Sex in the Bible
God created sex at the very beginning of time when He blessed the marriage of Adam and Eve. Marriage makes the husband and wife “one flesh” and their sexual relationships pure (Genesis 2:24). Between a husband and a wife, the physical intimacy is a blessing and a beautiful expression of love, caring and unity. God commanded Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Thus, sex is God’s gift to a married couple for pleasure and procreation.
Jesus said, “At the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). When the purpose of the Creator is carried out in family life, great benefits are reaped. Solomon said to a married person “drink your fill of love” (Song of Solomon 5:3). Also, Paul taught that, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 16:4).
But sexual activity outside of marriage is called fornication, and it is a sin. The Bible teaches, “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men . . . will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Engaging in physical intimacy without the blessing of marriage is breaking God’s seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). This prohibition covers not only adultery but fornication and sexual impurity of every kind in act, word, and thought (Matthew 5:27, 28).
In our day, when standards of lovemaking are lowered and purity is so commonly regarded as being outmoded, the seventh commandment deserves the attention of every follower of the Lord. Paul admonishes us saying, “it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). All that is contrary to purity of heart, in words and actions, is contrary to the command of God in the Decalogue (Acts 15:29; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3).
Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
