"Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked,"is it best for people not to marry." (1Corinthians 7:1. CEV).
What does the word abstinence mean?
It means to refrain; to decide not to do something or to stay away from for a particular period always with a reason for doing so.
What is sex?
Pastor E.A.Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in his book, " To Have And To Hold Forever" decribes or defines sex in the following words:
"Sex is a marital act by which a couple demonstrate their love to each other. It generates pleasure and mutual satisfaction. It is an obligatory act in marriage which is essential for the health of body and soul."
In the time past, the issue or things related to sex are not freely discussed. You rarely hear of anything about sex then.
However, in today's world with the wave of the so called civilization and the exposure of young people to internet pornographic site as well as sexually explicit movies on paid cable television network, sex is more freely discussed.
There is a need for us to know what God's says about sex.
And why must we toe this line; it is because the word of God has answers to everything in the world.
Also, the Word of God created the world including the proper use of sex.
Now if you are ready, let's search the scriptures together and unearth the mind of God concerning the proper use of sex.
The Bible says, " Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked, "Is it best for people not to marry?" (1Corinthian 7:1, contemporary English Bible version ) CEV
"But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband." (1Corinthian 7:2-3, CEV )
Furthermore, it stated that, " A wife belongs to her husband instead of to herself, and a husband belongs to his wife instead of to himself. So don't refuse sex to each other, unless you agree not to have sex for a while, inorder to spend time in prayers. Then Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control." (1Corinthian 7:4-5, CEV)
The above scriptural references are fairly long but it is necessary to have a proper view and understanding of what sex is meant for and who are bound to practice such..
The summary of the above Bible texts is that sexual intimacyas allowed by God is meant to be for married couple (couples are properly married and not those co-haunting).
In the next and concluding part, we shall examine the reasons why Christian Singles must not engaged in pre-marital sex.
Stay blessed
Your friend,
LAWRENCE, SOLOMON BAMIDELE
