Sex

Introduction

Sex is a beautiful, natural God given activity but should ideally be confined to the loving stable relationship of marriage.

Sex outside marriage

Sex outside marriage was not as common in the past because of three fears:

  1. Detection - getting caught
  2. Infection - getting ill
  3. Conception - getting pregnant.

Sex outside marriage is now more common because:

However, the results have been very serious:

Christian views on sex

  1. Jesus and the Bible teach that marriage is the only appropriate place for sex.
  2. Most Christians agree that sex should be monogamous, one partner for life, in marriage.
  3. The Christian ideal is that a person should be a virgin until they marry.
  4. Other Christians say that sex in a stable, committed and loving relationship is acceptable.

Christians are concerned that relationships today are based on sex, not love. They are also worried about the problems casual sex causes for individuals, children and society. Roman Catholics believe the purpose of sex is to join a married couple together and complete their relationship, with the possibility of the birth of children always being present. Sex outside marriage, e.g. living together, is considered by many Christians to be wrong because it interferes with the real purpose of sex as an expression of married love.

The Bible and Sex


The Bible has a positive and negative view of sex. It is a God-given gift, to be enjoyed and celebrated, but it needs to be controlled.

POSITIVE VIEW

“ So God created man in his own image; male and female he created them. And God blessed them, and God said to them, “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth…..”

Genesis 1:27-28

Sex is God’s gift to humans at Creation, and a part of his plan for humans. The first command to humans was to have sex! It is a part of our God-given human nature, to be celebrated and enjoyed. It expresses love and keeps relationships alive. Sex is for companionship, children and pleasure. It is creative – humans can take part in God’s creative work by having children. Sex helps to cement relationships – husbands and wives are encouraged to meet the sexual needs of their partners.

NEGATIVE VIEW

“ You shall not commit adultery.”

Exodus 20:14 - the 4th Commandment

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

1 Corinthians 6:18-19

Sex outside marriage, adultery and lust are wrong. They are condemned over 30 times in the New Testament. When sex is misused, it causes harm and ruins lives (1 Tim 6:9-10). The human body is a Temple of God and should be treated with respect because God lives in each person.

Temptation to sexual sin is common, but should be resisted and controlled. Having a sexual nature does not mean having to be driven by this nature. Christians agree that sex is wrong when it is selfish or hurts others. Sex without commitment can damage people.

However, Christians do not have the right to judge others. They should set an example, encourage others and forgive. They believe that anyone who confesses sexual sin will be forgiven. A fresh start is always possible with God, no matter what someone has done.

“ But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purified as from all our wrongdoing.”

1 John 1:9

Church teaching on sex

Methodist church: “Sexuality is a gift of God to us, which is to be received with joy. It is central to the renewal, deepening and enjoyment of the marriage relationship.”

Salvation Army: “Living together……falls short of God’s ideal will……..is not in the best interests of society or individual partners / offspring……. [Christians should] readily assist people who adopt this life-style, but without condoning it.”

Roman Catholic Church: “Sexual intercourse not only gives pleasure. It also has a powerful personal dimension in which the couple enrich one another’s lives. Marriage provides a continuous, reliable and predictable relationship within which the rich potential of sex can thrive. In this sense, sex actually requires marriage for the realisation of its potential.”