The prevalence of sexual sin in the world is not a recent development. In Genesis 4, only a few generations from Adam, Lamech perverted God’s standard by taking two wives. After the flood, Ham responded sinfully to his father’s drunken indiscretion and brought a curse upon himself and his descendants (Genesis 9). Sarah (Genesis 16), Rachel (Genesis 30), and Leah (Genesis 30) all gave their maids to their husbands. God destroyed Sodom because of the people’s homosexuality (Genesis 19). Lot’s two daughters weakened him with wine and committed incest with him (Genesis 19). Shechem forcibly violated Dinah (Genesis 34). Judah hired his daughter-in-law, Tamar, as a prostitute (Genesis 38). Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39).

The first book of the Bible makes clear that this particular area of sin has always been widespread and dominant. But as men and women have increasingly suppressed the truth they invariably know (Romans 1:18–21) and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25), God has increasingly judged them by giving them over (Romans 1:24, 26, 28) to all kinds of dishonorable, degrading, and destructive behaviors. This is not new, but without a doubt, in 2026, we do live in a sexually perverse world where people have “given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness” (Ephesians 4:19¹).

This is the world into which Jesus has sent us to make disciples. If we are to follow Christ faithfully, we must learn to share the Gospel appropriately with people whose lives are marked and marred by sexual sin. How does God prepare us to minister in a sexually perverse world? Consider and apply six big-picture, bedrock theological realities.

1. The Bible is God’s inerrant and authoritative revelation (2 Timothy 3:16–17, 2 Peter 1:20–21).

The Spirit of God moved upon the human authors to give us His words without error. The 66 books of the Bible are absolute truth and authoritative in every way.

Application

Teach, preach, and insist on all that the Bible says. God made humans in His image, male and female. He weaves every individual together in his mother’s womb, just as He desires, with no confusion of gender. God has revealed His truth regarding the equality of men and women in value and spiritual capacity, the permanence of marriage, the necessity for sexual purity, the distinct roles of the husband and wife in marriage, and many other areas. There are cultural, political, and even legal pressures on all these points in different societies around the world. But God’s words are true and authoritative everywhere. His words, applied by His Spirit, accomplish His purposes.

2.  God made human beings in His image (Genesis 1:26–28).

God gave to all men and women the honor of bearing His own image.

Application

All people are worthy of respect and kindness. Even the most sexually perverse person in this world possesses the dignity of the image of God and should be treated accordingly. We must insist on God’s truth and speak His words about sin carefully and faithfully, AND we must do so in a way that is kind, humble, and respectful toward people made in God’s image. When we speak to people ensnared in these sins and when we speak about people ensnared in these sins, we must do so with a broken heart and the love and compassion of Christ.

3.  Sin has distorted the image of God in man and has corrupted every component of man’s being (Ephesians 4:17–19).

We don’t work the way we’re supposed to work. The corruption of sin touches every aspect of our beings: bodies, emotions, desires, and minds.

Application

Pray and don’t despair. In ministering to people who are given to sexual sin, we tend to get frustrated, because they so often seem to ignore or reject the most obvious realities. We must remember that their minds and desires are damaged by sin. Only God can give new life. Pray!

4.  God knows best how His creation works (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 100:3).

We must accept the fact that we have no right to self-determination or self-definition. We are dependent creatures, and our identity is determined by the Creator. He is the Potter. We are the clay. Anything other than submission to His design can end only in frustration and eventually eternal judgment. He knows best how His creation works. It is vain, foolish, and eternally dangerous to fight against His design.

Application

• Believe and teach that God is very interested in the true happiness of His creatures. Share with people how many times the word blessed is used in both Old and New Testaments. As we give the Gospel to people and try to disciple them toward Christlikeness, let’s press this point. So many think their happiness is tied to their professed sexual identity and in having everyone else affirm it. But God knows the path to true fulfillment, eternal joy, and real, lasting, deep satisfaction, and He provides it for those who are willing to submit to His way: repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to His Word. “Blessedness” is for those whose transgression is forgiven (Psalm 32:1) and who take refuge in Christ (Psalm 2:12).
• Display this true blessedness and joy. We are proclaiming to people that God knows how life works and that true, lasting joy is found only in Christ. We need to display that joy! There are millions of departures from God’s path. There are countless ways to pervert or twist God’s design, but there is only one way to the greatest joy. Our distinctiveness in this world includes our own joy in Christ as we submit to His lordship. We personally reject impure thoughts and pornography and every kind of lust as perversity and as detrimental to true joy in Christ. We personally pursue absolute purity in this area in singleness and in marriage. This gives us the opportunity to display the goodness of God. It is our opportunity to outrejoice the world and display that what God has designed is much better and more fulfilling than anything mankind can come up with. Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

5. WE are always at spiritual risk (1 Corinthians 10:12).

It is perilous to think that we stand (1 Corinthians 10:12). As we snatch people from the fire, we are to hate even the garment polluted by the flesh (Jude 23). It is imperative to be on guard and to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, because no one is immune to a spiritual fall in this area.

Application

• Be humble. We continue to need God’s grace to protect and keep us. We must never look down condescendingly on anyone.
• Be accountable. We must make sure we are accountable to others who can watch for us, especially when we are ministering to someone involved in sexual sin,
• Be vigilant for others under your care. Consider how others (especially children) might be affected.

6.  Jesus saves (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)!

“Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” The power of Jesus Christ is greater than the power of any sin and of all sins put together. He still breaks the chains of sin. He still washes away the darkest stains. He still gives life to dead sinners. He still gives sight to the spiritually blind and heals damaged minds. He also transforms those whom He saves. The Christian, even one whose life has been marred by sexual sin, can grow in Christ and experience victory.

Application

Proclaim our loving and compassionate Savior! We do have the truth that sets people free, and we offer them joy that they cannot imagine. Call on people to repent and trust in Jesus, and offer them the inexhaustible riches of Christ.