Ephesians 5:3
“Among you, there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God’s holy people.”
Sexual immorality is the most mentioned sin in all of scripture, with the only close contender being idolatry.
~Now as a faith we have exhaustively explored the innumerable ways to engage sex the wrong way, or what we call "sexual immorality”. However, there is very little teaching on engaging sex the right way, what we could call "sexual morality". I think the reason for this is that as humans we tend to look for the lines in life, so we can get as close to sin as possible without breaking the rules. By doing this, however, we rob ourselves of the very best parts of Godliness. It's like the fence line of a garden; it's still in the garden, but it's the least attractive part. The same is true when it comes to following God's instructions, and on the matter of sex, many believers are living on the fence. You see sex is a deeply spiritual matter, it is the conduit by which new souls enter into the earth; that's why God is so fiercely protective of marriage. Marriage is the covenant construct where two people commit to a set of relational rules designed to create a safe place for a new life to be developed. As a culture, however, we've completely inverted the purpose of sex. We've made it about the pleasure of the individual, and anything that might in some way restrict, or prevent that pleasure, is seen as an affront to our freedom! In fact, we've elevated sexual freedom to such a point, that we are now fighting for the freedom to continue exterminating the very beings this act was meant to create! This is why Paul says there should not even be a mention of sexual immorality. Because the product of handling sex incorrectly is souls brought into the world without the covenant unit designed to protect and raise them. It's the spread of diseases that would otherwise be contained. It's people who are emotionally ruined by ripping their souls apart after becoming one with each other and separating. In the realm of consequences, sex is nuclear fission, holding in its hands the power of life if handled correctly, and utter destruction if handled casually. This single aspect of humanity is of such great consequence the only written rule about it is simply "don't commit adultery". And what is adultery? Any behavior that is sexually motivated with anyone (including yourself), or anything other than one person of the opposite sex, for the entirety of your life, or theirs. There is no further explanation because there are absolutely no exceptions to this rule; because the consequences are the very fabric of civilization. We don't need to elevate sex beyond its purpose, but we do need to respect its purpose and handle it with the care, discretion, and respect that the process for creating life deserves.
Todays Prayer
Father give us a Holy view of marriage and sexuality. Purify our souls that we would not treat casually the covenant of marriage, or the life-creating process it's meant to protect! Father, teach us to have a higher view! Instruct us in your ways oh Lord, and soften our hearts to see them as more than restrictive rules! Open our hearts to love righteousness more than pleasure; protect us oh Lord from the entanglements that entrap our souls! Most of all, help us to honor you with our bodies oh Lord, that we would in every way be purified as your holy people!