God’s plan for sex

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.  – 1 Corinthians 7.1-5

Sex is one of those topics that we Christians don't talk about much. I think there is some wisdom in that. Too much talk about sex can easily turn sinful and salacious. It is easy go too far in our conversations.

But we also can't ignore it. It is real. It is part of life.

But, like everything else, he Bible deals with sex in a very practical way. In just a few words Paul addresses sex outside of marriage and inside marriage.

Outside of marriage is pretty simple. It is good for a man not to touch a woman. To put it briefly that means that the limit to physical contact before marriage is anything that will excite passions.

But, we all know, it is not that simple.

So God provided marriage. But even there the problem is not solved. We are still sexual beings. So God gives His plan for sex inside marriage.

Husbands and wives are called on to be there for each other. Sex is a normal, natural, and beautiful part of marriage. Husbands and wives are not to selfishly deprive each other. Of course neither should be selfish in their demands either. Notice the fact that this is not a one way street. Both husbands and wives need to understand that they have given themselves to each other and must be aware of each other’s needs and feelings.

God doesn’t deny sex. He created it. He has a plan for His children and if we would just listen His plan works pretty well.