Week 5 – The Word on Sex (HS)
by: todd veleber
Well we have made it to the last week of our Boy Meets Girl series and my prayer is that this has been helpful for you on many levels. I’ve been pretty clear with my goal from the beginning… I love you enough to talk about this with you. I care about your life and your future and so does God. And I’ve wanted you to see that culture has some powerful messages out there that are really confusing. But God has a very clear message and since He’s the Creator – we can trust His message as truth.
In this series, we’ve talked about love, dating and looked at all of that from the perspective of God’s design and plan and I want to do the same thing when it comes to sex. Remember that I’ve said that God says one thing and that the culture has a totally opposite message for you. What you need to understand is that God is saying, “The emotional effects of sex, the consequences, the long term reaction to sex, how I’ve wired you it’s a big deal. It’s a powerful issue. I have your best in mind. I have your best at heart.”
God is so clear that his plan for sexuality is for monogamy. We’ve talked a bit about God’s equation: 1+1=1 for life. That means one partner within the committed context of marriage. If you want to see where this all starts look at the beginning of God’s Word in the book of Genesis 2.
God has a good plan for you, for me. He had a good plan for Adam. He says, “Here’s my plan. That you would take this incredibly powerful gift I’m giving you and use it not simply to populate the earth but use it to cement the bond of marriage, of commitment between you. Use it to enjoy one another, to deepen the commitment of your relationship.” That’s what God’s plan for sex inside the boundaries of marriage is all about. And we have to guard it and take care of it. We have to make sure it’s not abused and misused. Remember what we looked at in Hebrews 13:4 where God show us His good plan for this powerful gift called sex.
John Piper is a pastor whom I greatly respect for His Biblical insight and integrity of his personal character. I read some counsel he gave years ago regarding some very practical action steps you can take as a high school student – seeing as you are not married but you obviously have to deal with sexual desires. Some are do’s and some are don’ts but all aim to be positive in that they are intended to help you preserve your purity and freedom from sin. Think about these things in the context of 1 Corinthians 6:13 and remember the truth is God does care about you. He understands how you’re wired because He wired you.
1. Don’t seek sexual gratification through masturbation.
2. Don’t seek sexual satisfaction through touching even if you stop short of sexual intercourse.
3. Avoid unnecessary sexual stimulation.
4. When the stimulation comes and the desire starts give it to Christ.
5. Pray that God would give you strength and a desire to obey Him above all else.
6. Immerse your mind in God’s word.
7. Stay focused on God’s mission.
8. Don’t spend too much time alone.
9. Strive to think of all people in relation to eternity.
10. Resolve to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and He will add to you everything you need sexually.
It all comes down to this: do you believe that God’s way is best and if you do, your best act of worship will be your obedience to Him. It really does change when you start recognizing that I obey God because it’s for my best. Yes, it will require some patience. I know that. Yes, it will require some perseverance. But the truth of the matter is it’s for your best. God loves you so much that He’s put rules and boundaries in life not to harm you or to limit you or to make life a drag. But in order to build you up so that the life that you do live is the most powerful, free, wonderful life that there is. So settle this issue today. Say to God today, “I’m going to pursue your best in the area of my sexuality. I’m going to trust you that your love will fulfill my deepest longings. I’m going to recognize that what you have planned for me is good and I want that.” Let me help you remember it with these verses from Romans 12:1-2.
to think about
* How has culture formed your view of sex? How clear are you on God’s plan and design for sex?
* If God has created your sexual desires, why can’t you satisfy them now? Why do you think He created marriage as the boundaries for those desires?
* The world says it is your body and you can do what you want with it, but what does God’s Word say?
* We talked about God’s amazing grace, forgiveness and healing. If you’ve gone too far or are living with regrets, talk to God about those. Ask for His healing. And as always, confide in a staff member, LIFE Group leader or someone you trust in your life to pray with you and encourage you
