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.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit (1 Corinthians 6:15b-17).

To take one of God’s glorious gifts and buy or sell it as a commodity insults God and perverts the gift. It also degrades your body, which you use to serve God.

Paul is addressing literal prostitution here, but it’s worth noting that the image is used throughout the Bible to describe those who have abandoned God to serve others. Molech, Baal, Asherah–they all represent trading the beauty and fulfillment of God’s design for something cheap and petty and dangerous. So before you tsk tsk the Corinthians and cruise on past this verse, do a quick heart check: are you engaging in spiritual prostitiution? Is there any area of your life in which you are trading unity with the Lord for cheap thrills? If you’re not sure, ask him–he’ll let you know.

Do not stray from your Beloved, Beloved.

The consequences may be worse than an STD.

Happy Thursday, Beloved