Paul gave the believers at Thessalonica the commandments of God regarding personal purity.
The word commandments is a military term. It refers to orders handed down from superior
officers. We are soldiers in God’s army, and we must obey orders.
Paul reminded these new believers that sexual immorality does not please God. God created sex,
and He has the authority to govern its use. From the beginning He established marriage as a
sacred union between one man and one woman. God created sex both for the continuance of the
race and for the pleasure of the marriage partners.
God’s commandments concerning sex are not for the purpose of robbing people of joy, but rather
of protecting them that they might not lose their joy. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus
20:14) builds a wall around marriage that makes the relationship not a prison, but a safe and
beautiful garden.
We never have to seek to know the will of God in this matter, He has told us clearly. “Abstain
from fornication” is His commandment, and no amount of liberal theology or modem philosophy

can alter it. God’s purpose is our sanctification, that we might live separated lives in purity of
mind, and body.
Be advised: “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his
commanding officer” (2 Timothy 2:4, NIV).
For further study: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21;
1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4.
Action assignment: In your own words, write down how you believe God wants you to live to be
pure in your own life. Talk to God about temptations you may have had and tell Him how you
want to live.

WARREN W. WIERSBE
www.backtothebible.in