According to this study, 58 percent of Americans think there is nothing wrong with premarital sex. This type of attitude has been becoming more prevalent since the 1970s and "the psychologists argue that these trends suggest that Americans are ever more willing to throw over traditional strictures, including those related to sex. In general, Americans have become more sexually permissive, both in outlook and practice."
Another survey in 2002, indicated "that by age 20, 77% of respondents had had sex, 75% had had premarital sex, and 12% had married; by age 44, 95% of respondents (94% of women, 96% of men, and 97% of those who had ever had sex) had had premarital sex. Even among those who abstained until at least age 20, 81% had had premarital sex by age 44" which concluded that "almost all Americans have sex before marrying."
Furthermore, according to this article, "American's acceptance of sexual immorality is growing, according to a Gallop report." Specifically the article states that "The largest increase in moral acceptability from 2001 to 2015 was for homosexual relations, which increased 23 percentage points, from 40 to 63 percent. That was followed by having a baby outside of marriage (45 to 61 percent), heterosexual sex outside of marriage (53 to 68 percent), divorce (59 to 71 percent), and polygamy (7 to 16 percent)." Additionally, "Christians who support same-sex marriage are more likely to support other types of sexual immorality, such as premarital cohabitation, "no-strings-attached" sex, abortion, and viewing pornography."
And if that isn't enough, according to the CDC, even though "fewer teens and young adults are having oral sex compared to previous rates...more teens are still engaging in oral sex than vaginal intercourse, which health officials say is not as safe as some young adults may think."
As I read these headlines and study the statistics, it saddens me. More and more people are falling away from the truth when it comes to sexuality. Something God has created to be special in a marriage between one man and one woman continues to be corrupted and perverted. The issue of sexual immorality is not new, however just in a short number of years one can see a downward shift in moral attitudes towards sex, marriage and relationships. There are several reasons that contribute to the change of heart toward sexual immorality, much of it having to do with our education and medical systems.
Although some education systems teach abstinence, some also teach ways to reduce pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is like parents I have heard say, "It's best to wait until you are married, but if you just can't wait, use a condom or take birth control." Sadly parents are thinking they are helping when in the end they are enabling and condoning their children in partaking in relations that are not in their best interest (physically or spiritually). Our medical systems have achieved significant improvements in research for STDs (how to contract them and avoid them) as well as preventative measures for pregnancy. Although this information can be good, it still enables attitudes of thinking it's no big deal as long as I take "the pill" or "use protection." Sadly, our medical systems have even reported it is lower risk of contracting STDs and 100% prevention of pregnancy when having oral sex. This information again contributes to the thought that this is better than regular intercourse. There are many other opinions on the topics of premarital sexual relations and relationships, however opinions of man are...well, just that - opinions. Let us examine the fact of the matter as it pertains to God's Word.
According to Galatians 5:19 - fornication is a work of the flesh, not of the Holy Spirit. What is fornication? The Greek word for fornication in this scripture text is porneia which according to Thayer's dictionary means:
Lastly, where I think most premarital relationships today are violating God's expectations is found in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 where Paul writes, "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." How many intimate relationships practice not touching each other (with sexual intentions)? I would venture to say not many. In fact most premarital relationships couples can't keep their hands off of each other. Due to the decline of morals in our society over the last 30+ years we have been conditioned into thinking nothing is wrong with dating and some making out. However this is not in accordance with God's design for this type of relationship. Only in a marriage between one man and one woman is this ever condoned in God's eyes. This is why God's Word says in Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
And if that isn't enough, according to the CDC, even though "fewer teens and young adults are having oral sex compared to previous rates...more teens are still engaging in oral sex than vaginal intercourse, which health officials say is not as safe as some young adults may think."
As I read these headlines and study the statistics, it saddens me. More and more people are falling away from the truth when it comes to sexuality. Something God has created to be special in a marriage between one man and one woman continues to be corrupted and perverted. The issue of sexual immorality is not new, however just in a short number of years one can see a downward shift in moral attitudes towards sex, marriage and relationships. There are several reasons that contribute to the change of heart toward sexual immorality, much of it having to do with our education and medical systems.
