“You must not do as they do.” The people of God are to be different from others, and in no area will the difference be more conspicuous than in that of sexual morality. The perversions practised by pagans both yesterday and today are well described in the phrases, “these detestable things . . . the detestable customs” (Lev. 18:26,30). A characteristic of the godly is that they do not do these things. A negative approach, no doubt, but nevertheless exceedingly powerful.
It is noticeable that in both the Old and New Testaments standards of sexual morality are stated unequivocally and commands are precise and clear. “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) asks Joseph as he remonstrates with Potiphar’s wife; “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18) writes Paul to Christians in a city where indulgence was an accepted way of life and even central to the pagan worship.
“You must no do as they do” is a needed word in a day such as ours, when God’s standards are not only disregarded but declared to be non-existent and when his commands are considered irrelevant. It will be a pure people who will be salt and light in such a world.
“You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.”
Leviticus 18:3 NASB1995
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