“远避淫行….用圣洁、尊贵守着自己的身体。” - 帖前 4:3-4
“淫行”这个概念包含了每一种和性有关的罪。但有很多性行为并不是罪。今天，基督徒们经常要面临的挑战是，如何辨别哪些性行为是罪，哪些不是。
我们今天读到的原则告诉我们，性行为在什么时候是合宜的，在什么时候是越界的。合宜的性行为是圣洁的、尊贵的。圣洁的意思是指“为服事神而设立”。
尊贵是指对神和他人体现了尊重和敬意，认识到他们有独特的价值。性行为若尊重上帝的旨意，建造祂的国度，就是圣洁的。婚姻中的性行为是圣洁的。与所爱的人牵手的喜悦是圣洁的。这些都是尊贵的，其他与性相关的行为也是同理。
但是，由强烈的情欲驱使的性行为或纯粹利用他人的性行为是不好的。强烈的情欲指的是我们太沉迷其中，以至于无暇顾及真正的益处。而利用他人指的是牺牲他人的利益来服务我们自己的欲望。
用圣洁和尊贵守着自己的身体，将我们从世界中分别出来，因为世界鼓励我们追求并满足一切欲望。任何限制可能让我们感到不舒服，如果我们在这一方面跌倒了，可能需要很大的恩典来挽回。但得胜的奖赏是——在性的方面享受圣洁、尊贵的生活，这是神所应许的丰盛生命的组成部份。
祷告
主啊，请帮助我们不用我们的性行为伤害自己或他人，而是给予和接受由圣洁、尊贵的亲密关系所带来的深沉的喜悦。阿们。
帖撒罗尼迦前书 4:3-8
3神的旨意就是要你们成为圣洁，远避淫行，
4要你们各人晓得怎样用圣洁、尊贵守着自己的身体，
5不放纵私欲的邪情，像那不认识神的外邦人。
6不要一个人在这事上越分，欺负他的弟兄，因为这一类的事主必报应，正如我预先对你们说过，又切切嘱咐你们的。
7神召我们本不是要我们沾染污秽，乃是要我们成为圣洁。
8所以，那弃绝的不是弃绝人，乃是弃绝那赐圣灵给你们的神。
Sexual Immorality
"Avoid sexual immorality . . . to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable." - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“Sexual immorality” includes every sexual sin. But a lot of sexual behavior is not sinful. Followers of Christ today are often challenged to discern which sexual behaviors are sinful and which are not.
The guidelines in our reading for today show us when a sexual behavior is good and when it has crossed a line. Good sexual behaviors are holy and honorable. Holy means “set apart for service to God.” Honorable refers to showing respect and honor to God and others, recognizing that they have exceptional value. Sexual activities are holy when they honor God, building up his kingdom. Sex within marriage can be holy. The joy of holding hands with someone you’re attracted to can be holy. These can also be honorable, as can many other activities that express our sexuality.
But sexual behavior that is driven by passionate lust or takes advantage of someone is not good. Passionate lust refers to being so caught up that we are not even concerned for our own good. And taking advantage means serving our self at another person’s expense.
Being holy and honorable in our sexual behavior will set us widely apart from the world, for the world invites us to pursue any sexual desire. This may be uncomfortable for us, and it may require a lot of grace if we mess up. But the reward is sexually holy, honorable living that is part of the full life God promises.
Prayer
Lord, help us not to harm ourselves or others with our sexuality but to give and receive the deep joy of holy, honorable intimacy. Amen.
