Early Christians had to struggle with the issues such as lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, just as every individual today has to overcome these inborn tendencies.
Pornography might not have been as accessible over the internet as it is today, nor as available in the pictorial and descriptive forms found in magazines or books or films of the modern era. Still, debased human activities, where even bestiality was practiced, existed in those days. Homosexuality was commonplace and sodomy was practiced freely in the streets in some places, if ancient artifacts are any indication.
The book of Corinthians deals with matters of debased human behavior among those who were becoming members of the Church at that locale.
- Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)
- It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)
- But because of the temptation to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2)
- I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is. (1 Corinthians 7:26)
Christians are called to overcome such tendencies and learn that lust leads to everlasting wantonness, rather than the fulfillment that is found in knowing the ways of the righteous and experiencing the true love of God.
- No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Ignorance Might Be Bliss, But Not When It Comes Down To Being No Excuse
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