Hi everybody, Gregg Caruso here, in the light of recent events, the leadership team here at MPVCC thought it would be appropriate to take a look at issues related to sexuality…

Check this out:

• Average age of first Internet exposure to pornography: 11 years old
• Largest consumer of Internet pornography: 12-17 age group
• 15-17 year olds having multiple hard-core exposures: 80%
• 8-16 year olds having viewed porn online: 90% (most while doing homework)
• Christians who said pornography is a major problem in the home: 47%

I’d like to take a look at some sources over the next several days that will help all of us be aware of what the Bible says as well a host of additional resources. First, let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 12:21…

“I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.” 2 Corinthians 12:21 (NAS)

NIV – impurity, sexual sin, debauchery
NKJ – uncleanness, fornication, lewdness

1. Impurity – Greek word: AKATHARSIA (ak-ath-ar’-see-ah) meaning uncleanness. Used 29 times in the NT. In the Gospels this word is directly related to demonization in every instance (see Mat. 12:43; Mark 1:26; 3:30; 5:8; etc.). In Acts and Corinthians the word is used in reference to Jewish ceremonial uncleanness. In Eph. 5:5 it is used to describe a person who will not have an inheritance in the kingdom of God. In Rev.17:4 the word is used in the context of sexual impurity. Sexual impurity is generally described as: masturbation, premarital petting, sexual fantasy, crude jesting, foul jokes, pornography, some DVD’s, some videos – any impure communication.

2. Immorality – Greek word: PORNEIA (por-ni’-ah) literally means to act as the harlot. Indulge unlawful lust (in a religious sense). Any sexual intercourse outside of God’s plan for marriage. Sexual immorality is: fornication, adultery, sodomy, incest, promiscuity, premarital intercourse, prostitution, bestiality, ?

3. Sensuality – Greek word: ASELGEIA (as-elg’-i-a) meaning characterized by expressing lust; or other vices and disregarding accepted moral standards; morally unrestrained.

CONVICTION VS. CONDEMNATION

1. Conviction will focus our attention on the adequacy of Jesus. “The Holy Spirit will convict the world concerning sin.” (John 16:8)
2. Condemnation will focus our attention on our own hopelessness. “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)