Jesus’ apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth telling them that in order to avoid fornication, each man should have his own wife and each woman should have her own husband, 1st Corinthians 7:2. Good advice to those in a culture steeped in sensuality.

In another place, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews put it this way:

Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to
be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4

One of the most beautiful facets of the marriage relationship that God expects us to honor, is physical intimacy. He observed for us that it is not good for man to be alone, and so made woman to be man’s perfect counterpart in every way, Genesis2:18-25.

God’s revealed intent for His design is for us to find fulfillment of any natural, normal physical desires we may have, at home, within marriage. He specifically teaches us that rather than looking only to their own needs, both the husband and the wife are to take responsibility for one another.

By God’s design, we are to find fulfillment within marriage, precluding any feeling of necessity to seek fulfillment outside the marriage. This is a sacred trust husband and wife share with one another. Ignoring this most basic principle has lead to a great deal of heartache, pain and guilt for many through the ages.

Around 3,000 years ago, Solomon wrote:

Drink water from your own cistern and fresh water from your own well. Should your springs be dispersed abroad, streams of water in the streets? Let them be yours alone and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; be exhilarated always with her love. For why should you , my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress and embrace the bosom of a foreigner?    Proverbs 5:15-20

As our designer, God understands us. He has given us not only the potential for procreation, but also an instinctive, internal desire to be with someone intimately. The drive that most people have to share their lives intimately with someone of the opposite sex, is clean
and pure and as much from God as is our eternal spirit.

So… stay with His plan! You won’t be sorry.
Marty Kessler