Sex is God’s idea.
His glorious design created us to be sexual beings with sexual desires. Yet this creative possibility in human beings is intensely challenged by the Adversary, who, in himself, is incapable of creating anything. To protect us from carnal perversions that lead to bondage, and to preserve us from that which is detrimental to His perfect will for our lives, our loving Father and Creator faithfully provides for us, in His Word, guidelines about every aspect of life.
First, God’s will for us is stated in Jeremiah 29:11: “My thoughts toward you…are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God wants our lives to be happy and fulfilled: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). In the Book of Joshua, we are instructed to live according to God’s Word, and as we do, “…for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success…”
While no restrictions are placed on sexual activity inside of holy matrimony (Hebrews 13:4), sex is to be seen as the ultimate temporal expression of Christ’s love for the Church (Ephesians 5:22-29). Sexual activity which is debasing or distasteful to either married partner mocks the moral law of God which commands us to “flee sexual immorality” and to “honor God with your body” as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). The Bible clearly teaches God’s objections to fornication* (illicit sexual intercourse).
The Apostle Paul considered his body to be a potential enemy whose appetites must be controlled (1 Corinthians 9:27). Ministering to the Thessalonians, Paul instructed them not to walk in lust like those who don’t know God, but to control their bodies in a way that is holy and honorable (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Romans 13:12-14). As our Creator, God knows what will bring us maximum fulfillment. Why does the Lord place so many restrictions on sex? Not because He wants us to enjoy less of life, but because He desires us to get the most out of it.
*See Romans 1:28; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 7:2; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3.
Copyright 2003, 2014 by Jack W. Hayford, Jack Hayford Ministries.
