Daily Bible Plan

8th August 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Unleashed to Save a Never-Dying Soul

Fortified City Church & Love City Church, Basel

🔥 Devotion: A Call to Purity and Accountability

📖 1 Corinthians 5:1–13

Alright, with this, our devotion today will focus on 1 Corinthians chapter 5, reading from verse 1 all the way to verse 13.

This chapter is very, very interesting—because Paul addresses something that’s, unfortunately, still common in the church today: sexual immorality.

Reading Paul’s letters gives us a blueprint of how the church should conduct itself—not to judge people, but to raise believers to the standard God desires.

Yes, salvation is free—but walking with God requires responsibility.

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

But faith doesn’t stand alone—it must be followed by obedience and holiness.

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📣 The Report Paul Received

Paul begins in verse 1 by saying:

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate…”

This wasn’t speculation. It was a clear report—and it reached Paul, even though he wasn’t physically present.

This tells us something important:

⚠ Sexual immorality in the church must be reported to spiritual leaders. It’s not gossip—it’s accountability. It’s part of protecting the body of Christ.

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😔 The Sin: A Man Sleeping with His Stepmother

Paul says, “A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” This was unthinkable—even for unbelievers.

Culturally, in those days, men could marry multiple wives, including younger women. So it’s possible this stepmother was close in age to the man. But none of that justifies it.

Today, we see similar trends:

People applauding love that’s clearly outside of God’s will. Sexual sin is often romanticized on social media—even among believers.

But wrong is still wrong, no matter how nicely it’s packaged.

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💔 Paul’s Grief—and His Instruction

Paul continues in verse 2:

“You are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?”

This is a hard truth: Paul instructs that the man be removed from fellowship.

Not out of hate—but to show that the church will not compromise on purity.

He says in verse 5:

“Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”

This sounds harsh, but it’s redemptive judgment—meant to wake the person up and lead them back to repentance.

🧠 This is where the church got the concept of suspending or disciplining someone caught in serious sin—not to destroy, but to restore through correction.

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🧂 “A Little Yeast Leavens the Whole Lump”

In verse 6, Paul makes a powerful statement:

“Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?”

This means one person’s sin, when tolerated, can affect the entire church.

If a ministry leader—pastor, singer, usher, media person—is involved in hidden sexual sin, it doesn’t just affect them.

It can spiritually pollute the whole system.

That’s why, as pastors, we have a duty to act in love and firmness—not to condemn, but to protect the spiritual health of the church.

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🙇🏽 Personal Responsibility: Examine Yourself

Let everyone examine themselves.

Paul is not speaking about unbelievers here. He says clearly in verses 9–10:

“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world… But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral…”

This is where many struggle. They say:

“We’re all sinners—don’t judge.”

But Paul says: Inside the church, we hold each other accountable.

❗We are not talking about someone who falls and repents.

We are talking about someone who knows the truth but continues to walk in deliberate sin.

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💧What Counts as Sexual Immorality?

It’s not just sleeping with someone.

• 💭 Sexual thoughts

• 🖥 Pornography

• 🤲 Masturbation

• 💬 Flirty DMs, lustful conversations

• 🤐 Secret relationships you know dishonor God

All of these are forms of sexual immorality.

💡 Only one form of sexual activity is honored by God: between husband and wife in marriage.

Whether you’re in a choir, a deacon, an usher, or a pastor, purity is not optional.

It should be your highest desire.

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📌 A Real-Life Example

I saw a reel on social media about a certain individual who had once come to me asking for prayers. I began to help them through discipleship, because one of their main struggles was dealing with people who constantly disappointed them.

We prayed, studied Scripture together, and they began to find hope again. But on this reel, they were now kissing their new-found partner—unmarried—and shamefully kissing in public view in the name of love.

This person is back in old patterns and cycles.

The sad reality? Some believers will even applaud such a lifestyle because it trends better than holy living.

This is exactly what Paul warns about.

✋🏾 Don’t surround yourself with believers who celebrate sin—they will infect your fire.

“Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

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📖 Your Personal Assignment Today:

1. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1–13 in your own Bible.

2. Highlight any word or verse that speaks to you directly.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in sexual purity.

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🙌 Weekly Challenge:

• Can you identify one person you can reach out to this week with the gospel?

• Can you consider joining an outreach team in your church to help win souls?

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🙏🏽 Closing Prayer:

Father, I thank You for Your Word that corrects, guides, and protects me. I repent of any form of sexual sin—whether in my thoughts, words, or actions. Purify my heart, renew my mind, and make my body a holy temple for Your Spirit. Give me the courage to flee from sin, to live in holiness, and to encourage others to do the same. Keep me from relationships and influences that draw me away from You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.