In Ephesians 6, Paul lists what he calls the ‘armor of God.’ It’s all a metaphor for how to avoid sin. He gives lots of strong verbs like “be strong,” “put on,” and “take up.”
But in a totally different letter to different people, he says something that seems almost at odds with this.
In 1 Corinthians 6, talking about sexual temptation, he says to run.
Why run?
Why not fight, like in Ephesians 6?
The answer is found in the nature of sex itself.
Sex is about intimacy. And as people we are designed to be intimate. It’s a core part of our existence. And it’s what defines our relationships with each other, and with God.
All other sins are external, Paul says. But sexual sins are against the core of who we are–against our own ability to relate as human.
Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you? You do not own yourself. You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God!
– Paul (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
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