God's Sexual Standard

In light of all the attention the topic of sexuality gets in society, I felt it appropriate to share a blog on the issue.  


In terms of right or wrong concerning relationship and sexuality, I will say this. I place my faith and thoughts on God's Word. And, I always refer to the beginning of God's Word to find His original plan. The way I see it is that anything in opposition to God's original plan is that which man has instituted or initiated. The only exception is if God clearly gives an update later in Scripture. The cross becomes our filter. Anything outlined by God in the OT is filtered through the cross and He either removes it (such as sacrifice), modifies it (such as emphasizing our hearts desires rather than just our actions), or the issue is left alone. If something is left alone, then we can understand that God's original plan is still in place. 

In terms of sexuality, God declared in the beginning that He made male and female and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply within the context of marital relationship. That plan was never changed Biblically and therefore anything contrary to that is contrary to God's plan. We don't have the luxury to pick and choose which things we support or speak against. The husband/wife sexual relationship is the most intimate thing given to us by God and it is the most spiritual activity that a married couple can take part in together on this earth. That is the way God has planned and intended. From a biblical standpoint anything outside of that is against God's plan. 

We can understand just how big of a deal this is by reading in the New Testament epistles whenever Paul would address a church or a group about various sinful activities and behaviors. Any time that a list is compiled and presented, the item listed first is the most important and/or most dangerous. A perfect example is Galatians 5 which deals with the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Within the works of the flesh, the first and most dangerous involves sexual sin or that which is contrary to God's intent and plan. The enemy from the beginning has utilized that understanding and has come against God's plan for man. Sexual misconduct even comes in ahead of things such as idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, murder, etc. In fact, for someone that commits adultery, they are literally breaking more than one of the ten commandments. They are adulterers, they are stealing, they are murdering their spouse and the spouse of their adulterous partner, they are dishonoring their father and mother who they left to cleave to their spouse, they are coveting. Throughout Scripture we understand that variation from God's sexual design and intent is a huge attack from the enemy. 

What we deal with in society in terms of fornication, adultery, rape, incest, homosexuality, pornography, and the like is the product of decline and a break from God's will - His good, acceptable and perfect will (Romans 12:2). Many like to speak of God's permissive will, but in reality that just is an attempt to justify what it is we want to do. God will permit us to do what we choose - He gave us free choice. But, that doesn't make it His will. If it doesn't line up with what He said, it is not His will. I don't view that as debatable or even as my opinion. I don't have the luxury of an opinion in terms of dealing with God's Truth. I take the responsibility to Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) very seriously. 

Now, I will say this. The fruit of the Spirit is also introduced with the one of most importance - LOVE. The most essential element is love and it is that love that drives me to always speak the truth and to never get my opinion or feelings involved. Trust me, as a pastor and even as a Christian it would at times be much easier and even much more appealing personally to say what I know people want to hear. However, I cannot do that. I realize I don't always succeed in speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). However, that is always my intent.