God’s view of homosexuality is seen by His treatment of Sodom (Gen. 19:24-25).- God’s view of homosexuality is seen by His treatment of Sodom (Gen. 19:24-25).
- Homosexuality may be encouraged by domineering mothers and weak fathers, but Scripture calls it impurity and degradation (Romans 1:24).
- Those openly flaunting their sin are believing a lie (Romans 1:25).
- Christians are to treat them with no less Christian charity than other pagans.
The marriage bed is “pure” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV).- The marriage bed is “pure” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV).
- “Shacking up” or co-habiting is impure.
- Wife-swapping is impure, as is practiced at German “swinger clubs.” This has official government sanction—so what is legal is not always pure.
- “One night stands” are impure.
- What is acceptable by both in bed is pure.
The root word is “pornea” in Greek, from which we have “pornography.” - The root word is “pornea” in Greek, from which we have “pornography.”
- As with adultery, those practicing it will not inherit God’s Kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:5-7; Heb. 13:4).
- Since a Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, fornication is sin against our body (1 Cor. 6:18-20).
A true Christian may only marry a true Christian (2 Cor. 6:14-17). - A true Christian may only marry a true Christian (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
- The Christian has been called out of darkness (1 Pet. 2:9), but unbelievers are still in the “dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13).
- One is on the narrow way and the other on Broadway (Matt. 7:13-14).
- Marriage is normally for life, not for eternity, as Mormons teach (Matt. 22:30).
Genesis 24:1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."- Genesis 24:1 Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac."
- Principle—do not take a wife among those far from God..
- The Christian has been called out of darkness (1 Pet. 2:9), but unbelievers are still in the “dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13).
- One is on the narrow way and the other on Broadway (Matt. 7:13-14).
- Marriage is normally for life, not for eternity, as Mormons teach (Matt. 22:30).
Do not look for a spouse among those in a cult or in a dead church, unless the person has risen far above the spiritual level of that church.- Do not look for a spouse among those in a cult or in a dead church, unless the person has risen far above the spiritual level of that church.
- Unless you are both reborn of God, you will look at life entirely differently. Your perceptual grids will be in opposition. One will filter decisions through a biblical grid, and the other through a different one—what will work, what satisfies self, or an outlook based upon another error.
- The Roman Catholic church has taught that sex was for procreation (to produce children), rather than for recreation between husband and wife. The Song of Solomon makes clear that sexual ecstasy is to be sought within marriage (see chapter 7). Principle—do not take a wife among those far from God.
Ask for God’s direction. Abraham’s chief servant asked for a sign from God to identify the future wife of his master’s son Isaac.- Ask for God’s direction. Abraham’s chief servant asked for a sign from God to identify the future wife of his master’s son Isaac.
- NIV Genesis 24:14 May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-- let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.“
- NIV James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Look for a spouse who fears the Lord, not primarily for a physically handsome or beautiful person.- Look for a spouse who fears the Lord, not primarily for a physically handsome or beautiful person.
- Proverbs 31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
- Yet there does need to be physical attraction—a physical “chemistry.” If there is none, we will face great sexual temptations.
- Proverbs 5:15-19 15 Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. 16 Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. 18 May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19 A loving doe, a graceful deer--may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.
Look for someone who is sexually pure- Look for someone who is sexually pure
- Rachel was a virgin. If “Becky” has sex with “Bob,” Becky could pick up a disease with anyone Bob has ever gone to bed with.
- If the person broke God’s sexual standards before marriage, what is to keep the person from breaking the commandment against adultery?
- Also everyone would want a wife who has not been defiled by the lust of another man, outside of marriage.
- If the person committed fornication before becoming a Christian, and has been celibate since then, it is a different, but not completely different situation. Those sins can still interfere with marriage as images and comparisons may come to mind. I have a Christian friend in his sixties who still regrets the interference that premarital sex is causing him.
Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."- Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
- Look for a wife who can help you. Look for a woman who is strong where you are not, so that as one, you will face the world far more “whole.” Are you introverted—probably an extroverted woman will help you socially. Are you fearful—look for someone for whom fear isn’t a weakness.
- If you are female, look for a man who you can help, and who will allow you to help him. Also look for a man who wants to see you develop the gifts that God has given you.
Spiritual and natural laws are in harmony.- Spiritual and natural laws are in harmony.
- When spiritual laws are broken, there are penalties in time as well are in eternity. A thousand years before Christ physical and emotional penalties followed sexual sins (Prov. 5:11-12).
- STD’s aren’t transmitted within a mutually monogamous marriage, reflecting His blessing of the marriage bed.
Adultery- Adultery
- He warns adulterers (those married who have sex outside of marriage) and fornicators (the unmarried having sex) that they will be punished with hell, apart from repentance and faith in Christ (1 Cor. 6:9-10, 18).
- God sees all our sexual behavior, even in darkness (Prov. 5:21)--as He did King David’s (2 Sam. 12:9).
This begins in the heart, by watching another’s partner (Prov. 4:23; 6:25; Matt. 15:19), or watching a virgin (Job 31:1).- This begins in the heart, by watching another’s partner (Prov. 4:23; 6:25; Matt. 15:19), or watching a virgin (Job 31:1).
- We make provision for the flesh (Rom. 13:12-14) when we allow unholy liberties with our eyes, including what we see on TV, videos, the Web and in magazines and books.
- This is self-destructive behavior (Dr. Laura Schlesinger), because it cannot be satisfied within the will of God.
- Pornography offends the spouse and puts ungodly pressure on the sexual relationship.
If you’re unmarried and cannot control yourself, marry (1 Cor. 7:9).- If you’re unmarried and cannot control yourself, marry (1 Cor. 7:9).
- However, marriage obviously doesn’t solve the problem of illicit sexual relations or there would be no adultery (Bill Gothard).
- A joyful marriage—including rejoicing in each other sexually—is perhaps the best antidote (Prov. 5:15-19, Song of Solomon 4).
A single Christian finds completion in Christ, just as does any other Christian (Col. 2:9-10). - A single Christian finds completion in Christ, just as does any other Christian (Col. 2:9-10).
- Singleness doesn’t mean incompleteness, just as marriage doesn’t necessarily mean completeness. The foundation of identity is Christ (Phil. 1:21).
- You can be single and happy and married and miserable.
- But God didn’t institute marriage for misery’s sake. If we obey His and depend upon His love (Rom. 5:5), it can be the most beautiful, and exciting human relationship.