Read 1 Corinthians 6:9–20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are
outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own
body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Having sex outside of marriage is like a man robbing a bank: He gets
something, but it is not his and he will one day pay for it. Sex within
marriage can be like a man putting money into a bank: There are
safety and security, and he will collect dividends.
Paul referred to the creation account to explain the seriousness of
sexual sin (1 Cor. 6:16–17). When a man and woman join their bodies, the entire personality is involved. Paul warned that sexual sin is
the most serious sin a man can commit against his body, for it involves
the whole person (v. 18).
When two people pledge their love and faithfulness to each other,
they lay a strong foundation on which to build. Marriage protects sex
and enables the committed couple to grow in this wonderful experience.
In my pastoral counseling, I have helped married couples whose
relationship was falling apart because of the consequences of premarital sex as well as extramarital sex. The harvest of sowing to the flesh is
sometimes delayed, but it is certain (Gal. 6:7–8). How sad it is to live
with the consequences of forgiven sin.
Something to Ponder
In what ways is sex enriched through marriage?