Marriage. And Sex Outside of Marriage

 

 

Marriage is ordained by God as a sacred union between a man and a woman. The Bible states, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh' (Genesis 2:24). This union is not merely social or civil; it is a spiritual covenant that reflects Christ’s relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32).

 

Within this covenant, sex is celebrated as a gift from God, intended to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage. The writer of Hebrews instructs, 'Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers' (Hebrews 13:4). Sexual intimacy outside of marriage, including fornication and adultery, is consistently condemned throughout Scripture.

 

Paul warns against sexual immorality in his first letter to the Corinthians, 'Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body' (1 Corinthians 6:18). Furthermore, he explains that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we are to glorify God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

The consequences of disobeying God’s plan for sexual purity are evident throughout the Bible. From David’s tragic affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) to the severe warnings against adultery in Proverbs (Proverbs 6:32-33), Scripture illustrates the spiritual, emotional, and societal damage caused by sexual sin.

 

Yet, God’s mercy is profound. Even those who have sinned sexually can find forgiveness and a new start through Jesus Christ. As Paul states, 'Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God' (1 Corinthians 6:11). We are called to live in purity, not by our power, but through the Holy Spirit within us.

 

As we honor marriage and commit to purity, we give glory to God who has established these holy ordinances. 'Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ' (Ephesians 1:3). Let us live in such a way that our lives glorify Him and reflect His truth. Amen.

 

 

 

Referenced Scriptures (LSB):

 

Genesis 2:24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

 

Ephesians 5:31-32, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”

 

Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.”

 

2 Samuel 11 - (David and Bathsheba narrative)

 

Proverbs 6:32-33, “He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.”

 

1 Corinthians 6:11, “Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

 

Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”