In today’s reading, Apostle Paul throws more light on why believers should “flee from sexual immorality”. Paul explains that all sins a person commits are outside his or her body but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. We learn here that there are sins outside the body; these do not immediately and directly affect the body, or waste energies, and destroy lives. Such is the case with falsehood, theft, malice, dishonesty, pride, etc. They do not immediately and directly weaken the body.

The other category of sin is sin against the body; this directly impacts a person’s body, and it comes out clear for people to see. The list here includes indulging in sexual sin. This wastes physical energy, brings weakness and may open one to several diseases that may shorten one’s life among others.

Living a life of purity has many benefits: it frees you from sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, etc. It also saves you from unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, it helps you to maintain focus in life. A life of purity boosts your self-honour and self-confidence, and helps to develop trust and faithfulness in your relationships.

Living in purity earns you a lot of respect from the community. It connects you to a responsible partner for marriage in the community and causes you to gain the admiration of all, including the church. By living a life of purity and righteousness, you prove to be a child of God, living a life without fault in this perverse generation.