Although some education systems teach abstinence, some also teach ways to reduce pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is like parents I have heard say, "It's best to wait until you are married, but if you just can't wait, use a condom or take birth control." Sadly parents are thinking they are helping when in the end they are enabling and condoning their children in partaking in relations that are not in their best interest (physically or spiritually). Our medical systems have achieved significant improvements in research for STDs (how to contract them and avoid them) as well as preventative measures for pregnancy. Although this information can be good, it still enables attitudes of thinking it's no big deal as long as I take "the pill" or "use protection." Sadly, our medical systems have even reported it is lower risk of contracting STDs and 100% prevention of pregnancy when having oral sex. This information again contributes to the thought that this is better than regular intercourse. There are many other opinions on the topics of premarital sexual relations and relationships, however opinions of man are...well, just that - opinions. Let us examine the fact of the matter as it pertains to God's Word.
According to Galatians 5:19 - fornication is a work of the flesh, not of the Holy Spirit. What is fornication? The Greek word for fornication in this scripture text is porneia which according to Thayer's dictionary means:
- illicit sexual intercourse
- adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
- sexual intercourse with close relatives; Leviticus 18
- sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mark 10:11-12
- metaphorically the worship of idols
- of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols
In a time such as this, where most Americans do not see much of an issue with premarital sex, homosexuality, cohabitation, and the like, this message from Galatians 5 is not popular today. However let's consider the message when Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians, it was not popular then either. There are many people who claimed to be Christians that were participating in sexually immoral acts and relationships. I am sure there were many people then just as their is today that either ignored it, did not think it is applicable to them, or thought it was only an opinion of man. Even sadder is there were probably people then just as today that thought they were exempt somehow from the requirement to abstain from sexual immorality. At least in today's culture, it appears many people just assume everyone in a relationship is having sex or at least some form of sexual activity. There is a reason for that, based on the statistics, it is probably true most of the time.
Regardless of what the culture says about it, sexual immorality is wrong and sinful. I would go so far as even to say most premarital relationships today are violating God's expectations. To start, Christians are told in Ephesians 5:3, "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;" Fornication or sexual immorality is not to be even named against a Christian, much less Christians participating in such things. Also, most people do not exhibit self control when it comes to sexual temptations and that is why Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." Paul understood the temptations with sexual passions, therefore if one could not control themselves, it was better to marry each other than to burn in Hell from committing sexual sins.
Lastly, where I think most premarital relationships today are violating God's expectations is found in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 where Paul writes, "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." How many intimate relationships practice not touching each other (with sexual intentions)? I would venture to say not many. In fact most premarital relationships couples can't keep their hands off of each other. Due to the decline of morals in our society over the last 30+ years we have been conditioned into thinking nothing is wrong with dating and some making out. However this is not in accordance with God's design for this type of relationship. Only in a marriage between one man and one woman is this ever condoned in God's eyes. This is why God's Word says in Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
Many today will consider this message old fashioned, out-of-date, and not applicable. Many will continue to do what they want to do regardless of what God's Word says. More sadly though, people who profess to be a Christian will make excuses for various types of sexual immorality, whether it be sexual intercourse, oral sex, homosexuality, friends with benefits, or even cohabitation. There are many excuses under the sun to justify sin, however God will never justify sin. The only thing God will justify is a person who repents of their sin with Godly sorrow with all intentions to abstain from that sin.
Consider the following popular excuses people, even Christians, use to justify sexual immorality in their life. These excuses were borrowed from http://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-immorality.html.
The following are some common objections to God’s commands against sexual immorality:
1. It’s not wrong if we love each other. The Bible makes no distinction between “loving” and “unloving” sexual relations. The only biblical distinction is between married and unmarried people. Sex within marriage is blessed (Genesis 1:28); sex outside of marriage is “fornication” or “sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 7:2–5).
2. Times have changed, and what was wrong in biblical times is no longer considered sin. Most of the passages condemning sexual immorality also include evils such as greed, lust, stealing, etc. (1 Corinthians 6:9–10;Galatians 5:19–21). We have no problem understanding that these other things are still sin. God’s character does not change with culture’s opinion (Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8).
3. We’re married in God’s eyes. This argument implies that God is cross-eyed. The fallacy of this idea is that the God who created marriage in the first place would retract His own command to accommodate what He has called sin. God declared marriage to be one man and one woman united for life (Mark 10:6–9). The Bible often uses the imagery of a wedding and a covenant marriage as a metaphor to teach spiritual truth (Matthew 22:2;Revelation 19:9). God takes marriage very seriously, and His “eyes” see immorality for what it is, regardless of how cleverly we have redefined it.
4. I can still have a good relationship with God because He understands. Proverbs 28:9 says, “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” We fool ourselves when we think that we can stubbornly choose sin and God does not care. First John 2:3–4 contains a serious challenge for those who persist in this line of thinking: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”
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