The secular world pitches us this concept of both physical and mental health. They claim that healthy individuals engage in enjoyable activities and that participating in something negative will result in diminished health.
Take sex, for example.The Bible may teach abstinence, but the secular society preaches “self-awareness” and pleasure. Because sex is desirable to us by nature, it would make perfect sense that we must actively engage in intercourse. Everybody thinks sexual thoughts; we all crave it. We’re created for sex. Abstinence means denying ourselves something that we need to be healthful, happy individuals--right?
Um... No.
Satisfying a desire for unsubstantiated sex makes no more sense than satisfying a craving for a fat, juicy Big Mac ©. I may love to eat this genetically-altered, cholesterol-filled delicacy, but this action will ultimately result in physical harm. Therefore, I may choose not to eat Big Macs © anymore (See 2 Timothy 2:22.).
Does that mean I don’t believe in eating? No. I simply recognize what actions will increase my personal well-being, and I pursue those things. When something harmful appears, I reject it, despite its supposed beauty.
Sex is a wonderful gift from God--in correct boundaries. However, intercourse outside of marriage complicates an individual’s life in more ways than one. The physical bond between two individuals results in an emotional bond that is not easily broken. Rarely do people that are so open to intercourse remain with their first partner, causing issues down the road. On top of that, unwarranted sex results in STDs, unplanned pregnancies (and, unfortunately, abortions) and a life void of self-control.
Too often, people view Christians as vehemently opposed to sex of any kind. That’s biblically inaccurate. We can celebrate how God has created us, but we must grasp the consequences of abusing this gift. Only then can we live the healthy and wholesome life of walking out God’s will.
Wondering what the Bible says about abstinence? Here are some Scriptures that address the issue:
Ephesians 5:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Colossians 3:5, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 7:2
Take sex, for example.The Bible may teach abstinence, but the secular society preaches “self-awareness” and pleasure. Because sex is desirable to us by nature, it would make perfect sense that we must actively engage in intercourse. Everybody thinks sexual thoughts; we all crave it. We’re created for sex. Abstinence means denying ourselves something that we need to be healthful, happy individuals--right?
Um... No.
Satisfying a desire for unsubstantiated sex makes no more sense than satisfying a craving for a fat, juicy Big Mac ©. I may love to eat this genetically-altered, cholesterol-filled delicacy, but this action will ultimately result in physical harm. Therefore, I may choose not to eat Big Macs © anymore (See 2 Timothy 2:22.).
Does that mean I don’t believe in eating? No. I simply recognize what actions will increase my personal well-being, and I pursue those things. When something harmful appears, I reject it, despite its supposed beauty.
Sex is a wonderful gift from God--in correct boundaries. However, intercourse outside of marriage complicates an individual’s life in more ways than one. The physical bond between two individuals results in an emotional bond that is not easily broken. Rarely do people that are so open to intercourse remain with their first partner, causing issues down the road. On top of that, unwarranted sex results in STDs, unplanned pregnancies (and, unfortunately, abortions) and a life void of self-control.
Too often, people view Christians as vehemently opposed to sex of any kind. That’s biblically inaccurate. We can celebrate how God has created us, but we must grasp the consequences of abusing this gift. Only then can we live the healthy and wholesome life of walking out God’s will.
Wondering what the Bible says about abstinence? Here are some Scriptures that address the issue:
Ephesians 5:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Colossians 3:5, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 7:2
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