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Plenty of Christians proclaim a strong belief, read the Word of God, and try to live godly lives. However, when it comes to the bedroom, we may be tempted to base our beliefs on traditional viewpoints about sex, our gut feelings about the issue, or secular teachings about sexuality.
Let’s look at each of these.
I’ve got nothing against tradition per se. If something has been successfully done a certain way for a number of years, we should take notice that we may want to do the same. That’s the basis of the Book of Proverbs—godly people sharing hard-earned wisdom. However, our traditions can get off kilter. After all, Jesus was on a constant mission to rid His people of traditions that didn’t make sense and led to undue burden.
I hear this at times from people who are uncomfortable with Christians talking about sex or advocating things like different positions or oral sex. Or from those who want to stick with the message that men like sex more than women do instead of realizing that women can want and enjoy sex too. It comes from those who continue to promote problematic purity culture messages despite the harm many have reported from this approach.
The basis of their objections seems to be tradition—that traditionally sex was hush-hush, primarily for procreation, a wife’s duty rather than her pleasure, and that maintaining virginity until marriage largely determined one’s sexual worth (especially women). These people likely wouldn’t describe their views as such, but tradition plays a huge part in how they view sex and what they’re comfortable with. To them, anything outside of that realm seems distasteful or even anathema. “Why can’t we do things how we’ve always done them?”
I could easily stand on my soapbox and rant about all of the nice-sounding but somewhat ridiculous sayings our society has spread. Such non-gems as “follow your heart” (see Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-22), “do what feels right” (see Proverbs 14:12; 16:25), and “be true to yourself” (see Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 10:24). It’s a common belief in our society that our minds, hearts, and guts will clue us into the right decisions—that if only we’ll listen to the still voice inside us, we’ll know what’s right.
Sometimes, we even cover our Christian tracks by talking about “having peace” about something — which is fine if your peace is entirely in line with God’s will, but we can misinterpret as well. (“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12)
Of course, we can train ourselves through study of the Bible, time with God and His people, and prayer to have more godly discernment. However, our guts can still get things wrong at times. After all, the apostle Paul’s gut told him to go preach in Bithynia, but he was wrong; an angel had to point him in the right direction of Macedonia (Acts 16:7-10).
The secular world has exploded with information and advice about sexuality. Not to mention aids and products to assist our arousal and satisfaction. Certainly, there are good research studies, quality advice, and helpful aids for marital intimacy. However, there are many horrible ideas and suspect recommendations. It’s fairly easy to spot the horrible stuff, but not as obvious when a suggestion trumpeted by secular society is subtly bad—undermining God’s plan for sexual intimacy or causing damage over a long period of time.
I’ve been disheartened by a few Christian authors and speakers who address sexual intimacy in a way that gives far more credence to psychology and human sexuality experts than their faith. Perhaps lip service is paid to biblical teachings, but as long as something isn’t strictly, word-by-word, forbidden in the Scripture, not much Bible study is involved and sexual experts are taken as the definitive voice.
I’m not arguing with responsible Christians who differ with me, or others, on particular points. I’m simply contrasting those who look at the world through a biblical lens, and those who look at the Bible through a world lens.
God reveals His plan and purpose in His Word—through direct teachings on marriage and sexuality and through instruction on how to honor Him and treat others well.
It took me a long time to realize the importance of starting with God’s truth. When I was sexually sinning prior to my marriage, I was a believer who rationalized my choices. I applied my beliefs to the Bible, not the other way around. Since then, I have time and time again seen the wisdom of setting God’s Word as the foundation for my life, including sexual intimacy.
My interpretation and someone else’s can differ on various theological and practical points, so we may not always reach the same conclusion. However, those who begin with God as their foundation will look first for answers in His Word, they will apply biblical principles to the marriage bed, they will align their sex lives with Christianity and proclaim the Gospel even in the marital bedroom. In doing so, they will reap the rewards of having sown good seeds.
Likely, their sexuality will reflect God’s intention for their lives, their spouses will feel their Christ-centered love, and their marriages will be better for having taken the higher, narrower road.
[This article was originally published on May 14, 2014 but has been edited and updated.]
The post What Is the Foundation for Your Views on Sex? appeared first on Hot, Holy & Humorous.
