Timeless Wisdom From ProverbsSample

God loves sex. If that seems sacrilegious to you, then think about this: Who invented sex? Can’t you picture God thinking, I’ve got an idea for what would be really fun? Not only did God dream up the idea of sex, but He also designed the equipment for sex. God created sex so there could be a oneness between a man and a woman.

Sex is not the result of the Fall; it is the result of God’s creativity. It’s a marvelous gift from God that comes with only one instruction: “Use as directed.” And the primary direction God gives us about sex is this: Sex is to occur only within the marriage relationship.

Why is sex outside of marriage so devastating? Let me mention three ways that sexual immorality destroys a person.

First, there is a physical cost to sex outside of marriage. Millions of people suffer from sexually transmitted diseases that are spread primarily by sex outside the marriage relationship.

Second, there is also a financial cost to sexual immorality. Proverbs 6:26 (NASB95) says, “On account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread.” After a divorce, many people experience a lower standard of living due to attorney’s fees, the division of assets, and the expense of keeping two households.

Third, there is an emotional cost to sex outside of marriage. For a while, sneaking around and having a private sexual relationship can feel exciting. Solomon was right when he said in Proverbs 9:17(NASB95), “Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” I think it is an error when those of us who teach the Word of God claim that sin is not pleasurable. Of course there’s pleasure in sin … for a while! In Proverbs 5:3–4 (NASB95), Solomon said, “The lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.” The excitement that comes from sexual immorality is soon replaced by bitterness.

It is deceitful to think that sex outside of marriage is better than God’s design. The truth is, a person who is sexually immoral is “lacking sense” (Proverbs 6:32).