It's funny how people react to my declaration of abstinence: slacked mouths, bucked eyes and (yes)shaking heads. I've become the brunt of jokes, the receiver of rejection and (I'm sure) the topic of many discussions. To most of us, sex is essential to life - like air, food and water - and even the thought of going without can make the strongest among us tremble. But there is one thing opposers say that I agree with: not having sex is "unnatural." Wellll, yeah . . .
Not fulfilling my flesh's desire is VERY UNnatural, because the desire itself is carnal, i.e. of the flesh . . .NATURAL. In Galatians 5's listing of the manifestations of the flesh, sexual immorality is dealt with first (adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness) and I am commanded not to give in to the desires of the flesh but to be clothed in Christ (Rom 13.14). Yet - even in the church - fornication is seen as okay, just a minor infraction. Something that God understands and has to forgive.
Yet, when a girl or woman gets pregnant outside of marriage, or two men decide they want to be together, or you see the preacher gambling away the offering, or the Sunday school teacher cusses somebody out . . . we grab our chests in disbelief. We talk about the person who hasn't been to church since Easter and roll our eyes at the dope smokers and club hoppers, but we sit next to our live-in mates every Sunday on the third pew and never even flinch. All because somewhere along the way the world's view of sexuality replaced what the Word says about it in the hearts of believers.
The Word says that none of us who practice unrighteousness will join in His Kingdom
(1Cor 6.9-10). And this passage lists more than just homosexuals, thieves and liars - the sexually immoral are included, too. Rev 21.8 says that not only will the unbelieving have a place in hell, but so shall the whore mongers. So, if the Bible tells us sex outside of marriage is wrong, why do believers think it's okay? Did I miss the memo God sent overriding His Word? NO! God doesn't change (Mal 3.6a) and neither do His principles for our lives.
So, I take a stand for God and His Word. I choose to honor Him with my body by abstaining from sex while I am single. I will be tempted and my fleshly desires will rise up, but I will "stay awake and pray for strength against temptation" (Matt 26.41) and God has promised me a way of escape (1Cor 10.13). Yes, even after two babies and years of indulgence, I embrace redemption and change. And, yes, even if He never allows me to be married, I will live out my life for Christ. Do you really think He won't give me the power to do it?
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