RECREATIONAL SEX
Every person has two basic sides to his nature. We refer to these two sides as "physical and spiritual", "human and divine", "natural and spiritual" or "flesh and spirit". Whatever you choose to call it, we all have it.
The New Testament writer, Paul, describes how these two "natures" interact. They fight each other. In Romans chapter 7, he illustrates the "war" that rages within each one of us. Summed up, he says, "There is a part of me (controlled by feelings) that wants to do wrong and there is part of me (controlled by knowledge) that wants to do right. These two are constantly fighting each other and it makes me miserable." Have you ever had these feelings?
Each of us regularly makes decisions which determine what rules our life - our mind or our feelings. A popular song puts it into words, "How Can This Be Wrong When It Feels So Right?" Listen to the song and you will realize that it's talking about adultery! Does that illustrate my point? Which nature is controlling someone who lives by the adage, "If it feels good, do it!"?
A biblical perspective of human sexuality can be stated fairly simply: God created mankind male and female with a natural appetite for sex. The human sexual relationship was God's idea and most of us think it was a good one. But God also designed the environment in which these appetites are to be satisfied. When exercised within a marriage relationship, this is the most intimate, unifying relationship on this earth. When removed from the marriage relationship it results in exactly the opposite of that for which it was designed. Rather than contentment and unity, it brings guilt and the feeling of "being used". Rather than an expression of unity, it is purely selfish.
Sex is not wrong, it is right. But when it is removed from marriage, it becomes a destructive perversion. Fire is good. . . unless it is misused - then it becomes destructive. Drugs are good . . . alcohol is good. . . unless they are abused (removed from their intended purpose) then they become destructive.
God condemns sex outside of marriage - fornication, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, etc. We foolishly make jokes about it. God doesn't laugh. Listen to his warning:
"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers or swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (I Corinthians 6:9-10).
Those who are concerned about pleasing God need to realize that our lives cannot be controlled by our "human nature". (Notice that when we use the phrase "That's just human nature", we are trying to justify something we know to be wrong!) Romans 8:8 says, “Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God."
Has our sexual revolution brought us to a point that America cannot return to God and morality?