Deeper Reflection
SEXUAL IMMORALITY WAS A MAJOR SIN PROBLEM IN BOTH the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira due to false teaching and alluring seductions (vv.14, 20). Likewise in the Singapore society and Church. Although Singapore is still a relatively conservative society, the trend over the past two decades is towards being more liberal, according to the Institute of Policy Studies survey findings released in February 2021.³⁶ From interviews with over 2,000 adult Singapore citizens and permanent residents, 32.7% said that having casual sex was sometimes, mostly or always justifiable, and 54.1% said the same regarding sex before marriage.³⁷Research has shown that the vast majority of Christians in Singapore consider pornography and premarital sex as going against biblical teaching and unacceptable. However, many Christians do struggle on a practical level to pursue a life of holiness. 7,209 Christians across 10 churches took the Whole Life Inventory³⁸ in 2016. Key findings include:³⁹

• 42% viewed pornography at least once in the past 12 months. Higher prevalence among men (68%) than women (24%). Frequency: 17% viewed pornography at least once a month.
• 9% had at least one sexual encounter outside of marriage in the past 12 months. Young adults who were dating or engaged (33%) were disproportionately more likely to engage in premarital sex.

Christ’s disciples must do battle with strong internal desires for self-gratification and external pressures to conform to the world’s patterns, and resist the devil’s temptations towards sexual sins. Singapore church leaders and communities must offer practical assistance and provide better support to members who are struggling, so that they feel safe to seek and receive help.

---

³⁶ https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/singapore-still-conservative-on-moral-sexuality-issues-but-moreliberal- since ³⁷ https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/docs/default-source/ips/ips-exchange-series-16.pdf ³⁸ A multi-dimensional instrument designed for churches to assess and understand the health of their congregation. ³⁹ Whole Life Research Brief 2016: Essential Findings on the State of Family in Singapore Churches, pp.7-8. https://www.wholelife.sg/wholelife/downloads/wl_research_brief/Whole_Life_Research_Brief_2016.pdf