SEX. It's on billboards and TV, in magazines and movies. Advertisers use it to sell us their goods. It's in the music we listen to, and floods the internet. Sex is suggested by style of dress. It's been used to destroy the innocence and has made a mess of way too many lives.

Sex is definitely here to stay. Easy to get, anytime with whomever, no commitment, and no responsibility.

But sex has come a long way from the original design God intended. That's right - believe it or not, sex was designed by God. He created men and women different physically for the purpose of sexual intimacy. Although one purpose for the sexual relationship is for bringing children into the world, God also planned for sex to be pleasurable.

Everything that God created has purpose. But it also has order. God's design for sex, then, must be enjoyed within the boundaries of marriage, love, and a lifetime of commitment. Beyond this, sex results in confusion, conflict and chaos.

Outside of marriage, sex does not build up self-worth, but rather destroys it. Those who use it as currency to "buy" things they want emotionally or physically end up bankrupt. Couples who choose not to wait until marriage bring the weight of guilt, loss of respect, and mistrust into their relationship.

Sex that is practiced outside of God's plan has long term consequences, like the heartache of unwanted pregnancies, abortion, rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Then there is the long list of tragic sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

God's design for sex is something quite the opposite and a whole lot better! Those who wait until marriage not only avoid the dangers of premarital sex, they are also setting themselves up for a lifetime of discovery, satisfaction, and fulfillment within marital love. And that's something worth waiting for!

Prayer:

Loving Father, I thank You for creating me with purpose and order. Today I choose to live my sexual life in accordance with Your plans and will keep myself pure until marriage. Keep me from impure thoughts and temptations and help me to make right choices based on Your Word and to not be influenced by what I hear and see in the world around me.