Saint Stuart
November 9, 2023

Sexual immorality is rampant these days. Pornography, casual sex and all forms of sexual deviancy are a misuse of God’s amazing gift to us. All people have been born through sex between a man and a woman, and ideally those parents raise the person they created to be successful in life, teaching the benefits of morality and the satisfaction of hard work and contributing positively to society.

What are the urges we have that lead us to engage in sexual activity? They are strong feelings, fueled by an appetite of physical desire, but should be controlled and directed in the right way to avoid giving in to sinful behaviour– but why is the engagement of some sexual activity a sin? God’s gift to us must be held in high esteem because it is our only means to perpetuate the human race. Doing so should be done with great preparation by finding the right partner to share in a lifelong dedication of teaching success and morality to children, and having the means to provide for that partner and any children born. With all of that in mind, engaging in sexual activity prematurely is realised as an obvious mistake, and also harmful and risky when generating extremely intimate feelings with someone who is not a dedicated life partner.

Sexual activity feels good and healthy, but it is a strong spiritual bond that will only interfere in the emotional development of two people who have no intention to raise children together, because that is the natural full development of sexual desire. If the right things are in place– the dedication of two people through an act of marriage, vowing before loved ones to support each other for the rest of their lives– then that natural development of sexual activity may safely and very pleasurably come into complete fruition.

A common question is about what a person should do about their sexual urges if they are single and have no intention to marry or raise children. I would recommend considering the self-control of those desires, subduing them with thoughts of wholesome, non-sexual fulfillments. Let the urges turn instead toward noble aspirations, perhaps to strengthen friendships, family relationships or ministry work for the community. Another option is to reflect on the urges and consider that a part of you may actually want to start a family some day, and to realise that the proper development of those urges will spur you toward that great aspiration, leading to further urges to self-improve and become attractive to a potential life partner. Once the realisation is made of how sexual urges should properly be developed through a dedicated life-long marriage, then the control of sexual thought and urges is much more easily handled.

With that in mind, be aware of the spiritual war we can often be in the midst of. The people we daily interact with output spiritual energy, and if inappropriate sexual energy of any kind surfaces, it must be dealt with appropriately. Stick to the conviction of the sacredness and high esteem toward sexual feelings. Sometimes it may be necessary to rebuke a spirit that seems set on sexual harassment. Do so in love, explaining the appropriate life-affirming regard for sexual feelings and the importance of everyone’s right to live sexually pure, undefiled from intrusions of sexual energy.

Above all, thank God for His perfect ways through which through a loving partnership we are born and have parents to be an example of love and dedication. Though we may lose that parental support, God’s fatherly love will guide us to truly fulfilled lives, and we will always have extended family support from those who follow His ways. Hallelujah! Amen.