Love, Sex, and Intimacy
Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:8
This scripture is obviously for married couples. The church often stays away from this topic of sexual intimacy. However, the world has much to say about it, so we should too! Everywhere you turn (especially on tv), sexual content or sexual innuendos have polluted our lives with lies about sex.
Because the world has gone so far into the sinfulness of sex outside of the marriage between a husband and wife, the church seems to have the message that all sex is wrong. However, God created the wonderful gift of intimacy through sex to be enjoyed the right way – by a husband and wife. There isn’t anything sinful within those confines, except for pornography and consensual adultery. You don’t need the world’s ideas to spice things up in the bedroom. Instead, ask God for wisdom. Does He really want to give us wisdom concerning how to have great sex? You bet! The creator of it knows best!
As I said in yesterday’s devotion, you should make it a goal to please your partner – serving one another. Sexual intimacy is a beautiful way to serve your spouse. It should never be used to control each other, whether to give more sex or deprive the other as a form of punishment. (Women can be good at that one.) But this special gift should be used to bless one another. Allow yourselves to be vulnerable with each other – that’s when true intimacy happens.
Dear Lord, thank you for the beautiful gift of sex in my marriage. Help us serve one another to the best of our ability in this area. Amen.