfaction always leaves us empty and simply longing for more of what will never satisfy us. God had Paul remind the Christians in Corinth that they were one with the Lord, for His Spirit lived in them. The same is true for us.
Challenge & Application
Besides God’s loving discipline (Hebrews 12:5–11), what are some other consequences of giving in to our fleshly desires?
Why should we never be united sexually with anyone other than our spouse?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!