Burning Our Clothes

by Micky Galloway

We would all think it foolish to burn our clothes, however Solomon asks, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?” (Proverbs 6:27). Who better qualified to address the subject of morality, uncleanness, fornication, and adultery than Solomon? He had suffered greatly for his own sins. He extols the virtues of the commandments of God to keep one from the evil woman. He then warns, “Lust not after her beauty in thy heart; Neither let her take thee with her eyelids” (Proverbs 6:25). He warns of the ruin that is brought to one’s life when he ignorantly falls into such a trap. “For on account of a harlot (a man is brought) to a piece of bread; And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life” (Proverbs 6:26). When we consider how popular this lifestyle is, what exceeding harmful consequences it has, and how certainly destructive it is to spiritual life, we shall not cease to wonder why the cautions against it are so often repeated! And so, Solomon asks, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?”

No one can carry fire in his lap and not be burned! The adulteress or whoremonger (fornicator) is a fire clasped in one’s bosom. The whoremonger or adulterer treads upon the coals of lust and he cannot, therefore, expect to escape the flame of conscience and of judicial vengeance. “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers (fornicators, ASV) and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4 KJV). As God created the marriage relationship between man and woman, He called it “honorable.”

Most N.T. passages that discuss sins such as “lasciviousness,” “uncleanness,” and “fornication” are addressed to Christians. These works of the flesh are “manifest” (Galatians 5:19); that is they are open, clearly demonstrated, and obviously opposed to righteousness. Surely, an understanding of these terms should stir the feeling of abhorrence for what they indicate in the heart of every child of God.

What is fornication? There are several words, both nouns and verbs, that are translated “fornication” or some form of the word. “Fornication” is defined as: “The practice of sexual immorality and harlotry: hence a symbol for idolatry … in the N.T. the words for ‘fornication,’ ‘to practice fornication,’ etc., refer to every kind of sexual intercourse outside marriage” (The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Volume 2, page 321). This is a broad term that includes any kind of sexual immorality: whoredom; concubinage; adultery; incest; lewdness; uncleanness; prostitution of one’s body to the lust of another, whether it be male or female; homosexuality; bestiality; every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse; including the sexual unfaithfulness of a married man or woman (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). One could use a ream of paper copying the many definitions of the term, but this is hardly necessary.

What promotes fornication? This question is not difficult when we consider our own attitudes toward such a low moral standard; and the sensual emphasis placed upon every phase of our life. Consider the following reasons fornication has become an accepted part of life.

(1) Our concept of marriage. Less than 50 years ago divorce and remarriage was not acceptable socially much less religiously. Today, even in the church, the cause of divorce is considered irrelevant. Adultery is defined to describe illicit intercourse with the spouse of another and fornication is usually understood to be the broader term including all kinds of unlawful sexual behavior of all people, married or unmarried. The commandment “thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14), included all sexual sins among all people. The nature of sexual sins included rape, incest, seduction, sodomy, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality, and self abuse (Leviticus 18:6-23; 19:20,29; 20:10-21; Deuteronomy 22:13-30). Most of these sins were punishable by death. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). This is quite different to the present concept of marriage where one can go in and out of relationships as he pleases and feel he is not guilty of one of the most destructive sins.

(2) Loose morals among the young. Morals are learned from those about us; friends, parents, teachers and political leaders. We obviously live in a society where “sexual freedom” is the norm. Contraceptives are provided for our children. The Food and Drug Administration on June 20, 2013 approved unrestricted sales of the “morning after” pills, lifting all age limits (any girl, any age) on the “emergency contraceptive.” With the recent acceptance of “Same-sex” marriage, ungodliness seems more than tolerated, it is encouraged! A recent Gallop poll (7-4-13) showed that an unprecedented 53 % of Americans believe same sex marriages should be legal. That’s the highest level of support since Gallup began asking the question in 1996 where support was only 27%.

What about divorce? Past statistics have shown that in the U.S. 50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second, and 73% of third marriages end in divorce (2-6-12 by Mark Banschick, M.D. in The Intelligent Divorce). With such staggering numbers, it appears almost futile to instruct fathers, “provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). However, if our children and grandchildren are to survive we must teach them how to live in a wicked world. In an environment with such twisted thinking, with proper teaching and example, we can train our children to mature with proper respect for righteous living.

(3) Immoral emphasis in entertainment. The whole entertainment world is given to the spread of corrupt sexual practices. Obviously, this is what the world considers entertaining. It is becoming more and more difficult to watch a movie or a TV program where there is not suggestive or open display of some form of fornication, including homosexuality, and, no doubt, scenes of men married to men rearing children, or women married to women are on the horizon. What are we willing to allow in our homes? Many so called “Christians” will allow things into our homes in the form of magazines, TV shows, movies, or computer sites that we would not dare allow through the front door! We have become so conditioned that we accept these as no longer offensive forms of entertainment, but rather an acceptable way of life.

What can we do? Though this is not an extensive list of dangers, fornication has a destructive impact upon every aspect of our lives. It has resulted in disease and death; it has destroyed nations, families, and churches. Often the regrettable lifetime memories it creates for us and others are never considered. Fornication of every form begins in the heart, so to correct the problem we must begin with our heart. Jesus said, “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings” (Matthew 15:19). Beloved that means our moral values are a choice like any other sin! “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves (as) servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Romans 6:16)? Let us get our hearts right! The Bible teaches us to abstain from fornication (I Thessalonians 4:3). We are not to let fornication be once named among us (Ephesians 5:3). Fornicators will not inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21), but rather will have “their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 20:8). We must withdraw ourselves from those who profess to be brethren who are guilty of fornication who will not repent (I Corinthians 5:9-11). Let us “FLEE FORNICATION” (I Corinthians 6:18). This sin can only be escaped by FLEEING. Never flirt with sin! Do not stay and reason about it or debate the matter or test the strength of your virtues. One is SAFE from this sin only when he FLEES. Indeed, One cannot take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned. He cannot walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched.