Do You Think Sex Is Something Special?

Christian values are becoming obsolete in today's society.

A recent report from the Witherspoon Institute caught my attention and also saddened my heart. According to research done in November of 2018, permissive sexual attitudes and practices continue to be prominent in today's culture.

The research clearly indicates that individuals between the ages of twenty and sixty either claiming to be unreligious (agnostics, atheists and nones) or Christian (Catholics and Evangelicals) have become cozy with sexual sins.

Lust, fornication, adultery, polyamory, pornography... all seem to be fair game in today's culture if you believe the data trend lines which show a steady increase in the acceptance or approval of unchaste behavior.

Talk about depressing.

What exactly is a sexual sin you might ask?

It is any behavior that does not maintain the purpose of the powers of life and love placed in you by God. Put into Church context, a sexual sin is an offense against the sixth commandment, thou shalt not commit adultery.

Single people reading this might be tempted to click away because they think, I can't commit adultery. I am NOT married. Trust me, you can disrespect the sixth commandment as a single person because this is a command which encompasses the whole of human sexuality. All you have to do is let your heart stray from God's plan for sexuality and you are on the wrong side of the line.

Here's what's sad. Most individuals (single and married) don't understand issues surrounding the whole of human sexuality. Many people avoid learning what the Church teaches because they perceive that the language used by Church is highbrow and thus, difficult to understand. Okay, I can empathize with that.

It can be hard to decipher key Church teachings and come to an understanding of God's beautiful plan for sexuality. But, let's be honest. This is not a valid reason to jettison Church teaching. Rather, it is the reason to begin your study.

So where do you start with finding the truth about human sexuality?

Begin with the Bible. God has plenty to say about sexuality, beginning with the book of Genesis and ending with the book of Revelation. He teaches us that we are made either male or female, that genital expressions are designed to bring forth new life and bond spouses to each other, and that relations with someone other than your spouse is a big no no.

Next, read the documents of the Church which elucidate God's beautiful plan for human love. Encyclicals and letters are cliff notes prepared by Popes and Bishops that provide the basics in short, easy to read formats. Anyone can access these great documents by simply clicking a link.

Next reality check: people don't step away from God's teaching on sexual expression because they can't find out what the Church professes. That isn't really the issue today. My experience leads me to believe that most people step away from Church teachings for another reason; it is too hard to do what the Church asks.

You know this to be true.

Being chaste in this culture is VERY demanding. Governing your passions rather than become a slave to them, maintaining your soul's purity despite your body's longings, and permeating your sense appetite with reason instead of raw reactions is really hard work. Who would intentionally choose any of that?

The people who think sex is special choose chastity. Like God, they believe that the Creator's design for sex is full of meaning and beauty. They honor God's command that any genital sexual expression (in either your heart or in your action) can only be right and good between a husband and wife in a marriage that professes love and life. They believe and agree that sex is only special in this context. They do it God's way.

What is your view of sex? Is it really something special to you or is it just another encounter as commonplace as a hug or handshake? Is sex full of meaning to you or meaningless? Think about it. Pray about it.