Sexuality and intimacy: A biblical perspective

What does the Word of God say about intimacy, sexual immorality and holding each other accountable?

Sexuality and intimacy seem to have lost their true sanctity as a result of how these have been redefined by worldly perspectives through conventional media platforms. This is a topic God is not shy about. Scripture is clear on what He expects of us when it comes to this aspect of our lives and the consequences of these actions.

God calls men and women to pursue holiness, guard the marriage bed and do all things to His glory including dating, pursuing sexual purity, marrying, and making love. God calls men and women to protect and serve one another in complementary ways.

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What the Word says about Sexual Immorality

God gives us clear direction in His Word.

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

In fact, the instruction continues with a very definite and clear emphasis to deal harshly with things like sexual immorality. The Word is also clear that what was acceptable before is not now that you are a child of God.

So put to death the parts of your life that belong to the earth, such as sexual immorality, moral corruption, lust, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). The wrath of God is coming upon disobedient people because of these things. You used to live this way, when you were alive to these things. But now set aside these things, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene language… and put on the new nature, which is renewed in knowledge by conforming to the image of the one who created it.

Colossians 3:5-8,10

Holding each other accountable

Sex has been a taboo type of word for a long time, and you will hardly hear about the subject in a Sunday sermon. It would likely have church members turn cold from their ears to their toes. Regardless, the world is teaching and encouraging immorality while the church keeps quiet.

We need leaders who can encourage us to remain faithful in this matter. We need to encourage each other to remain devoted to the holy lifestyle God has called us to lead. [Proverbs 27:17; Galatians 6:1-2; James 5:16]

It will likely get uncomfortable; offence is guaranteed, and anyone could fumble at any moment. This is why it is good to have each other in our lives to gently (or sometimes tough-lovingly) admonish, correct and guide us back in the right direction. These are things that form part of being members of the Christian Family.

This article is from the programme, Brandpunt, which facilitates discussions about controversial everyday Christian topics affecting believers worldwide.