Four times this phrase is used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 6. The Corinthians were becoming spiritually blind to the follies that they had slipped back into. It happened then and it happens today. It appears to be worse among those who proclaim that once you are saved you are always saved, regardless of the nature of your future sins; that attitude is specifically condemned in Hebrews 10:26-31.

Now it is true that God is merciful and forgiving but it is folly to think he turns a ‘blind eye’ to sins. How could a righteous God overlook the serious specific moral failures that were happening in Corinth?

We read, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived” (verse 9). Take care not to deceive yourselves. While we acknowledge the justice of His condemnation of “the sexually immoral … adulterers … (and those) who practice homosexuality” we must not overlook that He also says “the thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (verses 9,10).

Paul then says, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (verse 11).

Sexual misbehaviour is a special target of his concern and he makes the point, “The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (verse 13). This takes us back to chapter 3, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (verse 16).

Returning to chapter 6, we note verse 15, “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then make them members of a prostitute? Never!” In verse 18 we read “Flee from sexual immorality” – don’t just avoid it.

Finally, and most significant of all look at the last two verses; “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body”. Do you not KNOW? It is not head knowledge is it! It is heart knowledge! Do you possess it?