We’re not the first Christians to live in a highly sexualized culture.  In fact, many of the first New Testament Christians lived in exactly that kind of culture.  Over and over again the apostles warn against sexual immorality.  They had to do that because the draw was so strong.  It was normal behaviour in the world around them.  So, to direct God’s people in the right way, Paul told the Roman Christians, “Let us walk properly as in the daytime…not in sexual immorality and sensuality…” (Rom.13:13).  He told the Ephesian Christians, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.”

The question then is:  were these commands unrealistic ideals the Holy Spirit was holding out?  Are they just nice ideas that no one can actually follow?  The truth is that Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit and relying on his strength, have the ability to follow these commands.  The Holy Spirit gives a Christian the ability to say no to sexual immorality and yes to God’s ways of purity and holiness.  If we should in weakness fail to do what is right, the Holy Spirit also then drives us on our knees to repentance.  We hate that sin, we ask God to forgive us through Christ, and we desire to fight against it.  We don’t keep going back to it day after day after day. Read more»
Wes Bredenhof | “Sex Before Marriage: Ideal vs. Reality?” | September 8, 2025

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