I can remember, when I was in my early teens, watching actor Mike Farrell on The Body Human moralizing about human sexuality.
Although it was a quarter century ago, I clearly recall his twin pearls of wisdom--Sex without love is selfish; and nobody wants an unwanted baby. Sounds like sage advice. Except....
Except that while sex without love is surely selfish, sex without marriage is also a sin. The modernization of morality was well under way in the early 1980s, and the sexual revolution had succeeded in transferring guilt away from fornicators, allowing it to settle temporarily on only those who treated sex as mere sport.
Human sexuality is a gift from God, but one that is intended both to preserve the human race and strengthen the bond between husbands and wives, the family being the backbone of all society (Genesis 2:18-25, Proverbs 5:15-20).
Today, puberty seems to arrive years before one becomes a teenager, and virginity is not only a dirty word, but also a shamefully immature state. It should come as no surprise that Satan, the father of lies, has won so great a victory in altering people's perceptions of sexuality (James 1:12-15).
Sex outside of marriage is sinful, even if the people engaging in intercourse or some lesser form of sexual expression are "in love." "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)
Sitcoms and soap operas paint a different picture, where every teen and college student is hopping from bed to bed, but the Biblical reality has not changed. "Flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22) Implicit in that warning is a reminder that the people we choose as friends, influences, and dates will make a great impact on how we handle sexual urges and social expectations. "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33, NASB)
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality .... For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)
One may argue that sexual chastity will make him stand out among his peers who are both doing it and talking about it. Honestly, they are probably talking more than doing, but the fact that moral purity makes you stand out is by design--God's design. "Flee sexual immorality .... glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
A sexual relationship of any form, measure, or description is sinful outside of marriage. Wait!
Sadly, our world has gone "sex crazy," and our young people are paying the price. Sexual enticement is apparent everywhere--billboards, television, movies, music, dress, and on computers. The world may have changed its mind concerning premarital sex, but don't be deceived, God has not! Any sexual conduct outside of the marriage bed is sinful and brings God's wrath on the unrepentant. Please don't be fooled by a moment of pleasure that could ruin and bring much heartache into your life. Don't rush things; wait-you'll be glad you did. (KMG)