THE PREVAILING MODERN ATTITUDE ABOUT SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE SEEMS TO BE THAT AS LONG AS WE BOTH WANT TO DO IT, IT’S OK. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT PREMARITAL SEX?

1 Corinthians 7:1-9 . . . Because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband.

As Paul describes the role of sexuality in marriage, it is clear that the full expression of our physical desires, sexual intercourse, is to be reserved for the commitment of marriage. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7 . . . God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. Then each of you will control your body and live in holiness and honour.

In contradiction to the world’s attitude that says, “If it feels good, do it,” Paul teaches that God calls us to exercise control over our passions and our bodies in the area of premarital sexuality.

IS IT SO BAD IF I JUST THINK ABOUT SEX WITH SOMEONE OTHER THAN MY SPOUSE? I DIDN’T REALLY DO IT. Exodus 20:17 . . . Do not covet your neighbour’s house. Do not covet your neighbour’s wife.

Matthew 5:27-28 . . . The law of Moses says, “Do not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Lust is adultery in the heart. It is true that when you imagine having sex with someone you have not consummated it with that person physically. But in your heart, you have.

WILL GOD FORGIVE MY PAST SEXUAL SINS? CAN I TRULY START OVER?

Acts 13:38-39 . . . In . . . Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God. God will forgive any sexual sin if there is true repentance, turning away from that sin and seeking forgiveness.

Romans 1:24 . . . God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. God will not forgive sin when a person persists in that sin. Engaging in persistent, wilful sin separates us from God, the only one who can forgive sin.

BUT ISN’T MY BODY MY OWN, TO DO WITH AS I CHOOSE?

1 Corinthians 6:13 . . . Our bodies were not made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 . . . Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body.

When we become Christians, we dedicate ourselves to the Lord, and that includes our bodies. They are no longer truly ours, but his temple. In marriage, our bodies belong not to ourselves only, but to our mates.

HOW CAN I FIGHT SEXUAL TEMPTATION? IT IS SO POWERFUL IN TODAY’S WORLD.

1 Corinthians 10:13 . . . Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. We can’t fight sexual temptations by ourselves. They are too powerful. Cry out to God to help you. He can and he will.