For this is the desirous will of the God, your sanctification, to abstain from the fornication, to intuitively know, each one of you, to possess your own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of desire, just as also the Gentiles, the ones not intuitively knowing God—1 Thessalonians 4:3–5.
God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Uncleanness pertains to how we possess our bodies in sanctification—not by allowing them to be governed by the passions of strong desire, as those who are unsaved do.
For those who are not married, purity—especially in sexual matters—is an honorable thing, though the world may mock it. However, since you are now children of God, reject the ways of the nations and follow Him by learning how to possess your body in sanctification and honor. Young men, do not think this is the woman’s responsibility. Be a man—show respect for God and for your body, especially in matters of sexuality.
Since fornication is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19), we overcome it by applying the truth. The truth is the doctrine through which we have victory over the sin nature (John 8:32, 34). Know that you have died with Christ and have been raised to walk in newness of life; therefore, the sin nature has been rendered ineffective (Romans 6:4–6). Reckon this to be true of yourself (Romans 6:11). Yield your members as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13).
“Do not” does not work against the sin nature—it gives it strength (1 Corinthians 15:56). When we seek out and govern our lives by the desires given by the Holy Spirit—yielding our members to righteousness—His strong desire for doing good combats the lusts from the sin nature so that they do not come to fruition (Galatians 5:16). Therefore, our victory comes through the freedom we have in Christ, not through law.