There’s no question that, as a society, we are becoming increasingly desensitized to all things sex. There are studies that suggest only 3% of people wait until marriage to have sex. Others have suggested that only 20 percent of Christians wait until marriage to have sex. This study suggests that 61% of Christians say they would have sex before marriage.
This is probably not new information for many of us. Though we may have not been aware of the statistics, we aren’t tuned out enough to know that the problems of the secular world are the same problems affecting those who love and follow Jesus.
But one thing seems to be clear. The old “Don’t have sex before marriage because I say so,” or “Because God’s says so,” isn’t working. The world seems to have become increasingly curious and we want real reasons why we shouldn’t do what we want.
“Why do you say so?” or “Why does God say so?” These are questions my generation and especially the generations after mine are asking and they need answers. Short of reasonable answers most are going to do what they want.
That’s why I think it’s so valuable when we get a glimpse into some reasons why we shouldn’t participate in sexual immorality that go beyond, Because you’ll burn in hell forever!
Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[a]to save, sanctify, and raise it again]. –1 Corinthians 6:13
So, a flippant attitude towards sex doesn’t seem to be a new problem. It seems that Paul is addressing this very thing with the Corinthians. From the context of chapter 6 (in addition throughout the book Paul addresses questions and concern they have and cultural issues they dealt with) sexual immorality is a problem within the church. It’s just a chapter earlier that Paul calls them out on their attitude towards the man who had his father’s wife. So there certainly seems to be a fair amount of cultural acceptance of things in the church that shouldn’t be.
I wrestled with the above passage for some time. I didn’t really understand it. Finally I had the idea that I should ask God to tell me what it means. Sometimes I shy away from those types of requests because with pre-existing filters and lenses it can be very difficult to hear untainted words from God on these kinds of things.
But the Lord began to speak to me about natural processes and spiritual processes. He began to show me that Paul is saying that natural processes will one day become obsolete. He points out how eating is a natural process. Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food. But then he says that God will end the functions of both.
Now I don’t think it’s necessary to take this to mean that some day we won’t eat food at all. I think Paul is expressing a larger principal. One day the world is going to change. What’s considered natural now will not be. Some things that are considered natural now will be exposed for the evil they are.
He exposes one of those evils in the same passage. The body is not intended for sexual immorality it’s intended for the Lord. It’s not intended for the body it’s intended for His kingdom and all the blessings, love, and glory that comes with it. He proclaims that sexual immorality is unnatural in a culture that has accepted it as natural.
Things that are not natural are spiritual. Natural processes affect our natural bodies. Spiritual processes affect our spirits. I think sex is more spiritual than natural and when we participate in sexual immorality we damage our spirits. Sexual immorality can cause physical consequences but the emotional damage is far greater. The spiritual damage greatly outweighs any physical affects and has the potential to last so much longer.
When I was finished writing what I sensed the Lord speaking I looked up how the bible scholars interpret the passage. I was pleased to find they came to the conclusion I’d heard from God. That was fun!
Anyway, we seem to be so uneducated when it comes to the implications of sin. “God said don’t do it.” Okay well like I said, when push comes to shove that’s not enough. A person who does not understand is easy prey for our adversary. The question that needs to be answered is, Why? Why? Why? Why? What does it do to intimacy with God? What does it do to our hearts? How does it damage our souls? And so on. Truth is ammunition.
The answers are there. They aren’t always traditional answers but they are answers nonetheless. I encourage you to seek them out so we can prepare our kids, and ourselves, for the roaring lion seeking to destroy us.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
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Jesse and Kara Birkey are committed lovers of Jesus who seek to show others the extraordinary life of Jesus is available for everyone. They have authored two books, been featured in films and seek to serve the Lord in whatever ways they can. Follow their blog here.
Bring Jesse and Kara to your venue. Find more information here.
Life Resurrected, Extraordinary Miracles through Ordinary People has been endorsed by Sid Roth and Mark Virkler and is a collection of inspiring stories making it clear that the extraordinary life of Jesus is available to all who love Him. It’s also the testimony of Jesse’s life, the road he travelled bringing him into the arms of Jesus. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here. View the trailer here.
Marriage What’s the Point? One couple finds meaning in a crazy mess is the story of their marriage—The tragedy and the restoration. They bear their hearts in an attempt to get others to bear theirs and finally receive the freedom they’ve longed for. Get the paperback here. Get the Kindle Version Here.
Jesse is also featured in the film DeadRaiser, a movie shining the spotlight on resurrection testimonies across the nation. Find more information here.
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