There is a lot of sexual sin in the church, a lot. It seems to be spreading and reaching into new categories that were taboo in previous decades. How does a Christian navigate these waters and remain pure? Paul makes it simple and very clear for married couples: do not deprive one another lest you give in to temptation because of lack of self-control. Sadly, I’ve found that this is the predominant issue regarding most sexual sin, and it isn’t even close.
1 Corinthians 7:5
“Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Be On Your Guard
Too many Christian couples use sex as a manipulative tool. Women withhold it because they don’t like how their husbands are acting, and men force themselves on their wives because they have allowed their eyes to get them so riled up. Paul tells the couples to stop depriving one another of sexual intimacy because it opened each other to temptation, and they didn’t have enough self-control to resist. Satan uses this to tear marriages and families apart. Couples need to. be on their guard against this.
Get It Fixed
What do you do if your relationship is broken? You want to obey this verse, but it is too painful. You need to get help, even if your husband won’t go? Go by yourself. Meet with a Godly woman like your Pastor’s wife or a counselor. Let them sift through your story and then listen to their wisdom and advice. You need their support and wisdom in processing through your issues.
Do Not Deprive One Another
A Christian couple that is in alignment when it comes to intimacy is a powerful force to help other couples avoid temptation. If you aren’t in alignment, get together as a couple and work through the issues. There are couples that are dying on the vine because they are depriving each other. The church needs to see healing in this realm so that its focus can be back on Jesus.