Who do you want to be completely united with?
The sin of idolatry (breaking the first and second of the Ten Commandments) consists of pledging loyalty and giving yourself to false gods, which can “neither see nor hear.” (See Exodus 20:1-6, Deuteronomy 4:28, Deuteronomy 5:7-10, Mosiah 12:34-36, Mosiah 13:12-14). The sin of adultery (breaking the seventh commandment) consists of pledging loyalty and giving yourself to another person to whom you have no permanent commitment. (See Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 5:18, Mosiah 13:22.)
The apostle Paul highlights the inherent contradiction in this action in his first epistle to the Corinthians. “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?” he asked. “Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.” Then, emphasizing the permanence that God intended to be associated with sexual relationships, he added, “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh” (1 Corinthians 6:16-17; see also Genesis 2:24).
Then, Paul gives the the following guidance: “Flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18). He doesn’t say to avoid fornication or resist the temptation. He says, “flee,” which calls to mind Joseph’s response to the advances of Potiphar’s wife. (See Genesis 39:11-12.) Get as far away from it as possible. Don’t flirt with it. Don’t take chances.
We don’t use the word “fornication” very often in modern English. Most modern Bible translations render this passage, “Flee from sexual immorality.” The Amplified Bible (which adds contextual information in brackets) says, “Run away from sexual immorality [in any form, whether thought or behavior, whether visual or written].” I particularly like the International Standard Version: “Keep on running away from sexual immorality.” (See 1 Corinthians 6:18 on biblehub.com.)
Alma addressed this topic with two of his sons. “Bridle all your passions,” he said to Shiblon, “that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12). And to Corianton, who had already committed a serious sexual sin, he counseled, “Go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things” (Alma 39:9).
The booklet “For the Strength of Youth” provides the following guidance about maintaining sexual purity:
Outside of marriage between a man and a woman, it is wrong to touch the private, sacred parts of another person’s body even if clothed. In your choices about what you do, look at, read, listen to, think about, post, or text, avoid anything that purposely arouses lustful emotions in others or yourself. This includes pornography in any form. If you find that situations or activities make temptations stronger, avoid them. You know what those situations and activities are.
“Your Body is Sacred,” For the Strength of Youth
Elder David A. Bednar taught:
As we pursue the pathway of virtue, “the Holy Ghost shall be [our] constant companion” (D&C 121:46). Thus, living the law of chastity invites some of the greatest blessings men and women can receive in mortality: appropriate spiritual confidence in the presence of family, friends, Church associates, and, ultimately, the Savior.
“We Believe in Being Chaste,” General Conference, April 2013
Today, I will remember to whom I am permanently united: to God first, and to my wife eternally. I will flee from anything which would compromise those relationships. I will remember that chastity in action, word, and thought is an affirmation of loyalty to the most important relationships in my life.