The Best 40 Bible Verses About Sexual Immorality

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Everywhere we turn today, we see the words sex, fornication, adultery, and cheating. Sexual immorality is not only blatant, but it is also subtle. Sexual immorality has been around since The Fall of Man. Although usage of this term has been changed throughout the years, how the Bible defines it will never change. Through this article, you can find Bible verses and learn what the Bible says about sexual immorality.

What Is Sexual Immorality?

Acts of sexual immorality in the Bible often translate as porneia; a Greek word that also means prostitution, whoredom, and fornication. Notice that the meaning of the word did not directly translate as adultery as it is not limited to it. Any sexual activity that goes against God’s standard written in the Bible is considered as sexual immorality. Also, the Bible warns us about sexual immorality in several verses, such as Acts 15:20. However, people today have been desensitized to the idea of casual sex or not giving enough divine consideration about it. We have become deaf to God’s words, which is actually for our own good both physically and spiritually  (Nehemiah 9:26-27).

1 Timothy 1:8-11 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

What Can You Consider As Sexual Immorality?

Sexual immorality means having sexual relations or committing sexual acts that go against what was written in the Bible.

Homosexuality is sexual immorality. Time has changed, and so have the people’s adherence to God’s word. More and more people have been desensitized with sin, and instead of correcting it, they justified it instead.

Christian communities stand on the belief that the union between people of the same gender is a sin. No matter what the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer) community claims, the Bible says otherwise. For example, the LGBTQ community claims that their relationships are as normal as any heterogenous relationship.

The LGBTQ++ community, as they call themselves, argues that being attracted to the same gender is not something they choose, rather it’s a natural feeling of love, and love is made by God. 

The LGBTQ community uses certain Bible verses to argue that everyone heterosexual or homosexual should respect all people.  They point out that everyone has sinned so no one has the right to judge anyone. However, verses that they usually site are taken out of context. There is no verse in the Bible that claims God makes mistakes in giving us our specific gender and sexuality. He created each person perfect the way we are when we were born (Acts 17:26).

Mark 10:6-9  But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female

Love is perfect

As long as we base our love on the author of love Himself. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “…Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth”. Truth is the Bible itself. Everything that goes against it would be considered evil in the eyes of God, our creator.

We pick and choose what we call “sin”

The Bible has directly spoken about homosexuality and committing sexual immorality. The debate about homosexuality has been a continuous topic that has been around for generations. But if we consult the Bible about it, this is what it says:

Romans 1:27-28 And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient

Sexual contact with sexually immoral people makes you one of them

According to the Bible, sleeping with another person while in a committed marriage isn’t the only action considered as sexual immorality. When two people commit a sexual act, within or outside marriage, the Lord considers them as one flesh. The Bible tells us not to associate with anyone who is sexually immoral. This is because we may be tempted and become sexually immoral as well (1 Corinthians 5:11). The punishment for sexual immortality won’t be greater nor lesser for either but will be equal.

1 Corinthians 6:15-16 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!  Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”

This is why God gave us the gift of marriage for us to avoid worldly temptations. In other words, having a wife should prevent a man from sleeping with another woman; having a husband should prevent a woman from sleeping with another man. Being husband and wife through love and marriage frees Christians from sexually immoral acts.

1 Corinthians 7:1-2 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

God can read our hearts and minds

Through our hearts and minds, we can commit sin. Our thoughts are the beginning of our every action. We must be very careful about what we think as God considers lustful and worldly thoughts as sexually immoral.

Mark 7:20-23 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

We should think in-line with what’s stated in the Bible and according to Christ’s teachings. This is because God holds us accountable for our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5-6). As much as adultery is punishable by God’s law, so as thinking about it. Desiring or sexually thinking of anyone who is not your other half can also be considered as adultery.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

What Does The Bible Say About Sexual Immorality

Sexuality is God’s gift

God is the author of love and He gave us the right to be sexually intimate with our partner. However, along with these gifts are commandments that we should adhere to. Just like how we look at the manual given to us when we unbox our new appliance or gadget, the Bible is the manual of our body and our whole life. Also, going against the freely given manual will surely not have a good effect.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.

Sexually-transmitted diseases are punishments for sexual immorality

Committing sexually immoral deeds is a sin against our bodies. Today, as casual sex and sex outside marriage becomes more rampant, so have viruses and diseases. These diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and others can be acquired through sexual contact. Hence, the term “sin against our own body”. These diseases have a higher chance to be sexually transmitted when we have sex with prostitutes.

But how about children who are innocent and acquire diseases through birth? It’s not their fault their parents made decisions to be sexually immoral. They didn’t ask their parents to have contact with a sexually immoral person. Unfortunately, they are punished for their parent’s deeds as the whole family will be affected. Whether emotionally or physically, these diseases are a punishment for sexual immorality. The Bible says something like this:

Exodus 34:7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations.

What does the word “guilty” mean when pertaining to sexual immorality? Some conclude that this verse connotes the contrast between a forgiving God and the punishments to the innocents. However, put the word “guilty” into the context of the Bible. Guilty here means those who know the law of God but choose to ignore it. Those who know the truth, but exchange it for worldly desires.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,  not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.

