Counsel #4 — Sexual Intimacy

Picture: Counsel #4 — Sexual IntimacyCR 67.1

Morality, purity, and self-control come directly from God—and to reject these concepts is to reject God Himself. He even goes so far as to declare that those who insist on practicing sex outside of marriage will not inherit the kingdom of God. The only way He wants you to experience sex is through a committed, loving marriage between a woman and a man. He longs for your relationship to bring you happiness, not regret.^{[65]https://www.adventistreview.org/archives/2003-1508/story1.html}CR 67.2

If you have been sexually active outside of marriage, God can forgive you and give you a fresh start; you only have to ask Him. He forgave Mary, who had been sexually intimate with various men. With infinite love, He told her, “Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) He can do the same for you.CR 67.3

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God…. Flee sexual immorality.” 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 18 NKJVCR 67.4

“Those who are controlled by their passions cannot be followers of Christ.” Ellen White in Child Guidance, pp. 445, 446CR 67.5

Reflect: If you or the person you are dating pressures the other to be sexually intimate before marriage, that is going against what God has planned for you. What are some ways that you can encourage purity in your relationship?CR 67.6