The Gift of Sex in a Biblical Institution like Marriage

“So, God created human beings in his image. In the image of God, He created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, ‘Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” – Genesis 1:27-28

God created sex first as a way for a married couple to have children but also for a married couple’s enjoyment. Unfortunately, in society sex is being used in an evil way instead of the way God intended it to be used for. Porn, sex trafficking and having sex out of a biblical institution like marriage distorts sex in a negative way and uses it for evil purposes. Sex that God created as “good” is not being used for good, but is being used to hurt people and families.

When sex is practiced in the way God created it to be, then sex is good. It can be enjoyed like God allowed it to be with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He told them to “have many children and grow in number.” They were able to enjoy sex as a gift that was given to them by God. The enjoyment of sex in marriage is also expressed in The Song of Solomon, especially in chapters 4 and 5. In these chapters, a newlywed couple explores each other’s bodies, expressing words of delight, wonder, and commitment (Song of Solomon 5:1).

Sex in a biblical institution like marriage honors God. What we do with our body matters and is meant to glorify the Lord. For that reason, sex within a marriage is meant to be exclusively between one husband and his wife (1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 7:2). In addition, sex should be loving and other-oriented. Wives and husbands have equal authority over each other’s bodies, and sex is a marital duty of love that both should strive to fulfill for the other (1 Corinthians 7:3-4). When we do, sex honors God and we can experience it with joy.

A prayer for today:

Dear heavenly Father,

What You created sex for is good but is being used for evil. Please help us to treat sex in a godly way and use it for good like You created it to be in the beginning. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy sex in our marriage. We pray for others to experience how You originally created sex and want them to honor sex in a holy way. It is a gift from You for a husband and a wife within a biblical marriage to experience intimacy. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!