The Sins of Premarital and Extramarital Sex
According to Scripture, sex is to be reserved for marriage. Sex was created by God as a vital aspect of the marriage relationship. The first command that God gave to Adam and Eve was to have sexual relations (Gen 1:28). Essentially, he repeated the command in Gen 2:24-25. The command of Exod 20:14 is “‘You shall not commit adultery.” The command against extramarital sex is repeated in Deut 5:18 because God does not want His people to misunderstand the importance of the command. Adultery is the sin of sexual indulgence with someone other than one’s own husband or wife. There is never a circumstance when extramarital sex is acceptable. God commanded His people not to “covet your neighbor’s wife” (Exod 20:17). Coveting a person that is not one’s spouse is often the result of looking, longing, and lusting. Therefore, God told His people, “Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you” (Prov 4:25). Looking often leads to longing, and the longing often leads to lusting. For this reason, Jesus said, “everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt 5:28).
On the part of single people, sexual immorality is called fornication. Often fornication begins with a look or a touch; caressing, fondling, or petting typically leads an unmarried couple into fornication as it follows the look or touch. Fornication and adultery are among the sins that Jesus said come from the heart (15:19). The acts are evil and “defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23). Jesus did forgive the “woman caught in adultery,” as He will forgive those who repent of this sin, but His counsel is to practice this sin “no more” (John 8:4, 11). The biblical view of sex can be best seen in 1 Thess 4:3-8. This passage of Scripture stresses that anyone who has engaged in sexual immorality will suffer consequences. It is prudent and wise not to suffer the consequences of sin, which is why God warns against sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:13, 18-20).
Premarital and extramarital sex is a sin that affects the most important sexual organ that God has given. God desires His people to enjoy sex only in the bonds of marriage to protect the mind. Those who do not engage in premarital or extramarital sex usually have healthier marriage relationships because there is a mutual trust that has been established from the beginning of the relationship and that provides a strong foundation for a healthy marriage. Indeed, sex is a gift from God; for this reason, it is subject to God’s loving commands for its enjoyment. It is because God created sex that when a husband and wife experience it in accordance with God’s design, it is not only the best sexual experience, but also contributes to the best sexual development. Waiting to have sex until marriage and within the bonds of marriage also protects man and woman from fear. There is a peace of mind when one knows that the threat of sexually transmitted diseases is not possible because of sexual fidelity. Only those who have avoided premarital and extramarital sex can have this peace. God desires to protect man and woman from lacking the ability to discern the difference between love and sex. Although the world confuses love and sex, the Bible instructs, “‘You shall not follow the masses in doing evil” (Exod 23:2).
Certainly, a husband and wife in love do enjoy a sexual relationship that is unknown to most young people. Jacob, for example, labored fourteen years for his wife, Rachel, who he loved greatly (Gen 24:58; 29:20). Ruth was in love with Boaz, and he likewise loved her. The romance was clearly true love (Ruth 2). Premarital and extramarital sex distorts the ability to discern whether genuine love or whether emotions or hormones our directing one’s actions. God created sex and designed it to be enjoyed solely in the bonds of marriage for which it is intended. Anything that has a legitimate function and is abused, such as sex outside of marriage, will not function as the Creator intended or will lead to additional consequences. God’s desire is to protect His creation from the sin of sex outside of marriage, and the problems that such actions create. God’s best is to provide a member of the opposite sex within the marriage relationship because of His love for His creation. God gives His commands to obey for the benefit of humanity. Rejection of God’s design for sex is ultimately self-destructive. The biblical view of sex may not be popular in culture, but it is what is best for culture, families, and the nation.
On the part of single people, sexual immorality is called fornication. Often fornication begins with a look or a touch; caressing, fondling, or petting typically leads an unmarried couple into fornication as it follows the look or touch. Fornication and adultery are among the sins that Jesus said come from the heart (15:19). The acts are evil and “defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23). Jesus did forgive the “woman caught in adultery,” as He will forgive those who repent of this sin, but His counsel is to practice this sin “no more” (John 8:4, 11). The biblical view of sex can be best seen in 1 Thess 4:3-8. This passage of Scripture stresses that anyone who has engaged in sexual immorality will suffer consequences. It is prudent and wise not to suffer the consequences of sin, which is why God warns against sexual immorality (1 Cor 6:13, 18-20).
Premarital and extramarital sex is a sin that affects the most important sexual organ that God has given. God desires His people to enjoy sex only in the bonds of marriage to protect the mind. Those who do not engage in premarital or extramarital sex usually have healthier marriage relationships because there is a mutual trust that has been established from the beginning of the relationship and that provides a strong foundation for a healthy marriage. Indeed, sex is a gift from God; for this reason, it is subject to God’s loving commands for its enjoyment. It is because God created sex that when a husband and wife experience it in accordance with God’s design, it is not only the best sexual experience, but also contributes to the best sexual development. Waiting to have sex until marriage and within the bonds of marriage also protects man and woman from fear. There is a peace of mind when one knows that the threat of sexually transmitted diseases is not possible because of sexual fidelity. Only those who have avoided premarital and extramarital sex can have this peace. God desires to protect man and woman from lacking the ability to discern the difference between love and sex. Although the world confuses love and sex, the Bible instructs, “‘You shall not follow the masses in doing evil” (Exod 23:2).
Certainly, a husband and wife in love do enjoy a sexual relationship that is unknown to most young people. Jacob, for example, labored fourteen years for his wife, Rachel, who he loved greatly (Gen 24:58; 29:20). Ruth was in love with Boaz, and he likewise loved her. The romance was clearly true love (Ruth 2). Premarital and extramarital sex distorts the ability to discern whether genuine love or whether emotions or hormones our directing one’s actions. God created sex and designed it to be enjoyed solely in the bonds of marriage for which it is intended. Anything that has a legitimate function and is abused, such as sex outside of marriage, will not function as the Creator intended or will lead to additional consequences. God’s desire is to protect His creation from the sin of sex outside of marriage, and the problems that such actions create. God’s best is to provide a member of the opposite sex within the marriage relationship because of His love for His creation. God gives His commands to obey for the benefit of humanity. Rejection of God’s design for sex is ultimately self-destructive. The biblical view of sex may not be popular in culture, but it is what is best for culture, families, and the nation.
posted by orthopodeo | 10:27 PM
1 Comments:
Well written article.
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