Helping People Through Sexual Immorality
Today’s culture relentlessly promotes new sexual standards that conflict with God’s Word. Through television, social media, and modern cultural practice, sexual immorality has been glorified, romanticized, and normalized. The dominant cultural messages—“If it feels right, do it” or “You were made with those desires”—encourage self-gratification over obedience to God.
Despite attempts to legitimize behaviors such as adultery, fornication, masturbation, same-sex relationships, and pornography, both Scripture and research confirm that God's design for sex is not only holy but also the most life-giving. Sexual intimacy within the covenant of biblical marriage provides the greatest emotional, relational, and even physical satisfaction.
God warns against sexual behavior outside His design—not to withhold pleasure but to protect us from harm. As Paul writes:
“The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord... Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
—1 Corinthians 6:13, 18 (NIV)
Though God condemns sexual sin, He also extends grace and healing to the sinner. The good news is that, in Christ, there is hope:

“That is what some of you were. 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.”
—1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV)

As with any sin, sexual immorality is ultimately dealt with through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Those who trust Him can be fully cleansed and restored.
Practical Ministry

When counseling someone struggling with sexual sin:
  • Affirm their courage in speaking up:
    “I’m really glad you’re sharing this—it takes a lot of strength to be honest.”
  • Normalize the struggle:
    Remind them that temptation is common to all people (1 Corinthians 10:13).
  • Share humbly from your own experience (where appropriate), demonstrating that you are a fellow struggler—not a judge.
  • Listen without judgment and resist the urge to immediately fix or correct.
  • Check your own heart. If you have unresolved trauma or strong bias in this area (e.g., past betrayal or abuse), proceed with care or refer them to another trusted counselor.
Guiding Questions and Conversations
  • What are their beliefs about their sexual behavior?
  • How have they rationalized or justified their actions in the past?
  • What led them down this path—pornography? Inappropriate relationships? Unaddressed emotional needs?
  • Do they feel any conviction or guilt? Do they want to change but feel stuck?
Help them see the wisdom of God’s Word as protection, not restriction. Ask if they can acknowledge that their behavior has strayed from God's design and if they are willing to confess this as sin.
Emphasize God's love: He hates sin because it hurts us, but He loves the sinner and freely forgives those who confess and trust in Christ. Share the Gospel clearly.
Encouraging Community and Repentance
  • Encourage connection. Ask: “Are you in community with other believers who know your struggle and support your desire to follow Christ?”
    • Isolation keeps people stuck. Help them see the need for trusted Christian community for support and accountability.
  • Talk about shame. Many carry guilt, not only from their actions but also from the pain they’ve caused others. Create space for them to name that shame and invite God's healing.
  • Challenge them lovingly:
    Ask, “What are you willing to do to change?”
    And, “What are you currently unwilling to do?”
    This helps clarify next steps and surface resistance.
  • Pray with them. Invite the Holy Spirit to begin the work of healing and transformation.
  • Offer ongoing support. Let them know you’re available to walk with them through the process and follow up.
  • Remind them of God’s plan for restoration:   
    • “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently...”
      —Galatians 6:1
Scripture for Encouragement and Truth
Restoration and Forgiveness:

“Brothers and sisters, even if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
—Galatians 6:1

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil... Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow…”
—Isaiah 1:16, 18
God’s Design for Our Bodies:

“But sexual sin is never right: our bodies were not made for that, but for the Lord, and the Lord wants to fill our bodies with himself.”
—1 Corinthians 6:13 (TLB)

Confession and Grace:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness… And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
—1 John 1:9; 2:1
Final Encouragement
Sexual sin is not the end of someone’s story. In Christ, there is full restoration, deep healing, and true freedom. The church must offer both truth and grace, helping people move from guilt and secrecy to healing and transformation.
God’s design for sexuality is good. His grace is sufficient. And His church is a place of redemptive hope for every struggler.