Friday, September 17th – 7th Commandment – Flee Sexual Desires

The Bible is up-to-date on sexual matters. Long ago, God warned against adultery and fornica- tion. In effect, He said, “Say no!” Now, in the 20th century with the awful threat of AIDS, many lawmakers, educators, and doctors are agreeing with the Almighty.

The Grand Rapids Press carried an article titled “Abstinence: The New Emphasis in Sex Educa- tion.” It told of 16-year-old Will Heiss, a “peer educator” who challenges younger kids to say no to sexual activity—and they are listening.

Author and campus lecturer Josh McDowell reminded a college audience that the seventh commandment is a gracious provision by God, given for our protection. Josh told of a man who had several sexual relationships. The man later received Christ and met a wonderful woman whom he married. “She’s precious,” confided the man, “but in the intimacy of our marriage I’m haunted by the ‘ghosts’ of those previous affairs.”

God has drawn up some boundaries for sex. In the same way that a river becomes destructive when it leaves its banks, God knows that left unchecked our sexual desires can wreak havoc. So God says to us through this commandment put fences up around your sexual desires and limit your sexual activities. Sex in marriage is a very good thing but sex outside of marriage is destruc- tive, hurtful and it is sin.

Abstinence until marriage is a sure safeguard. It protects the gift of sexual intimacy that is to be enjoyed within a lifelong relationship of commitment and trust. God hates sexual immorality because He has the highest good of men and women at heart.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. God’s commandments were not given to frustrate us but to fulfill us.

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