Lesson 41

Many people feel uncomfortable talking about sex. However, when the Bible mentions sex, it does so in a frank but dignified way. What it says benefits us. That makes sense. After all, Jehovah is our Creator. So he knows what is best for us. He shows us how our actions can please him and what will help us to enjoy life forever.

Sex is a gift from Jehovah. He wants it to be enjoyed by a man and a woman who are married to each other. This gift allows couples not only to have children but also to express their mutual love and affection in a natural and pleasurable way. That is why God’s Word states: “May you rejoice with the wife of your youth.” (Proverbs 5:18, 19)

Jehovah expects married Christians to be loyal to their mate, so they would never commit adultery.

Read Hebrews 13.4: Let marriage be honorable among all, and let the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers.

The Bible tells us that “those who are sexually immoral... will not inherit God’s Kingdom.” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)

Bible writers who wrote in Greek used the word por·neiʹa to describe sexual immorality. That word includes (1) sexual relations between people who are not married to each other, (2) homosexuality, and (3) bestiality. Footnote

We please Jehovah and benefit ourselves when we “abstain from sexual immorality.”— 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

Consider how you can avoid sexual immorality and how you will benefit by staying morally clean.

A faithful man named Joseph struggled to stay morally clean.

Read Genesis 39.1-12: Now Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and an Egyptian named Potiphar, a court official of Pharaoh and chief of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. But Jehovah was with Joseph. As a result, he became successful and was put over the house of his master, the Egyptian. And his master saw that Jehovah was with him and that Jehovah was making everything that he did successful. Joseph kept finding favor in his eyes, and he became his personal attendant. So he appointed him over his house, and he put him in charge of all that was his. From the time he appointed him over his house and in charge of all that was his, Jehovah kept blessing the house of the Egyptian because of Joseph, and Jehovah’s blessing came to be on all that he had in the house and in the field. He eventually left everything that was his in Joseph’s care, and he gave no thought to anything except the food he was eating. Moreover, Joseph grew to be well-built and handsome. Now after these things, the wife of his master began to cast her eyes on Joseph and say: “Lie down with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife: “Here my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has entrusted everything he has into my care. There is no one greater in this house than I am, and he has not withheld from me anything at all except you, because you are his wife. So how could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” So day after day she spoke to Joseph, but he never consented to lie with her or to remain with her. But on one of the days when he went into the house to do his work, none of the household servants were in the house. Then she grabbed hold of him by his garment and said: “Lie down with me!” But he left his garment in her hand and fled outside.

Discuss these questions:

What motivated Joseph to flee?—See verse 9 .

Do you think that Joseph made the right decision? Why?

How can young people imitate Joseph and flee from sexual immorality today? Play the VIDEO.

Jehovah wants all of us to reject immorality.

Read 1 Corinthians 6.18: Flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body, but whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body.

Discuss these questions:

What situations could lead someone to commit sexual immorality?

How can you flee from immorality?

What can make it difficult to resist the temptation to commit sexual immorality? Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

When the brother in the video realized that his thoughts and actions could result in his being unfaithful to his wife, what did he do?

Even faithful Christians struggle at times to keep their thoughts clean. How can you avoid dwelling on immoral things?

Read Philippians 4.8: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things.

Discuss these questions:

What kind of things should we think about?

How can reading the Bible and keeping ourselves busy in Jehovah’s service help us resist the temptation to sin?

Jehovah knows what is best for us. He tells us how to keep morally clean and the benefits of doing so. Read Proverbs 7:7-27 or play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.

Read Proverbs 7.7-27: And as I observed the naive ones, I discerned among the youths a young man lacking good sense. He passed along the street near her corner, And he marched in the direction of her house In the twilight, in the evening, At the approach of night and darkness. Then I saw a woman meet him, Dressed like a prostitute, with a cunning heart. She is loud and defiant. She never stays at home. One moment she is outside, next she is in the public squares, She lurks near every corner. She grabs hold of him and gives him a kiss; With a bold face, she says to him: “I had to offer communion sacrifices. Today I paid my vows. That is why I came out to meet you, To look for you, and I found you! I have spread fine covers upon my bed, Colorful linen from Egypt. I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us drink our fill of love until the morning; Let us enjoy passionate love together, For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a distant journey. He took a bag of money with him, And he will not return until the day of the full moon.” She misleads him with great persuasiveness. She seduces him with smooth speech. Suddenly he goes after her, like a bull to the slaughter, Like a fool to be punished in the stocks, Until an arrow pierces his liver; Like a bird rushing into a trap, he does not know that it will cost him his life. And now, my sons, listen to me; Pay attention to the words I speak. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways. Do not stray onto her paths, For she has caused many to fall down slain, And those she has killed are numerous. Her house leads to the Grave; It goes down to the inner chambers of death.

What would you say?

Sex is a gift from Jehovah for a husband and his wife to enjoy.

What does sexual immorality include?

What will help us to avoid sexual immorality?

How do we benefit when we follow Jehovah’s moral standards?

Lesson completed on:

Memorize one or two scriptures from this lesson that will help you to resist immoral temptations.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 41, memorize 1 Corinthians 6:18: Flee from sexual immorality! Every other sin that a man may commit is outside his body, but whoever practices sexual immorality is sinning against his own body.

1. Examine why it matters to God whether couples marry or not.

“What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Without Marriage?” (Web article) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Consider why the Bible’s standard regarding homosexuality does not promote hatred.

“Is Homosexuality Wrong?” (Web article) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Learn how God’s laws regarding all sexual activity protect us.

“Is Oral Sex Really Sex?” (Web article) Open explore 3 in new page

4. In the experience “They Treated Me With Dignity,” see what motivated a homosexual to change his way of life to please God.

“The Bible Changes Lives” (The Watchtower, April 1, 2011) Open explore 4 in new page