One of the most common devices used by the devil to damage the destinies of single men and women is premarital sex. It is not strange to find those who are in relationships battling with this issue and even those who are not in any relationship can be found also battling with this.
The truth is that sex may be good, it may feel great and it may be exciting BUT God EXCLUSIVELY designed it for the married.The devil has perverted this beautiful creation by God and has made sex a free for all gift and unfortunately, the world has accepted it as the norm.
It is so common that even those who claim to be Bible believing Christians are engaging in physical intimacy before marriage, forgetting that the same Bible clearly states that marriage is honourable when the bed is undefiled (Hebrews 13:4) .
Many have taken the honour out of their marriages by being physically intimate before stepping into the marriage covenant and I tend to tell singles that anyone who wants to sleep with you before marriage is looking for a way to destroy your destiny in Christ; run from such a person as fast as you can.
Say N-O to S-E-X before marriage! Use your courtship days to discuss real things that can affect your future marriage and family.
The response I tend to get is “It is easier said than done”. Agreed! That is why the Bible tells us to flee all appearances of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) . You have to guard yourself against it otherwise you will fall.
How can you do that? It’s important to have healthy boundaries in your relationship (courtship or friendships with the opposite sex) that will keep you pure before marriage. It may be old fashioned but more importantly, it is God’s desire.
Have limits in your relationship; there should be lines that cannot be crossed. Be mindful of how you spend your time with each other and where you spend your time with each other. If your aim is to stay away from sexual temptation (and it should be), don’t put yourself in an environment that promotes it, and don’t watch or listen to anything that would ignite such desires in you.
Please don’t be deceived either, having sex is not what proves that you love a person so don’t fall for it. Don’t follow the patterns of the world. Remember it is God that created sex for marriage and as Christians; it’s time to redeem it.
Anyone who does not respect your standards should not be given the time of day for even a second.
There should be a clear demarcation between real Christians and casual Christians. Aim to have a clean relationship, one that others can look to. Even though it puts you in a minority group, it still proves to others that it is possible.
However, we were more concerned about what God had to say and we had an understanding that a lack of boundaries would only take us to a place that will tarnish our Christian testimony.
Please know that no matter how spiritual you claim to be, it is possible to still fall into temptation if care is not taken. So, you must be vigilant. In the energy of your flesh, it may be tough however; it is doable with God’s help.
Sex before marriage brings unnecessary baggage so please guard yourself against it. Its no wonder the Bible admonishes us to FLEE (run away from; make ones getaway, escape) from it (1 Corinthians 6:18) !
I personally believe that is part of what has helped us build a glorious home so far and it has given us the confidence to show others that it is absolutely possible by the grace of God.
Please set your own standards based on the Word of God to help you maintain a colorful testimony.
If you are in a relationship now, and you are unable to uphold your sexual purity, it would be best for you to end that relationship. Do not give anyone the final say over your destiny. Look to God to help you uphold His expectations of you.
There may be some of you who have already engaged in sexual activity and you may be feeling condemned or you may be feeling that your hope for a glorious marital destiny is lost.
The good news for you is that God is a forgiving God, and when He forgives, He begins with you on a clean slate and makes your life anew. Please ensure you say the prayer below from your heart and allow God to give you the grace to walk in the newness of life.
Ensure that you guard yourself from anything that may try to draw you back. If you have not engaged in premarital sex; good for you; keep going in that direction, and keep drawing on God for help. You will not regret it.
Whichever category you may fall under, please know that to remain on the right pathway and resist any form of temptation, you must maintain a spiritually buoyant lifestyle and to be successful at it, grace is required. It is what would help you discipline your flesh and discipline your spirit.
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