Title

The Spirit of Harlotry

Scripture
They do not direct their deeds toward turning to their God, for the spirit of harlotry is in their midst, and they do not know the Lord.
(Hosea 5:4)
Devotional
Harlotry is simply practiced unfaithfulness. It is taking that which belongs to one and giving it to another. It is the vilest of sins. It is at least three-fold in its effect: It is a sin against self, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”(1) It is a sin against the one lured, “With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him.”(2) It is a sin against God, “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”(3) We have been redeemed, bought with a price, we are not our own. We have been betrothed to Christ; we are His bride. If we give greater affection to anything else more than to Him, we may be touching on the spirit of harlotry. Therefore, let us flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, peace and love. (4)

(1) 1 Corinthians 6:18, (2) Proverbs 7:19, (3) 1 Corinthians 6:19, (4) 2 Timothy 2:22