What Does God Say About Sexual Immorality?

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God is a forgiving God. But if we continuously ignore His words, punishments in this world will not be the end of it. God will hold us accountable for sins against the laws He created for us.

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.

The verse explains that even if people pray, but choose to ignore God’s laws, their prayers are detestable to God. This is because it doesn’t come from a pure heart. Sinning with the knowledge that you are sinning is unforgivable. The Bible has declared the punishments for those who commit sexual immorality (Leviticus 20:10 – 16). Sexual immoral sins also include those who commit adultery.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Marriage is not just the union of the body, but it’s also the joining two people’s hearts and souls. Together, they should follow the biblical laws given by God to honor Him. They must the source of faith and strength for each other. The act of adultery in marriage is the same as sinning against God’s commandment (Exodus 20:14).

The Difference Between Fornication And Adultery

According to the Bible, both fornication and adultery are sexually immoral. Fornication is having consensual sex between two people without the involvement of marriage. However, adultery is when one or both partners having consensual sex are married. Also, marriage is the foundation of society and comes with the spiritual growth of children from the marriage. Adultery destroys the parental feeling for the children and makes relations in the family complicated.

Although both can be done in secret, God’s eyes are everywhere. He can see every transgression no matter how discreet we do it.

Proverb 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

So, there is a vast difference between fornication and adultery. The apostle Paul preached against fornication. He explained that it is a sin against our bodies and advised us not to sin against ourselves and God.  A person’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-19).

Biblical Stories About Sexual Immorality

There are many biblical stories in which we can see the acts of sexual immorality. However, that does not mean we can follow those examples and be excused for our disgraceful actions. There were punishments that came upon those who sinned. Sexual immorality has and will always be punished by God in some way. That includes not being allowed into Heaven unless the sinner repents.

Acts 15:29 “You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

This verse was told to the Gentile Christians of Antioch. It explains what is to be done when they commit sexual immorality. Christians should not only be careful in what they say and do but how they speak and act.

David Committed Adultery

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Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

One famous story in the Bible was when David slept with Bathsheba.  She was a married woman who killed her husband to hide his transgressions (2 Samuel 11:1-15). After the woman mourned for her husband, David took her as his wife.

Jeremiah 3:9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

God then sent a man to tell David how displeased He was for fornicating with a married woman. Though she was widowed, she still is considered a married woman. Afterward, when David’s son was born through this act of adultery, his son became ill. So, David tried to repent by fasting and laying on the ground (2 Samuel 12:16). However, though God forgave David, his son still died. And, throughout the bible, we can see how God’s punishment can have dire effects.

1 Corinthians 10:8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.

Joseph Ran Away From Sexual Immorality

Not all stories of sexual immorality in the bible are bad. A good example of how we should deal with sexual immorality is the example Joseph gave us. As a man rooted in God, he managed to keep away from sexual immorality. Though he was tempted by a married woman to get in bed with her, he refused.

Proverbs 5:3-22 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end, she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

Joseph the dreamer was not just tested by trials once. After he was sold to Egypt, he came to serve a rich Egyptian named Potiphar whose wife fancied Joseph. She tried to seduce him, but Joseph avoided her seduction attempts though she was persistent.

Genesis 39:10 The woman talked to Joseph every day, but he refused to have sexual relations with her or even spend time with her.

His attempts worked until one day when they were left alone in the house. Potiphar’s wife grabbed Joseph’s coat and attempted to seduce him again. But being a man of God, Joseph fled from her.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

Joseph had set the example for all Christians. Instead of tolerating sexual immorality, stop it even from its earliest signs; thoughts and words. If it is continuous, we should run away from it, literally.

Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

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Other Instances Of Sexual Immorality In The Bible

God rebuked all kinds of immorality and the verses on sexual immorality below will show how He reprimanded Israel for doing shameful acts.

1 Corinthians  5:1

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.

Jeremiah 13:27

Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?”

How Can We Avoid Sexual Immorality?

Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;

We are humans and we are never free from the weakness of our flesh

Temptations surround our daily lives and Satan will always find a way to make us commit sins. In this regard, we must always turn to God and listen to His words as often as possible. Not only will it be a good distraction against worldly thoughts, but it will also strengthen our faith. It will give us immunity to fight these weaknesses.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Use our body and strength to serve God

The world needs more of God’s love and us, His children, should be the mirror that reflects it for everyone.

Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

We must avoid things He forbids, and that includes thinking about immoral things, much more engaging to it. One can consider pornographic materials, unholy gatherings, and blasphemous shows as sinful.  Consuming it is equal to supporting the people making it. Moreso, it corrupts our thoughts.

Matthew 15:17-20 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body?  But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

Acts 15:29 “You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

Let’s honor Him by helping people in need; strive to be a good person; lead others to know Him. By doing good, we do not just contribute to the goodness that the world desperately needs.  But we also please Our Father above.

1 Corinthians 6:12 The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

The Bible’s Final Words On Sexual Immorality

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Even though we accept more things today, God’s word should always be the basis of our belief. Our knowledge and justifications will never be valid against the one who created us. He always wanted the best for us. No matter how the world will change, His words will never change according to us.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord. I do not change.