That Three-Letter Word ~ SEX

Sexual intimacy is a subject many Christians have difficulty discussing, but it’s a topic that needs to be examined particularly in our sex-saturated culture. While the world promotes a cheap and perverted imitation, Our Creator designed sexual intimacy to be a sacred act. Biblical sexuality is pure and holy while the world’s version is corrupt and defiled. First, we’ll start with the basics . . .

Sex & the Marriage Covenant

A covenant is an eternal, unbreakable promise or agreement made between two parties in the presence of witnesses. When a covenant was established in ancient times, it was typically verified or “sealed” in the presence of said witnesses by certain protocol. One such act of protocol was a simple kiss, hence the term “sealed with a kiss”. The kiss served as an outward demonstration of the commitment of those establishing the covenant for the benefit of those witnessing the event. This is why even today a couple shares a kiss to seal the marriage covenant at the wedding ceremony.

Another act often utilized to certify a covenant in ancient times was the shedding of innocent blood. This was often accomplished by sacrificing a young animal such as a lamb or goat, a frequent practice in Jewish temples at that time in history. A young virgin bride shed blood on her wedding night when she and her new husband consummated the marriage. {Caution: Graphic description here. Before the days of girls participating in sports, the use of tampons, and sex outside of marriage, the hymen ~ a thin layer of flesh protecting the vaginal opening ~ would remain intact. During the first experience with sexual intercourse the hymen would be torn, thus resulting in a small amount of blood being shed. This symbolized the sealing of the marriage covenant.}

Now, let’s take a look at the basic inconsistencies between what the world says about sex and what God says . . .

Serving God vs. Serving Self

God is very clear in His Word that sex is a sacred act to be reserved for marriage between one man and one woman for a lifetime. His Word calls all forms of sexual sin an abomination. Scripture tells us that God created sexual intimacy for Divine purpose.

First and foremost, it is designed to unite a husband and wife in a distinct and exclusive

way. Sexual intimacy serves to bring a couple together in such definitive unity that it separates their marital relationship from all others. Sexual intimacy establishes and strengthens the bond between husband and wife physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Such intimacy requires each to be absolutely vulnerable to the other and requires complete trust. God’s version of sex is self-less and seeks to serve one’s spouse rather than oneself. The strengthened marital bond brought about by godly sexual intimacy brings harmony to the relationship and equips a couple to serve God together more fully.

The world presents sex as a physical “need” and a natural, primal, involuntary desire that should be fulfilled at will. Our culture champions all varieties of perverted, permissive sex ~ premarital sex, extra-marital sex, homosexuality, multiple partners, wife-swapping, prostitution, etc. Pornography is evident in nearly every aspect of our daily lives. We hear lewd language and see barely-clothed individuals in suggestive poses on billboards, printed publications, television shows, movies, music videos, YouTube, Facebook ~ you name it. Gratuitous sex is the casual subject matter of sitcoms and has become so normalized that it seldom causes anyone to blush. Sex, as the world sells it, is self-centered, self-absorbed, and self-serving.

Health vs. Disease

If God’s plan for sexual intimacy is followed, the likelihood of acquiring a Sexually Transmitted Disease {STD} is nil. Scientifically and medically speaking, sexual intimacy between a husband and wife is even beneficial for overall health and well-being ~ physical, emotional, and mental. Sex within the sacred, lifelong covenant of marriage is pure and guilt-free. There is no threat whatsoever of an STD of any kind {with the exception of acquiring a disease through contaminated blood, for example}. There is no emotional baggage from previous relationships when sex is saved for marriage. The act of sexual intercourse strengthens the body’s muscles, and the brain chemicals released during this intimate time are beneficial as well.

The world encourages recreational sexual intimacy with the absence of personal responsibility by promoting the practice of “safe” sex. Contraception is provided to anyone with few restrictions {PlannedParenthood.com} and free STD {Sexually Transmitted Disease} and HIV/AIDS {Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome} testing is also available. Because so many have embraced the sex-deception, we are dying from diseases that are 100% preventable and our jails and neighborhoods are filled with sex-offenders who continually feed their lust on pornography.

The barbaric practice of abortion is available in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. Little is said about the devastating effects abortion has on a woman’s body, both short- and long-term. No one wants to talk about the medical evidence that reveals up to a 90% increase in the risk for breast cancer as the result of induced abortion {rlt.org}.

If everyone lived in obedience to God concerning sexuality, the positive effects on physical, emotional, and mental health would be stunning. Imagine for a moment the earthly plagues that would cease to exist:

~ STD’s

~ HIV/AIDS

~ Rape

~ Incest

~ Child Molestation

~ Pornography

~ Prostitution

Procreation vs. Recreation

The Song of Solomon speaks vividly of the intimate relationship between husband and wife. The descriptive passages clearly illustrate the pleasure of sexual intimacy. One of the purposes for this aspect of the marriage relationship is, obviously, procreation. God encourages us to ‘be fruitful and multiply’. Raising godly children ensures the perpetuation of God’s people on the earth.

Conversely, the world often declares children as undesirable for any number of reasons. Our modern culture cheers the sexually promiscuous and applauds lust and sexual indulgence. In the event of a spontaneous sexual encounter, it is relatively easy to obtain a dose of Plan B, the “morning-after pill” abortion drug {PlannedParenthood.com} to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. If it’s too late for Plan B, Planned Parenthood and other organizations and clinics offer abortion services. Often times, abortions are paid for by government programs like Medicaid. Our culture encourages indulgent sexual behavior with the absence of responsibility and accountability for one’s actions.

As followers of Christ, we need to have a clear understanding of sexual intimacy from God’s point of view. Understanding the beauty of a sacred act rather than being deceived by a counterfeit will protect you from physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual harm, and will intensify your marriage and your relationship with God.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” ~ Genesis 2:25

#SexualIntimacy #Purity #Health #Children #Pornography #Homosexuality #Unity #Romance #Submission #Courtship