In the Bible, we learn a lot when it comes to dating and marriage. How fornication is a sin, which is sex outside of marriage. This type of passion can be controlled while we are courting our future spouse. The Holy Spirit is what helps us not fall into this temptation. Those who cannot control their urges to have sex with their significant other, should see their pastor. He may encourage them to get married if a woman is pregnant, or if they cannot wait to have sex. Paul wrote on this and said, “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) It is fascinating that this chapter was written nearly two thousand years ago. This teaching was relevant then and for us today. The words in the Bible are a road map for our lives. That’s why we can read different chapters and verses and feel convicted by what it is saying. Like in Paul’s message, the thoughts of courtship and marriage may come into our minds. This will help us know how to treat one another with love and respect. This 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. God wants to help us make the right decisions in life. This can be breaking things off or getting married, after much prayer. It is important to let God lead us by the hand.
Paul taught that each husband should show kindness to their wife. Each wife is also instructed to do the same thing to their husband. Either spouse is not off the hook here. If love and respect is in a marriage, then it will flourish and not grow weary. The husband has power over his wife’s body according to scripture, but so does the wife over her husband. Learn to listen and accept each other’s advice, especially if it is from God. And when it comes to sex, one spouse should not have to ask for it often and not receive it. Both people should naturally want intimacy in their lives. Lastly, we are free from thoughts of anger, which lead to arguments, when God is at the head of the household. This means reading the Bible as a couple, family, and yourself often. Pray in the same fashion. 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. Allow God to do a work in your marriage. 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 at the moment, but regret for the filth that we got ourselves in. How we wrongfully joined ourselves with another person sexually outside of marriage. Then we immediately realize 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. When I was far from You, Lord, I focused on my fleshly desires. Of course, now I know how wrong I was. 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.