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Plenty of Christians proclaim a strong belief, read the Word of God, and try to live godly lives. However, when it comes to the bedroom, we may be tempted to base our beliefs on traditional viewpoints about sex, our gut feelings about the issue, or secular teachings about sexuality.
Let’s look at each of these.
The Way It’s Been Done
I’ve got nothing against tradition per se. If something has been successfully done a certain way for a number of years, we should take notice that we may want to do the same. That’s the basis of the Book of Proverbs—godly people sharing hard-earned wisdom. However, our traditions can get off kilter. After all, Jesus was on a constant mission to rid His people of traditions that didn’t make sense and led to undue burden.
I hear this at times from people who are uncomfortable with Christians talking about sex or advocating things like different positions or oral sex. Or from those who want to stick with the message that men like sex more than women do instead of realizing that women can want and enjoy sex too. It comes from those who continue to promote problematic purity culture messages despite the harm many have reported from this approach.
The basis of their objections seems to be tradition—that traditionally sex was hush-hush, primarily for procreation, a wife’s duty rather than her pleasure, and that maintaining virginity until marriage largely determined one’s sexual worth (especially women). These people likely wouldn’t describe their views as such, but tradition plays a huge part in how they view sex and what they’re comfortable with. To them, anything outside of that realm seems distasteful or even anathema. “Why can’t we do things how we’ve always done them?”
What I Feel in My Gut
I could easily stand on my soapbox and rant about all of the nice-sounding but somewhat ridiculous sayings our society has spread. Such non-gems as “follow your heart” (see Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-22), “do what feels right” (see Proverbs 14:12; 16:25), and “be true to yourself” (see Luke 9:23; 1 Corinthians 10:24). It’s a common belief in our society that our minds, hearts, and guts will clue us into the right decisions—that if only we’ll listen to the still voice inside us, we’ll know what’s right.
Sometimes, we even cover our Christian tracks by talking about “having peace” about something — which is fine if your peace is entirely in line with God’s will, but we can misinterpret as well. (“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12)
Of course, we can train ourselves through study of the Bible, time with God and His people, and prayer to have more godly discernment. However, our guts can still get things wrong at times. After all, the apostle Paul’s gut told him to go preach in Bithynia, but he was wrong; an angel had to point him in the right direction of Macedonia (Acts 16:7-10).
Look at All We Now Know About Sex!
The secular world has exploded with information and advice about sexuality. Not to mention aids and products to assist our arousal and satisfaction. Certainly, there are good research studies, quality advice, and helpful aids for marital intimacy. However, there are many horrible ideas and suspect recommendations. It’s fairly easy to spot the horrible stuff, but not as obvious when a suggestion trumpeted by secular society is subtly bad—undermining God’s plan for sexual intimacy or causing damage over a long period of time.
I’ve been disheartened by a few Christian authors and speakers who address sexual intimacy in a way that gives far more credence to psychology and human sexuality experts than their faith. Perhaps lip service is paid to biblical teachings, but as long as something isn’t strictly, word-by-word, forbidden in the Scripture, not much Bible study is involved and sexual experts are taken as the definitive voice.
I’m not arguing with responsible Christians who differ with me, or others, on particular points. I’m simply contrasting those who look at the world through a biblical lens, and those who look at the Bible through a world lens.
The Right Foundation: God, the Creator of Sex
God reveals His plan and purpose in His Word—through direct teachings on marriage and sexuality and through instruction on how to honor Him and treat others well.
It took me a long time to realize the importance of starting with God’s truth. When I was sexually sinning prior to my marriage, I was a believer who rationalized my choices. I applied my beliefs to the Bible, not the other way around. Since then, I have time and time again seen the wisdom of setting God’s Word as the foundation for my life, including sexual intimacy.
My interpretation and someone else’s can differ on various theological and practical points, so we may not always reach the same conclusion. However, those who begin with God as their foundation will look first for answers in His Word, they will apply biblical principles to the marriage bed, they will align their sex lives with Christianity and proclaim the Gospel even in the marital bedroom. In doing so, they will reap the rewards of having sown good seeds.
Likely, their sexuality will reflect God’s intention for their lives, their spouses will feel their Christ-centered love, and their marriages will be better for having taken the higher, narrower road.
[This article was originally published on May 14, 2014 but has been edited and updated.]
The post What Is the Foundation for Your Views on Sex? appeared first on Hot, Holy & Humorous.
Continue reading...
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