1 Corinthians, chapter 7, we learn a lot when it comes to dating and marriage. The very first verse speaks out against fornication, which is sex outside of marriage while dating. It also talks about those who cannot control their urges to have sex with their significant other. To these people, he encourages them to consider getting married. That comes in verse 2. Those verses read, “now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:1,2) Isn’t it amazing how this chapter was written around two thousand years ago, but still applies to us today? There are many books that only relate to its timeframe, but the Bible was written differently. You see, God’s Words was written for its own and future generations alike. That is why we can be reading the different chapters and verses and feel very convicted by what it is saying. There are many times that verses like these about courtship and marriage will settle into our hearts, that we may know what we need to do next in life. As for dating, people need to learn to treat one another with respect, which means holding off from any sexual encounters until marriage. But to those people who are unable to resist, they need to pray about getting married. Then, God will help them know what their next steps are in life, either breaking things off or getting married.
In verse 3 of this letter to the Corinthians, Paul taught that each husband needs to show kindness to their wife, as well as each wife doing the same towards their husband. One is not off the hook here, and really if love and respect are in a marriage, then it will flourish and not grow weary. In verse 4 we learn how the husband has power over his wife’s body, but so does the wife. In marriage, advice towards our spouse should be received, especially if it is of God. And when it comes to sex, one spouse should not have to ask for it often and not receive it, but both should be naturally wanting intimacy from each other. Lastly, we are free from thoughts of anger, which lead to arguments, when we are engaged as a couple with God. That means reading the Bible together and praying often. This we learn in verse 5. Paul said, “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” (1 Corinthians 7:3-5) Please ponder upon these verses and the message therein, while letting God do a work on your marriage today. You will not regret this choice. Every marriage can be rejuvenated through God’s mighty hand.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that we will learn to respect the opposite sex, as You respect each one of us also. So often when we are in the midst of dating we let our hormones get out of hand and we do things that we soon regret. We no longer feel the pleasure that we did in the moment, but regret for the filth that we got ourselves in. How we joined ourselves with another person sexually outside of marriage, when we knew that it was fornication and wrong in Your sight. This is like joining our flesh with a harlot and allowing ourselves to no longer be joined with You, but what they offer instead. I know that this was my life before meeting my wife. Because I was far from You, Lord, the lusts of the flesh was all I cared about. Of course, now I know how wrong I was since You are in my life now. It is amazing that You could save a wretch like me, although I should have been cast off long ago into the pits of hell. There was so much shame and guilt built up in my life, even after I got married. Thankfully, You heard my prayers and welcomed me home in Your presence. There is mercy for my lost soul and others. Praise God. Thank You, Jesus. It is my prayer that people will learn to respect one another and keep sex within marriage. But if people cannot resist, that they pray for help and the next steps towards marriage. You can lead anyone on Your righteous path, and also help them have a marriage that is full of love and respect on both sides. I believe this with all my heart. I love You. Amen.
